Articles - Daytona Beach en-us http://www.smarttravelreport.com N/A http://www.smarttravelreport.com travelgirl12866@yahoo.com 20 http://www.smarttravelreport.com/articles/2300/1/NASCAR-Fans-Make-Their-Way-to-Daytona-500-for-50th-Anniversary-Race/Page1.html NASCAR fans from all over the country have the pedal to the metal to make their way to the famous track in Daytona, Florida this weekend for the 50th Edition of what is considered to be “the Great American Race.” This is a historic weekend for the famed race.  All 24 of the winning Daytona 500 Champions will be attending the race this Sunday to commemorate the bicentennial celebration.  Race fans will have an opportunity to meet some of their favorite winners during several extraordinary events that are scheduled to take place on the Speedway.  Never has the track offered a chance to meet such legends as Bobby Allison, Buddy Baker, Junior Johnson, Richard Petty, Darrell Waltrip and Mario Andretti all at one race.  This weekend will be one of honor and opportunity.  The 24 men will be signing autographs and meeting people on the infield overlooking Gatorade Victory Lane. The sexy and soulful Grammy Award-Winning Country singer, Trisha Yearwood, will be kick-starting the race with her beautiful rendition of the National Anthem.  She will also be one of the singers featured to take part in the Sprint pre-game show, along with Chubby Checker, Kool & the Gang, Brooks & Dunn and Michael McDonald.  Thousands of fans and millions of TV viewers will be thoroughly entertained. The “Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!” callout will be right at 2:00 p.m. as the race revs into high gear and the drivers take their positions for an exciting and fast-paced pursuit.  The stands will be packed with testosterone as the cars make their way around 500 laps to compete for this year’s ultimate 50th Anniversary title. Favorite drivers like Dale Earnhardt Jr.; Jeff Burton; Jeff Gordon; Tony Stewart; Kevin Harvick; and Kurt Busch are sure to give the other forty-plus drivers a run for their money.  Along with an impressive pot up for grabs, race winners attract notoriety and more bonuses with sponsorship endorsements and points that go toward future games.  Victories by avoiding accidents or car malfunctions are key.  Seasoned pros collect points throughout the 36-race season of NASCAR, making wins even more valuable. Even though this year’s Daytona celebrates its 50th Anniversary, the live TV coverage has only been made popular within the last thirty years.  It was Feb. 18, 1979 when CBS picked up the coverage with a helicopter to obtain footage.  It was heavily raining that day and snowing throughout the Northeast, but the rain subsided long enough for the race to begin.  At that time, NASCAR was not pop-culture like it is today.  There were three choices of networks on TV so there weren’t many shows for people to watch as they were snowed in with no alternative means of entertainment.  There was a captive audience all across the country.  A record-breaking 20 million viewers all over the U.S. tuned in to watch the first live Daytona 500 on that day thirty years ago.  It was the beginning of a new era for race drivers as a sporting event.  People began taking notice of the loud, fast cars and NASCAR became a household insinuation of manhood. Part of the excitement of that first televised race was with the dramatic ending.  Many original NASCAR fans remember it to this day.  During the final lap, Cale Yarborough and Donnie Allison were neck-and-neck, vying for the lead and rubbing cars on the backstretch when both wrecked with under a mile to the finish line.  Richard Petty blew past them to take the win, while brothers Bobby and Donnie Allison got out of their cars to duke it out with Yarborough.  A modern-day reality show could not have planned a script that great.  Men love wrestling and hockey fights so that first show proved itself to be one for the history books. Since then, there have been many memorable occasions in NASCAR and this Sunday’s battle should be filled with much testosterone and thrills.  The hype of the race itself is electrifying.  The city of Daytona counts on this boom in tourism as one of Florida’s best hosted events.  Everywhere from Cocoa Beach up to Jacksonville, there will be tailgate parties, RVs and campers, motorcycles, men and women wearing shirts of their favorite drivers, booths set up to pique interest of key sponsors and wall-to-wall crowds of people. However, for those anxious fans that don’t enjoy crowds… the best view in the house may be right in front of the big screen TV at home.  No matter whether you’re attending live or in the comfort of home, this year’s 50th Anniversary Daytona 500 Championship is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.   anneindelray@yahoo.com (Anne Violette) Sat, 16 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.smarttravelreport.com/articles/2079/1/7-Datona-Beach-Florida-Attractions/Page1.html 1) The Beach - With a name like Datona Beach, this has to be the number one attraction. Datona has 23 miles of pristine beachfront for you to enjoy. Main Street Pier and Ocean Walk village are the hot spots on the beach with a variety of beac activities, restaurants, arcades sports equipment rentals and shops all within walking distance. You can even get in a little fishing on the pier if you want. marshiecajayon@gmail.com (Steven Chabotte) Fri, 08 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.smarttravelreport.com/articles/1903/1/Daytona-Beach---Florida-USA/Page1.html Florida is rich with miles and miles of beautiful sandy shores, and cool surfing waves. One perfect example is the Daytona Beach. It's a public beach where anyone can just simply enjoy the sands, seas, and wind. The only time perhaps where extra precaution should be taken is during the nesting season of sea turtles. At this time, it is best to drive during an hour after the sun rises, and then an hour before it sets. Sea turtles are known to travel back to shore at nighttime to lay on their eggs and the go back into the unchartered waters of the Atlantic. marshiecajayon@gmail.com (Ken Chaney) Mon, 21 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.smarttravelreport.com/articles/1902/1/Daytona-Beach-Boat-Rental-Options/Page1.html Daytona Beach is a very popular vacation spot in USA. People travel from different corners of the country to see this beach and also to use the Daytona Beach boat rentals. There is, after all, so much you can enjoy while sunbathing and watching the sparkling water. marshiecajayon@gmail.com (Abhishek Agarwal) Mon, 21 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.smarttravelreport.com/articles/1126/1/Get-Revved-Up-In-Daytona-Beach/Page1.html You’ll be encouraged to start your engines upon arrival in Daytona Beach, but there’s much more to do that doesn’t involve fast cars or big crowds. There’s the beach, of course, but even beyond that are multitudes of opportunities that will keep everyone in your group consistently engaged, amazed and stimulated. This multi-faceted destination is buzzing with activity, so consider a trip to Florida’s Central Atlantic coast if it’s time for a break from reality. vagabond142@hotmail.com (Caitlin Moore) Tue, 27 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.smarttravelreport.com/articles/1125/1/Daytona-Beach--Florida/Page1.html The white sands welcome you to join the party of pure fun and to engulf you in the joy of oneness with the beautiful nature. Welcome to Daytona Beach Florida, the world’s most famous beach and one of the most sought after holiday destinations in the world. The Daytona is a 23 mile of white sand spread across covering the complete beach and complimenting the sparkling sea water which plays a vital role in making it a popular tourist destination from the early 1900’s. kristi.e@agentsofvalue.com (Shagufta Khan) Tue, 27 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.smarttravelreport.com/articles/1124/1/Daytona-Beach/Page1.html For your next spring vacation, take your family out to one of the most popular and beautiful beaches in the United States: Daytona Beach. Experience the relaxing yet fun atmosphere of 23 miles of sparkling sand and warm sea. And enjoy the most exciting dining and entertainment scenes this part of Florida. kristi.e@agentsofvalue.com (Kent Pinkerton) Tue, 27 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.smarttravelreport.com/articles/1123/1/Daytona-Beach-Hotels/Page1.html Daytona Beach is one of the most exciting beaches in America. It is home to the famous spring break tradition of partying and live concerts that hordes of college students attend. Sports enthusiasts come here to see car races and visit the Daytona USA racing museum that features awesome racecars. And in fall season, the Biketoberfest attracts bikers from all over the country to take part in the annual four-day fest. kristi.e@agentsofvalue.com (Kent Pinkerton) Tue, 27 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.smarttravelreport.com/articles/1122/1/Daytona-Beach-Spring-Break/Page1.html One of the most famous rituals in college is the spring break. Thousands of college students head to beach during this season and most of them go to Daytona Beach for a week-long party. They come in buses or cars with only beach gear in their bags. They come for the beach and the company of fellow students glad to be out of their colleges and universities. Organizers put up free concerts and games, and the environment is simply lots of fun. This has been a tradition that only gets bigger every year. kristi.e@agentsofvalue.com (Kent Pinkerton) Tue, 27 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.smarttravelreport.com/articles/1006/1/Daytona-Golf-Courses/Page1.html Daytona Beach Golf Club, 600 Wilder Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32114, (386)671-3500, 36 holesSouth Course, Municipal, 18 hole, 6,229 yds, Par 71, CR-69.8, S-118       North Course, Municipal, 18 hole, 6,338 yds, Par 72, CR-70, S-120Indigo Lakes Golf Club, 312 Indigo Dr, Daytona Beach, FL 32114, (386)254-3607, Public, 18 hole, 7,131 yds, Par 72, CR-73.5, S-128LPGA International, 1000 Champions Dr, Daytona Beach, FL 32124, (386)274-5742, 36 holes       Legends Course, Public, 18 hole, 6,984 yds, Par 72, CR-74.5, S-138       Champions Course, Public, 18 hole, 7,088 yds, Par 72, CR-74, S-134Oceans Golf Club, 2 Oceans West Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32118, (386)788-2998, Public, 9 hole, 737 yds, Par 39, CR-N/A, S-N/APelican Bay Golf Club, North, 350 Pelican Bay Dr, Daytona Beach, FL 32119, (386)756-0040, Private, 18 hole, 6,829 yds, Par 72, CR-73.1, S-134Pelican Bay Golf Club, South, 550 Sea Duck Dr, Daytona Beach, FL 32119, (386)788-6496, Public, 18 hole, 6,630 yds, Par 72, CR-71.9, S-123 mylyn.c@agentsofvalue.com (Maggie Thornburg) Thu, 22 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0700