WTVT_Emily's Blog

Well, the big weekend is finally here:  we are just a little more than 24 hours away from the 2007 Daytona 500!  I'm lucky enough to be here in Daytona covering the race for our site, and I'll be bringing you all I can from behind the scenes.  I've only been here a couple of hours, and I can tell you already, there's a ton to see. 

It's my first trip to Daytona for an actual race, and those of you who've been here before know what I mean when I say this place is crazy.  CRAZY.  In fact, that doesn't begin to describe it.  Fans are everywhere, and they have been all week.  There's so much going on that I'm pretty sure there's no way to see everything in a day.  NASCAR does a fantastic job of creating an environment especially for the fans.  They have access to things I've not seen in another sport-- and as a sports producer in the past, I've been to lots of different events.  These fans are able to watch what goes on in the garages through huge glass windows in the NEXTEL Cup FanZone (more on that later), which was created just for the fan experience.  It's unbelievable. 

Anyway, so far today, the action on the track has been with the NEXTEL Cup drivers as they are out there right now for their final practice before tomorrow's race.  All the fans are gathered out around the track and up on the viewing deck watching practice.  The Busch race gets underway around 1:15. 

A little earlier, I was in the media room and Kelly Clarkson, the American Idol winner, was talking to reporters about her participation in tomorrow's pre-race festivities.  She'll be performing before the race.  She's a huge NASCAR fan, and she told us she's thrilled to be here. 

During her press conference a newspaper reporter from Daytona Beach asked her if she'd heard about Britney Spears shaving her head (which by the way, I hadn't, until that moment).  She hadn't, and actually she didn't believe the reporter-- until she pulled up a picture on her laptop to show her.  After she checked it out, a clearly shocked Clarkson said, "Well, she's still hot!"  Another reporter asked if she'd shave her head as well, and Clarkson told us all she likes her hair a little too much for that, but if that's what Britney wanted, good for her.  I'd say you can look for that little bit on 'Entertainment Tonight' later this weekend!

Right now I'm heading back out amongst  the fans to see if I can hook up with any Tampa fans.  I'll have more from DIS later, but don't forget to tune in to FOX 13 tonight at 6:30 for Chip Carter's Road to Daytona!  Chip's here, and he'll bring you the latest news leading up to tomorrow's 500.