That was my first time at Daytona, but it won't be my last.
By David S. Wallens
Jan 31, 2017
Our goal is to take everyone behind the scenes, so Friday we got the full walk-through of the IMSA inspection process.
We also visited Mazda’s garage and learned about their latest prototype racer.
Before Friday’s Continental Tire Sportscar Challenge BMW Endurance Challenge race, we did the fan walk, meeting up with Spec Miata and MX-5 Cup racer Aurora Straus.
Friday evening our group dined next to the track at Hooligan’s, a local treat.
Each morning kicked off with a delicacy: Krispy Kreme doughnuts and coffee.
Before Saturday’s big show, the Heritage Exhibition recalls Daytona’s storied past. Publisher Tim Suddard ran his Triumph TR3–this very car competed at Daytona in the 1960s.
Saturday is the big day, and we marched our crew to the grid for the fan walk.
Packed house.
Marching bands, too.
Somewhere in that mob is Jeff Gordon.
We visited Mazda driver and super-nice guy Tom Long.
Sit on the famed track? Sure, why not?
For the start of the Rolex, we took our perch high in the stadium.
From up here, the entire race can be viewed.
Back at our compound, things started to fill up that evening.
How do you get front-row parking in our compound? Hint: Show up in a Mazda.
Flyin’ Miata brought several cars, including their new LS-powered, ND-chassis MX-5.
Flyin’ Miata also displayed a V8-powered, NB-chassis MX-5 plus a V8 Exocet. Wire Wheel showed off the Elise.
We showed off a few of our project cars, too, including our new LeMons Miata.
Our CAM Mustang also made an appearance.
And to promote the Mitty, where Porsche is the featured marque, our 911.
The Blipshift guys also visited.
The SimCraft racing sim rigs were running all weekend.
Looking for wheels? The BBS crew were in our tent all weekend.
We awarded several golden tickets this weekend, with recipients visiting pit lane, the starter’s stand and more. How to win one? Having a smile definitely helps.
Before dinner, time to socialize.
And dinner kept our crew fueled.
Despite the rain and cold, we had a full audience for our infamous midnight paddock tour. Mazda kicked off the tour, while we also visited Continental and several garages.
Those who bought our new stadium ticket package received a hot breakfast Sunday morning.
After the checker fell on Sunday, we cleaned up and headed home.
The Rolex 24 At Daytona is more than cars on track. It’s more than victory circle celebrations. And it’s more than pitstops and tire temperatures.
It’s a chance to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. It’s watching the sun dip below NASCAR Turn 1. And it’s doing our midnight paddock tour, even if the weather isn’t cooperating.
The Grassroots Motorsports ticket packages offered for the Rolex 24 At Daytona saw another sold-out weekend: We offered 800 tickets—twice the old number—and they were all snatched up. We also hosted thousands more race fans who visited our infield compound over the course of the weekend.
Thank you, everyone, for joining us. Daytona International Speedway is our home track, and we enjoy showing you around, sharing our hospitality, and introducing you to our friends.
We need to thank our partners, too, who helped make this happen: Mazda, Continental, Intercomp, Spec Clutch, Flyin’ Miata, BBS, IMSA, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and Perry’s Ocean-Edge Resort..
Those companies have become a big part of our show, too. Mazda welcomed our group into the team garages on Friday and also kicked off our midnight paddock tour. Flyin’ Miata showed off several fortified Miatas, including their V8-powered ND. Representatives from Continental, Intercomp, BBS and Spec interacted with our visitors all weekend, and Krispy Kreme provided doughnuts and coffee each morning. IMSA walked our crew through the tech inspection process—stuff that fans normally can’t do.
Already making plans to join us in 2018? Watch our website this summer for ticket sales information.
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That was my first time at Daytona, but it won't be my last.
Thanks for putting on such a great show! For the record, I've never begrudged y'all your weather or complained that you didn't get seasons, so I feel like I was unduly punished. 
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