DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Thousands of racing fans are flocking into Daytona Beach this weekend for the Coke Zero Sugar 400 race Saturday night.
“There are only two races left before the playoffs start so the drama and intensity are going to be on a really high level tomorrow night,” said Frank Kelleher, president of Daytona International Speedway.
With just four open spots left in the playoffs, too, Kelleher told News 6 the 400 is going to give race fans a big show and dozens of thousands are visiting Daytona to witness it.
“This race for many, many decades happened on the 4th of July weekend and now we’re really settling into this August date,” Kelleher said. “Having a new event at the end of August is really great for our economy.”
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Local restaurants said they tend to see double the customers and while many will stay camping on site, others are packing in the hotels.
“This weekend we’re sold out. It’s sold out,” said Bob Davis, president of Volusia’s Lodging and Hospitality Association.
Especially in an economy where small businesses are struggling, Davis said the event now happening in August helps keep them going.
“With this race late as it is, it gives us another height and the small hotels are doing well. We had a pretty good summer. Not a great summer, but a decent summer,” Davis said.
The fans will stay all weekend long, too, with qualifying on Friday and the 400 on Saturday night.
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