I know many of you following this blog are not NASCAR fans.  Let me just say, I get it.  BUT, you will change all your thinking of NASCAR after going to a race.  There is literally nothing like it.

My kids are into it as well.  But, I don’t like to bring them to the track on race-day.  Thankfully, NASCAR and Daytona International Speedway have a lot of events leading up to the big Daytona 500.  Today was qualifying – where cars go on the track one at a time and see who as the fastest time.  It’s perfect for kids.  They get to see the cars, see the drivers, do all sorts of events….BUT…it’s not super loud since there’s only one car, there are not nearly as many drunks and there are a lot of kid activities.

Brendan and me at a COLD Daytona International Speedway.

First, we got to watch all the cars go through inspection to ensure no one is cheating.

Kevin Harvick’s 2013 Sprint Cup Car at Daytona International Speedway.

Kevin Harvick is my personal favorite driver.  We also had to wait around to see Carl Edwards’ car.  That’s my son’s favorite driver:

Brendan standing in front of the 99 car of Carl Edwards at Daytona International Speedway.

I think my favorite part about the Carl Edwards car was looking at what was sitting on the roof – a rubber mallet and duct tape.  I guess with those two you can fix anything!

Essential tools atop the 99 car of Carl Edwards at Daytona International Speedway.

So we watched the cars go around the track.  And we watched history being made as Danica Patrick won the pole with the fastest time.  She’s the first woman to do so.  I think this would be totally awesome and worth celebrating if she didn’t do terrible GoDaddy commercials.

Danica Patrick driving off the track after her qualifying lap for the Daytona 500.

And there’s also so much to see outside the track.  All the sponsors have tents set up, all the team haulers are there selling merchandise – just so much fun.  Except to drive in and out of the Speedway in Turn 4, you have to go through a scary narrow tunnel that makes me nuts.

Entering the turn 4 tunnel at Daytona International Speedway.

And here we go through the tunnel.

The turn 4 tunnel at Daytona International Speedway.

See you again on race day!!