Florida Race Tracks - Racing In The Shadow Of Daytona

Consider them to be the fortunate few. While millions of people will be watching the Daytona 500 from their living rooms or neighborhood sports bars on February 19, 2006, the fortunate ones will be sitting in the massive grandstands. Those who are even more fortunate will be doing that after having experienced the racing action at one of the area short tracks.

For decades, the short-track racing scene in Florida has come to life early in the year. The construction of the massive 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway has played a role in the development of the short-track programs, but the track's existence could be the source of a love/hate relationship in some ways.

While the Daytona International Speedway events in late January and early February provide a drawing card, there are still thousands who descend to Florida for racing, yet never set foot on the property along International Speedway Boulevard. Their destinations are Samsula, Barberville, Tampa, and other places in the past such as Palatka and Ocala. Those people are there for the exciting short-track racing. A look at the grandstands, campgrounds, and parking lots at those tracks will bear that out.

Florida becomes the showcase for nearly all forms of oval track racing, with cars coming from all over the country. Daytona is not the only place where you'll find drivers who hail from the Pacific Northwest or New England. You'll find them at New Smyrna Speedway, East Bay Raceway Park, and Volusia Speedway Park in great numbers.