Winter Break, Trip 4, Daytona Beach, Florida

Well, David did it. He graduated from the Richard Petty Driving Experience and drove at the Daytona International Speedway. This trip started off with low expectations as rain was predicted for the entire day of David's to be driving experience. The stars aligned, however, and after arriving at the track at 7 am and waiting around for many hours, they called at 12:00 noon to say they were going to let him drive. We pulled through the tunnel that leads to the field and it was so exciting. What a huge place. I could hardly believe it. They were pulling jet engines around the track to dry any remaining wet spots. David was suited up and put through a long safety training session before being taken out to the track. I started to see why this was such an expensive endeavor. What a top notch and professional operation. We were in the best of hands from the time we started until the end of David's graduation. Here are a few photos of the trip and two short videos of David GOING THE DISTANCE. I could only capture a very small portion of his driving the track for obvious reasons.

The rest of the trip was fantastic. We moved from our not so desirable hotel that shall go unnamed the first evening to the lovely Daytona Beach Hilton the 2nd night. What a place! We highly recommend that and we had the best dinner at the Hydepark Steakhouse inside the Hilton. We took an evening stroll on the beach and just so I would have a little speed of my own, I paid to do a ride along the boardwalk called the Slingshot. I have never done anything like this before and am not sure what came over me, but it was a complete thrill. All I can remember is laughing hysterically the entire time. Let's just say it's like bungie jumping in reverse. They shoot you from the ground into the sky much like a slingshot so it's appropriately named.

Thanks so much to David's colleagues at UTM that contributed to this unforgettable trip. David knows after driving at Daytona that he can face any fear. This was just what we needed. Thank you friends.

Julie (and David)