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2006 Speedweeks

It’s hard to believe that it was just last month that Tony Stewart won the 2005 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Championship.  NASCAR’s brief hiatus seems to last forever.  For local race fans, the most exciting time of the year is fast approaching.  Fans storm into town from all over the country sporting the number and colors of their favorite drivers. The hotels, bars, and restaurants get filled ot the rim with good ‘ole boys and girls that obviously didn’t bring sunscreen, and NASCAR drivers open the season at the most important race of the year.  Ladies and Gentlemen, racing season is here!

Even though the Great American Race, the Daytona 500, isn’t until February19th, preseason events start January 10th with the NASCAR Jackson Hewitt Preseason Thunder Fanfests and NEXTEL Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck test sessions.  These opening events will feature fan forums, bands, car shows, pit stop demonstrations, and a silent auction. 

The Rolex 24 Hour Race will officially kick-off the 2006 Raceweeks on January 28th and 29th.  This prestigious race in the Sports Car Series attracts a multitude of international drivers and teams.  Special events at this year’s race include a Daytona Heritage Exhibition, the Midway Carnival, the 2nd Annual Daytona 5K, wine and cheese tasting and an autograph session at the NEXTEL FANZONE.  The Rocky Horror Picture Show will play at midnight for additional entertainment. 

The Budweiser Shootout will be February 11th after the ARCA Re/Max series kicking off their season with the Advance Discount Auto Parts 200.  Drivers eligible for the Shootout include past winners of the race currently active in the Nextel Cup Series and all drivers who won a Budweiser Pole Award during the 2005 NEXTEL Cup season.  A record 23 drivers are eligible for this year’s race, but since Rusty Wallace is retiring he may not participate, leaving the starting field at 22, a record set in 2002.  Carl Edwards, Denny Hamlin, Scott Riggs and Kyle Busch are newcomers to this exciting race. 

The qualifying races for the Daytona 500 include Bud Pole Day, the Daytona 500 Pole Qualifying on February 12 and the Gatorade Duel on February 16.  The Gatorade Duel at Daytona, the biggest non-weekend sporting event in the nation, is two 150-mile races that determine the front row for the Daytona 500.

February 17 kicks off the 30th Anniversary Crown Royal International Race of Champions series and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck series.  The Crown Royal IROC series (invitation only) features 12 drivers in identical cars on a 40-lap sprint race. 

The Busch Series starts off its 2006 season on February 18 with a new title sponsor.  While The Hershey Company has sponsored the prestigious event before, it will feature a specially-painted No. 29 Chevrolet fielded by Richard Childress Racing and driven by Kevin Harvick illustrating their newest product, the Hershey’s Kissables, hence the Hershey’s Kissables 300. 
The most anticipated race of the year, The Great American Race known as the Daytona 500, will be Sunday, February 19.  Information has not yet been released on who the Grand Marshall will be or who is singing the National Anthem.  The Wisk will be hosting the Daytona 500 After Party following the race.

To buy tickets to any of these events, please call 1-800-PITSHOP or visit http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/tickets/index.jsp. 

For a complete list of events, including ticket prices, please visit http://www.whatshappeningdaytona.com/attraction/event/1104.