Daytona Speed Week 2010
January 5th, 2010
Daytona Beach, FL – Time to rev up those engines as the excitement mounts for Daytona Speed Weeks 2010. Some events race fans can look forward to, as always, are the Rolex 24 and ARCA events then the Budweiser Shootout starts off the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule and then there is the 52nd running of the DAYTONA 500!
NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fan Fests – Jan. 15-16
The annual NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fan Fests gives race fans a sneak preview on the new NASCAR racing schedule as well as Speedweeks. Activities planned for both days include and an interactive fan forum, show cars and displays, an online auction, autograph sessions and the very popular Richard Petty Driving Experience. SPEED Channel personalities will also be on site to broadcast all of the festivities.
Daytona Speedweeks 2010
Fresh from Florida 200 – Jan 29
The Fresh from Florida 200 is a prelude to the Rolex 24 at Daytona. This event is the season-opening event to the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge.
Rolex 24 at Daytona – Jan 30-31
This will be the 48th running of the Rolex 24, a 24 hour race that takes place on the 3.56 mile road course. This course combines portions of the NASCAR tri-oval and an infield road course. It is the first major automobile race of the year in the United States.
Daytona 500 Qualifying, the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 and the Budweiser Shootout – Feb 6
Daytona 500 Qualifying
The prestigious front row for the 52nd annual Daytona 500 will be at stake with only the top two drivers being locked in at the end of this event. To achieve this, drivers will take two-high speed laps around the 2.5-mile tri-oval with the winners being at the pole and outside pole positions for the Daytona 500. The remaining spots will be determined by the Gatorade Duels, scheduled for Feb 11.
The Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200
The second event of the three scheduled where racers go 80 laps equaling 200 miles, this is the season-opening event for the ARCA Racing Series.
The Budweiser Shootout
The climax of this racing tripleheader where the top NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stars from each manufacturer go for a short 25-lap segment, take a ten-minute intermission then conclude the race with a 50-lap segment.
Gatorade Duel at Daytona – Feb 11
The Gatorade Duel is the preliminary event to the Daytona 500, consisting of two 150-mile races it serves as a qualifying race for the Daytona 500. The finishing order in the two 150-mile races determines the starting lineup for the Daytona 500 held on Sunday. Qualifying for the Daytona 500 is unique in NASCAR.
NextEra Energy Resources 250 – Feb 12
The trucks from the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series take on the Daytona International Speedway in this 100-lap, 250-mile race. This race is run three trucks wide and is famous for its wild unpredictability.
Camping World – 300 Feb 13
The Camping World 300 is a 120-lap, 300-mile event that has rising stars of the NASCAR Nationwide Series pitted against the stars of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Many crowd favorites including Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards traditionally enter this event.
DAYTONA 500 – Feb 14
The 2010 Daytona 500 is the 52st annual running of “The Great American Race”. This is NASCAR’s biggest, richest and most prestigious and the series’ first race of the year. The 2009 Daytona 500 race was won by Matt Kenseth. The race was called off with 48 laps to go when a severe rainstorm hit the track.
If you’d like to be there in person, which most race fans will tell you is the best way to experience the race, be sure to get your tickets as soon as possible because this is the most coveted ticket in motorsports and has been a sell out since the race was first run in 1959.
Bike Week 2010 – Feb 26 to Mar 7
If Biketoberfest 2009 was any indication, Bike Week 2010 should turn out to be a fabulous event as well. This is the countries premier biking event that bikers from all over the country, and Europe, look forward to all year along.
More Racing Info
www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com
www.grand-am.com
www.nascar.com
www.arcaracing.com
