We’re in Daytona just after race week and just before bike week. The testosterone is coming in with the tide, so I decided to go with the flow and tour the Daytona International Speedway. Nascar fans know that the Daytona 500 kicks off the Nascar season, and we saw the winning car. It’s on display there for a whole year and kept just as it looked after the race with all the confetti on it.

We rode a tram around the track and got out at the turns to check out the embankments. At 31 degrees these turns are higher than they look. Cars have to be going at least 180 mph to make it. I was surprised to find out that race cars don’t have speedometers, but they do have tachometers.

I was also surprised to find out that the first race in Daytona was on the beach in 1903. One of the racers was Ransom Olds. Yes, the Olds who later made Oldsmobliles. Races were  first held on the beach, then on the beach and on the road, and then, in 1953 at the current speedway, which has been remodeled many times over the years. It just cost $20,000,000 to repave the 2 l/2 mile track.

Another surprising fact: There are 2 fully staffed health centers at the track, and over the years 19 babies have been born there.

Whether you like racing or not, this is an impressive place.

Day 62: 11,003 Steps     YTD: 561,410 Steps   Goal: 583,000 Steps