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It’s the week that hundreds of thousands of people wait for each year. Press play below, and you’ll see what I’m talking about. In a clip from the 1976 Daytona 500 – a finish that some consider the greatest in NASCAR history – you can’t help but get sucked in….

Awesome, huh?  I know Mr. B was at the edge of his seat watching that.

While some people are searching high and low for last-minute hotel rooms, we’re the lucky ones…Daytona has an incredible RV Park – and they’ve done extensive improvements on it since last year.

The entire lot, outside the track on Williamson Boulevard, was rebuilt in the off-season to try to curb long-time issues with drainage and standing water in the grass and dirt lot, according to the Daytona Beach News-Journal.

Daytona International RV Park & Campground

Speedway officials won’t say how much the project cost, except to say it was in the “seven-digit” range. A storm water system was installed and the lot’s 2.5 miles of roads were paved.

The Speedway also added new fencing and thousands of plants and trees, including live oaks, magnolias, and cypress, especially alongside Williamson Boulevard, flanking the main entrance gate where many fans enter the infield.

“We wanted to give a quality introduction,” Andrew Gurtis, vice president of operations for the Speedway, told the newspaper.

The idea for paving the roads and improving the RV lot was born during the 2010 hurricane season, when the Speedway endured a host of flooding troubles after record rainfall, Gurtis said. “There was only so much we could do with hay and pumps.”

Now, thanks to the 60,000 cubic yards of fill excavated during the construction of two new retention ponds and expansion of three other ponds, Gurtis said the entire RV lot was lifted about 18 inches. And, the campsites slope from a slight ridge to encourage water to flow toward the new storm sewers.

Daytona International RV Park & Campground

Speedway officials expect to sell out every one of their 770 RV spaces this year, and the good news for campers is that the lot price remains the same: $575 to camp from February 7 to 27.

As the motorhomes rolled through the gates in the past week, the campers greeted each other as old friends after camping alongside each other for years, according to News-Journal. Many keep in touch throughout the year and were happy to see each other again. They compared notes on when other campers were due to arrive and made plans to visit their favorite local spots.

daytona International RV Park & Campground

New this year: fans that purchased a reserved infield campsite will be allowed to drive in and out of the infield. tow passes need to be displayed in your windshield for this special access. Turn 4 Tunnel has limited hours while Turn 1 Tunnel is open 24 hours.

Alliance Coach, Inc. RV Service is available to provide RV service. For on site service their number is (352)446-2886. The RV and parts truck is located in West Lot RV spots #186 and #187.

Daytona International RV Park & Campground

Here are some of the events leading up to the big race on Sunday:

NextEra Energy Resources 250 for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (100 laps, 250 miles)

Friday, February 24, 2012, 7:30 p.m.

The tough trucks from the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will tackle Daytona International Speedway in a 100-lap, 250-mile battle that is famous for its wild and unpredictable three-wide racing.

DRIVE4COPD 300 for the NASCAR Nationwide Series (120 laps, 300 miles)

Saturday, February 25, 2012, 1:15 p.m.

The rising stars of the NASCAR Nationwide Series face off against the stars of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in a 120-lap, 300-mile event.

Tickets for all Daytona International Speedway events are available online or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.

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For those of you heading down…(or if you’re already there) have an awesome time! Poor Mr. B – stuck at home….it’s times like these when a cigar and a big screen TV come in handy.

SAFFORD RV    6101 Mallard Rd, Thornburg VA

540 735 1100 / 800 719 3507

Come get your RV today, so you’ll be ready for next year’s ‘Great American Race.’