Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

So I had been on the fence about heading to Florida for some racing, I finally decided the hell with it I'm going . I have never been to Volusia, so Im just trying to get some words of wisdom before I head south . Nothing like an unprepared buckeye in Florida ! Places to eat, stay, and drink would all be appreciated !

Not too many suggestions for the first part as I tend to stay closer to central FLA, just remember to bring warm clothes.  It is beautiful, but even the warmer days tend to get sneaky cold in the citrus groves around the track at night and if you are unprepared, it can make for a miserable experience.  40's may not seem cold when coming from the North, but they feel cold after a 75 degree day.  Cooler nights at Volusia with 410's are an experience though because if the surface has any moisture in it, they are scary fast on that track.

Went  to Volusia several times  about 5 years ago , we stayed in Deland , Fla  , about 20 minutes  to hour possibly , not sure on exact time  to Volusia Speedway . But it was close and the town was nice and small , was a bar and restaurant off the side street near a theatre , that m had great food and Chili , WOW . Hotel was a Best Western in Deland had the old outdoor  room entrances and was reasonable . After races next day we drove down to( New Smyrna ?   beach and looked at beach and track . If you could spare a couple weeks a lot of racing going  on in Feb, between Ocala and Volusia. Take some warm clothes , it can get cold at night . 

I have been going to Volusia   for decades. . There is very little to do in Deland, but if you go about 20-25 MINUTES   east of the track on Route 40, you'll be on the beach in Ormond Beach, where you will find many hotels / motels, restaurants, Bars, convenience stores, etc, etc, as  well as a great beach.  The  hotels / motels do not get full until 3 days prior to the Daytona 500, so you will have many choices and many price options . Deland is about 30-45 minutes ( educated guess ) but I'd recommend  staying in Ormond or Daytona. There is usually practice or other things going on at the Daytona Speedway, and numerous other attractions and college sports going on in Daytona  and area during the day. I have found that more often than not, nights are cool to cold.  The high humidity makes 45 degrees feel like 30.  I just looked at the long range for February in Daytona area and it is showing 65-70 during the days and 40's at night, so bring some winter outerwear. I'll be prparing to fly down for the 34th consecutive year, and will be packing for warm AND cool / cold.

I was thinking I was going to stay somewhere near the beach, I like to have options !

My son and I have been trekking down from Mechanicsburg, Pa for the past 6 years...we stay at a Holiday Inn in Daytona Beach..right on the ocean...within walking distance of shops and boardwalk..reasonable rates. Plenty of resturants close by to choose fron (Bonefish Grill, Outback, IHOP, etc. Not far from the Big Track. It's about a 40 minute drive to Volusia depending on traffic. As stated previously take cold weather clothes. First year we were there, nightime temps were in low to mid 30's several nights. Also, General Admission ticket gets you into the pits...at least it has in previous years. Enjoy..Volusia is my favorite track...Faaaaaast.

We stay in Ormand Beach. Great bbq just across the freeway from LaQuinta. Best food and view is

A-1-A Cafe. It is north on A-1-A to.wards Flagler Beach

I went there once & it was bitter ass cold (& I live in Colorado) Bring some warm stuff.

Don Garlits museum in nearby (well, not too far) Ocala is incredible, especially if you're into vintage drag racers. He's got tons of great stuff. They also race USAC wingless in Ocala, not sure which weekend

Volusia is super fast. Pits are free. Don't eat the deep fried Twinkies!!!! disgusting....

Last year, it got a little cold one night and we asked if we could park on the infield and watch from my truck.  For an extra $10 dollars and everyone in the truck buying a pit pass, I back my truck up to the turn one fence and we watched from the bed and hopped in the cab to stay warm during the intermissions.  

We enjoyed that a lot.  Being so close to the action watching the drivers wheel those sprints, it was beyond awesome.  Definitely the best view to watch the race... Plus there is plenty of space in the infield to grill out and tailgate since they make all the big rigs park on the outside. 

FYI...  Another SUV parked beside us facing the track and left their lights on.   An official walked down and asked them to turn them off because they were blinding the fans in the stands outside the track.  

Brandon McLain
United Sprint Car Series Driver
2014 Season
National Rookie of the Year!
National Points - 8th
Southern Points - 3rd
Asphalt Points - 3rd
18 Races, 3 Top 5's, 14 Top 10's