DAYTONA, Fla. (WGHP) — Down at the Daytona International Speedway, professional NASCAR drivers aren’t the only ones getting test their mettle on the track.
FOX8 Sports anchor Kevin Connolly and photojournalist Chris Weaver had a chance to take part in the NASCAR Racing Experience.
As part of this experience, visitors can get behind the wheel of a NASCAR race car, no instructor or pace car, and soar down the 2.5-mile tri-oval speedway.
Weaver has plenty of iRacing experience, but he says there’s nothing like being in the driver’s seat.
“This is a 10, definitely,” Weaver said. “I got out there and just pedal to the metal, man. Just going.”
Connolly also said he had a blast with one caveat.
“I got to be honest with you,” he said. “The hardest part for me was climbing in the car. That window is just not that big, and my body doesn’t bend like it used to. But once I got in the car, I thought another one of the fun parts was just pulling off a pit road and getting up to speed.”
Weaver said his top speed was 145.22 mph, and Connolly was not far behind at 144 mph.
The experience isn’t cheap with a 5-minute solo run retailing for $499.99 plus a $44.99 driver’s fee. The price rises for longer runs, going all the way up to a 48-minute run retailing for $4,199.99 plus the driver’s fee.
If the idea of getting behind the wheel is a little too intimidating for you, Daytona also offers ride-along experiences with a three-lap ride retailing for $215.99.
Prices may vary, and both kinds of experiences may occasionally be discounted.
“It really, really is a great time,” Connolly said. “They do it well. I mean, this is a well-oiled machine out here as they get race fans to give them that ultimate experience.”
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