By Tim Packman, Contributing Writer
MOORESVILLE, N.C. – So, you’re headed to Daytona Beach to check out the racing action at Daytona International Speedway. There are a lot of activities taking place, for sure, at the World Center of Speed.
BUT, there are also a lot of other things to do while you’re in town. Here are some suggestions for those of you who may be newbies to the Daytona scene in mid-February. These are not being endorsed or promoted in any way shape or form, but for your own knowledge to make your Speedweeks a super one.
Short Track Action A Plenty
While in town, be sure to check out the dirt racing at Volusia County Speedway for some incredible slideways action on their high banked oval with Modifieds, Sprints and Late Models, and more. There’s an ice cream stand there with hard and soft serve. If you get a vanilla cone, those aren’t chocolate sprinkles that show up on the cone soon after, so lick carefully.
New Smyrna Speedway has great side-by-side action with Ground Pounding Modifieds, Late Models, and Street Stocks, to name a few, throughout the week. Be sure to check out the full bar area they have behind the grandstands.
Ya Gotta Eat
You will NEVER go hungry in Daytona. Seafood is everywhere, so is Italian, steakhouses and pizza places that stay open until 5 a.m. if you need a beer sponge before bedtime. So, in no particular order or ranking, here are a few places to get yer grub on.
Porto-Fino’s on the beachside serves up some incredible Italian dishes you might need a take-home box for when you’re done. If you want seafood, a place like Aunt Catfishes is a good one located on the intercoastal waterway at the Dunlawton Bridge.
If you go over the bridge towards the beach, turn right as soon as possible and head to the Our Deck Down Under. Great oysters and shrimp with a fish spread that’s a must. You can also find current and retired NASCAR stars in there enjoying the food and view.
Valentine’s Day is Friday, Feb. 14. Guys, if you have a wife, girlfriend, significant other, side girl – whatever – with you in Daytona, you need to make a reservation at the Chart House. Located in downtown Daytona, it’s a classy place that always pleases and the food is fantastic. Who’s know who you might run into from the NASCAR world, as well.
If the oyster, shrimp, grouper and scallops seafood fare is not your deal, but you like sushi – you’re good to go. Ronin’s on Speedway Blvd close to the intercoastal is for you. There’s a good chance you’ll run into plenty of NASCAR team PR and Marketing folks in there.
Food, Drink and Fun
This next category is for the folks who like the food, fun and adult beverages. Again, in no particular order, here are some suggestions.
If you have a Harley and/or just like being around the HOG folks, then Main Street is for you. The most famous place is the legendary Boot Hill Saloon. Their motto is, “Come on in and have a seat, you’re better off here than across the street” which refers to the cemetery. Music can be found playing day and night with plenty of colorful characters.
Right next door is Main Street Station, a former gas station turned bar. During the week, they have a reunion of veteran drivers with some awesome coupes and rockets of yesteryear on display. Down the street, you’ll find the famous Froggy’s Saloon, Harry’s and Cruisers, a racing-themed bar.
On the beach, you have Oasis Tiki Bar, Landsharks Bar & Grill and the famous North Turn Club. Located south of the Dunlawton Bridge on what used to the beach/land track, North Turn is a racer’s favorite. They have a few legends events every year, usually during the day so check out their website.
If you don’t go to the Ocean Deck, you didn’t go to Daytona. Great food, located on the beach, music plays day and night. Every level of racer can be found in there from the NASCAR drivers and crews, PR and Marketing, short track aces and fans alike stop in.
If you’re into the short track scene, then the Oyster Pub is for you. In addition to the free peanuts, they have killer oyster selections and pub grub for every palate. When a rainout takes place at New Smyrna or Volusia, you can find the short track aces and crews there doing some bench racing.
Right around the corner on Seabreeze is the Daytona Ale House, Seabreeze Tap Room and Coyote Ugly. If you can’t find something you like to drink in those places then you might as well take up knitting.
Nightlife
If you are looking for the club scene with live or DJ music to get your boogie shoes a groovin’ we have you covered.
The Ocean Deck picks up once the sun goes down with bands every night of the week. The house band, C Posse, plays some great reggae and people love it. When you stop in, check the band schedule on the wall. Hint, if you get there by 9 p.m. you can beat the cover charge, which is about $5.
If you’re a millennial and want to hang out with guys in man-buns, fade hair cuts and skinny jeans, then go to Razzles on Seabreeze. They’ll be there with the girls in skimpy dresses, taking selfies and texting people who aren’t there. Club music by a DJ is the nightly entertainment.
If you like Karaoke and feel like taking up second-hand smoking, then head to Ya’s Ya’s at Dunlawton and A1A. In addition to current and former NASCAR folks, you never know who might walk in and sing. They still talk about Blake Shelton coming in there to perform a few songs one night.
And finally, if you have some extra single and two dollar bills you’d like to donate to single moms working their way through college, you have a few to choose from on and near Seabreeze. I’m not going to name them, just look for the neon.
So, there you have it, an unofficial and unendorsed list of just a few places to play and satisfy your food and thirst palate while enjoying Daytona Speedweeks. If you like the place, tell ‘em, Tim, from Kickin’ the Tires sent you. If not, then just leave and try another one.
Fan guide for off-track places in Daytona
By Tim Packman, Contributing Writer
MOORESVILLE, N.C. – So, you’re headed to Daytona Beach to check out the racing action at Daytona International Speedway. There are a lot of activities taking place, for sure, at the World Center of Speed.
BUT, there are also a lot of other things to do while you’re in town. Here are some suggestions for those of you who may be newbies to the Daytona scene in mid-February. These are not being endorsed or promoted in any way shape or form, but for your own knowledge to make your Speedweeks a super one.
Short Track Action A Plenty
While in town, be sure to check out the dirt racing at Volusia County Speedway for some incredible slideways action on their high banked oval with Modifieds, Sprints and Late Models, and more. There’s an ice cream stand there with hard and soft serve. If you get a vanilla cone, those aren’t chocolate sprinkles that show up on the cone soon after, so lick carefully.
New Smyrna Speedway has great side-by-side action with Ground Pounding Modifieds, Late Models, and Street Stocks, to name a few, throughout the week. Be sure to check out the full bar area they have behind the grandstands.
Ya Gotta Eat
You will NEVER go hungry in Daytona. Seafood is everywhere, so is Italian, steakhouses and pizza places that stay open until 5 a.m. if you need a beer sponge before bedtime. So, in no particular order or ranking, here are a few places to get yer grub on.
Porto-Fino’s on the beachside serves up some incredible Italian dishes you might need a take-home box for when you’re done. If you want seafood, a place like Aunt Catfishes is a good one located on the intercoastal waterway at the Dunlawton Bridge.
If you go over the bridge towards the beach, turn right as soon as possible and head to the Our Deck Down Under. Great oysters and shrimp with a fish spread that’s a must. You can also find current and retired NASCAR stars in there enjoying the food and view.
Valentine’s Day is Friday, Feb. 14. Guys, if you have a wife, girlfriend, significant other, side girl – whatever – with you in Daytona, you need to make a reservation at the Chart House. Located in downtown Daytona, it’s a classy place that always pleases and the food is fantastic. Who’s know who you might run into from the NASCAR world, as well.
If the oyster, shrimp, grouper and scallops seafood fare is not your deal, but you like sushi – you’re good to go. Ronin’s on Speedway Blvd close to the intercoastal is for you. There’s a good chance you’ll run into plenty of NASCAR team PR and Marketing folks in there.
Food, Drink and Fun
This next category is for the folks who like the food, fun and adult beverages. Again, in no particular order, here are some suggestions.
If you have a Harley and/or just like being around the HOG folks, then Main Street is for you. The most famous place is the legendary Boot Hill Saloon. Their motto is, “Come on in and have a seat, you’re better off here than across the street” which refers to the cemetery. Music can be found playing day and night with plenty of colorful characters.
Right next door is Main Street Station, a former gas station turned bar. During the week, they have a reunion of veteran drivers with some awesome coupes and rockets of yesteryear on display. Down the street, you’ll find the famous Froggy’s Saloon, Harry’s and Cruisers, a racing-themed bar.
On the beach, you have Oasis Tiki Bar, Landsharks Bar & Grill and the famous North Turn Club. Located south of the Dunlawton Bridge on what used to the beach/land track, North Turn is a racer’s favorite. They have a few legends events every year, usually during the day so check out their website.
If you don’t go to the Ocean Deck, you didn’t go to Daytona. Great food, located on the beach, music plays day and night. Every level of racer can be found in there from the NASCAR drivers and crews, PR and Marketing, short track aces and fans alike stop in.
If you’re into the short track scene, then the Oyster Pub is for you. In addition to the free peanuts, they have killer oyster selections and pub grub for every palate. When a rainout takes place at New Smyrna or Volusia, you can find the short track aces and crews there doing some bench racing.
Right around the corner on Seabreeze is the Daytona Ale House, Seabreeze Tap Room and Coyote Ugly. If you can’t find something you like to drink in those places then you might as well take up knitting.
Nightlife
If you are looking for the club scene with live or DJ music to get your boogie shoes a groovin’ we have you covered.
The Ocean Deck picks up once the sun goes down with bands every night of the week. The house band, C Posse, plays some great reggae and people love it. When you stop in, check the band schedule on the wall. Hint, if you get there by 9 p.m. you can beat the cover charge, which is about $5.
If you’re a millennial and want to hang out with guys in man-buns, fade hair cuts and skinny jeans, then go to Razzles on Seabreeze. They’ll be there with the girls in skimpy dresses, taking selfies and texting people who aren’t there. Club music by a DJ is the nightly entertainment.
If you like Karaoke and feel like taking up second-hand smoking, then head to Ya’s Ya’s at Dunlawton and A1A. In addition to current and former NASCAR folks, you never know who might walk in and sing. They still talk about Blake Shelton coming in there to perform a few songs one night.
And finally, if you have some extra single and two dollar bills you’d like to donate to single moms working their way through college, you have a few to choose from on and near Seabreeze. I’m not going to name them, just look for the neon.
So, there you have it, an unofficial and unendorsed list of just a few places to play and satisfy your food and thirst palate while enjoying Daytona Speedweeks. If you like the place, tell ‘em, Tim, from Kickin’ the Tires sent you. If not, then just leave and try another one.