WTVT_Emily's Blog

Well, the week leading up the the 500 is over, and all that's left is for the green flag to fall to officially start the NEXTEL Cup season for 2007.  As a first-time racegoer, I will say I got much more than I bargained for today at the Busch Race, and we haven't even hit the big time yet.  I'm confident Sunday will prove much crazier and more crowded than Saturday, which I didn't think was possible. 

There's so much to say about my first-ever Daytona adventure, and I will do just that in the coming days (so stay tuned), but for now, a couple of things jump out at me.  One: the amount of money spent at this event.  It's insane.  Everything costs something, and I don't mean that in a negative way.  Fans more than get what they pay for when they come to a race like this, because NASCAR does their fan experience the right way.  They put them right up close and personal with the drivers and the cars, and you can tell in a minute that when they say they value their fans, they mean it. 

But still, one of the first things I saw when I arrived at the track on Saturday morning was a load of parking signs.  Some of the lots charged $20, and some charged $50.  Yes-- $50.  For a day.  One day, not the weekend.  And there were lines to get in those lots. 

Once inside, fans had plenty of opportunities to shell out cash: merchandise, food, commemorative pictures.  You name it, and NASCAR sells it. 

Alas, there's that old saying 'you get what you pay for', and these fans really do get.  They get to see their drivers, not just in a car a half a mile down the front stretch.  They get to look inside the garages through huge glass windows while the crews put together the cars.  The only thing separating them from the pits is a chainlink fence, and for those who want a view from the air, they've created a FanDeck, where fans can climb up for a birds-eye view.  All of these things are what the fans want, and NASCAR is giving it to them. 

There's so much to see at Daytona, it can't possibly be done in one day.  And that's why its good that I still have one more day of exploring to do!  Check back on Sunday for many, many more updates from both Chip and myself, and of course don't forget to tune in to the race right here on FOX! 

P.S.  I've posted some of the many photos from today's events.  Take a look at them here in my blog!