BUY TICKETS: See the Daytona 500 live!
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So, you’ve decided to attend your first NASCAR race -- how exciting! You’ve chosen the Daytona 500, the greatest spectacle of stock car racing, conquered by heroes like Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt, Richard Petty, Darrell Waltrip, and Trevor Bayne.
Here are some tips and tricks on how you can make your maiden trip to this year's Daytona 500 the most enjoyable experience at the track possible.
-- Wear sunscreen! The sun is hot in Daytona Beach. It's common practice to wear a sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of your favorite driver's car number. Don't have a favorite driver yet? Jamie McMurray is a popular choice -- he's No. 1, really.
--During the race, you'll hear a lot of people seated around you shouting, "Go Dale Jr.!" This is normal. Junior Nation has been asked to remind their driver to keep going -- he's been out of the car for a few months and his fans are trying to be helpful in case he forgot how to do his job.
-- Purchase tickets well in advance of the Daytona 500! You can no longer arrive at the hallowed grounds of motorsports and expect to answer the Grand Marshal's three riddles to gain entry to the race. Times have indeed changed.
-- Bump drafting is NOT encouraged in the line for the bathrooms. Trust me. Leave it to the professionals.
-- On Lap 14 of the Daytona 500, you'll be asked to hold up 14 fingers in honor of the now-retired Tony Stewart. Be sure to comply, lest you be ribbed and taunted by fellow racegoers for the remainder of the event.
-- It's customary to perform "the wave" on each of the race's 200 laps as the pack races by where you're seated. Remind your neighbors of this if they forget.
-- If you fall off your boat into Lake Lloyd, simply put yourself in a bag of rice for 24 hours to dry off.
-- It'll be SUPER awkward walking into the track wearing your Scott Speed 2012 team t-shirt. Stop by the merchandise tent as soon as possible if that's the case.
-- Upon gaining entry to the track, you'll be handed a race program that explains the race festivities. It's part of your ticket agreement with the track that you list the program for sale on eBay immediately following completion of the race.
-- When 40 cars bolt past you at full speed after the green flag waves, the noise can be rather startling. Most race car drivers, however, are quite respectful if you give them a "shush" as they race on. Don't be shy -- race car drivers are people, too, and they're happy to comply with a fan's polite request!
-- In the event of rain, the race will be delayed until the track is sufficiently dried. Avoid sitting in the grandstands for hours, thinking the cars will come back around the track any time now -- it's quite likely the cars are actually stopped on pit road, disguised by car covers!
-- Do not utter the words, "Drivers, start your engines!" before the official command is given by the Grand Marshal. Reciting this phrase could startle drivers into accidentally starting their race cars sooner than expected -- and you don't want responsibility for that magnitude of disaster on your hands.
-- Open bowls of cereal are not permitted in the facility. Finish those flakes and leave your bowl in the car before you attend The Great American Race! Better yet, meet up with other racing/cereal enthusiasts at one of the designated "cereal bowl zones" in the parking lot outside the track.
-- You'll notice the cars look quite a bit different in person than they do on TV. That's simply because the camera adds ten pounds. Enjoy your slimmed and unfettered view of those speed machines!
-- When there's a crash on the track, the cars always seem to end up at the end of skid marks. That means trouble! When you start to see skid marks appear, recite the customary Daytona skid marks chant to alert race fans around you: "Women and men 'round these hallowed grounds; hark -- now rise -- for trouble abounds!"
-- Before the race begins, airplanes will fly in formation over the track -- this is called the "fly-over" and it's perfectly normal. Don't feel embarrassed -- you didn't accidentally go to the air show instead of the biggest race of the NASCAR season!
-- Most food vendors within the gates of the race track do not offer free refills on cans of Monster Energy.
-- Speaking of food vendors, try out some Daytona 500 specialties! Ask for the secret menu to get access to delicacies like "Race Puppies," "Busch Ears," "Cassill Greens," "Dale's Famous Gus Drops," and Daytona's own "Pasta Logano," named after the 2015 winner of The Great American Race.
-- Fellow fans wearing a shirt bearing your favorite driver are required to return all high-fives and fist bumps. Promptly report any suspicious refusals to return high-fives to track security.
-- If you forget to print out this guide and bring it with you to the track, just remember DAYTONA:
-- DAYle Earnhardt, Jr. is a common driver for whom you can cheer in case you forget the name of your favorite driver
-- TONy Stewart isn't racing in the Daytona 500 this year -- he retired. (Remember, 14 fingers on Lap 14!)
-- A good idea would have been to print out the First Timer's Daytona 500 Guide.
Most of all, have fun and enjoy yourself!
In most cases, you can head back home at the conclusion of the race. It's the mark of a Daytona novice to accidentally sit in the grandstands for weeks following the race -- don't embarrass yourself!