We kicked off the 2026 NASCAR season in the Florida sunshine at Daytona International Speedway for the 2026 Daytona 500. We spent Sunday, February 15, 2026, at the 68th running of the Great American Race, watching Tyler Reddick pull off a last-lap pass for his first Daytona 500 victory and a historic moment for 23XI Racing. Our Daytona International Speedway NASCAR weekend brought together both long-time RaceAway friends and first-time guests, and as hosts (Jamie, Emily, and Ashley), we could feel the excitement from the moment everyone arrived.
Hosting Our RaceAway Guests at Daytona
Our home base for the weekend was the Embassy Suites – Orlando North in Altamonte Springs, a comfortable all-suite hotel that gave everyone plenty of room to spread out and relax between race days. By Friday afternoon, we were already spotting RaceAway guests in the lobby, and by Saturday it felt like half the atrium was our group.
About half of our travelers had joined us on other RaceAway trips, so check-in felt less like introductions and more like a reunion. Sharon K. and Leo K. were back for what turned out to be their seventeenth trip with us, and it was a highlight of our weekend to catch up with them. After the races, Sharon left a kind message on our Facebook page, giving our on-site hosts a shout-out and sharing how much they enjoyed the weekend. It’s always special to see that kind of feedback from guests we’ve known for years.
Saturday also happened to be Valentine’s Day, so there was a fun, festive energy in the air. We had couples celebrating the holiday together at the track, and one guest even celebrating a Valentine’s Day birthday. It added a little extra warmth and personality to the weekend as we got everyone settled in and ready for the big race.
Race Day Logistics and Track Atmosphere
Sunday morning came early, but our group was ready to go. We met everyone in the lobby, did a quick headcount, and loaded our charter buses for the trip over to Daytona. The ride gave us time to walk the aisles, answer last-minute questions, and make sure everyone had what they needed for a full day at the track.
Because of the forecast, the Daytona 500 start time was moved up, so we built that into our schedule and made sure guests understood the plan. The clouds kept everyone watching the sky all afternoon, but the rain never caught us: we made it through the entire race and all the way back to the hotel before the weather finally moved in.
Once we arrived at the speedway, we moved through the gates and headed toward our seating area. One detail that stood out this year was how much guests appreciated being able to use the escalator up to our level. James R. mentioned afterward that the escalator “saved his knees” after a full day on his feet. This is exactly the kind of small comfort that makes a big difference on race day.
Many guests took advantage of pre-race Fan Zone access to explore the infield. As of February 2026, Fan Zone access at Daytona typically opens late morning and runs into the early afternoon, giving fans time to walk through the infield, catch the pre-race concert, and watch driver introductions and final pit road preparations up close. From there, everyone made their way back to our seats in time for the main event.
From our vantage point, we had a wide view of the tri-oval, pit road, and the start/finish line: perfect for following the three- and four-wide action that makes racing at Daytona so intense.
Tyler Reddick’s Last-Lap Daytona 500 Win
The race itself delivered everything you’d hope for in a season opener at Daytona. The pack racing was tight and aggressive, with frequent lead changes and that classic superspeedway “anything can happen” feeling every time the field came storming past. You could sense the mix of nerves and excitement every time a big move for the lead unfolded right in front of us.
In the closing laps, strategy and drafting partners became the story. When Tyler Reddick made his dramatic last-lap pass to take the lead and hang on for the win, our entire section was on its feet. For many in our group, it was their first time seeing a Daytona 500 decided that way in person, and you could tell it was going to be one of those “I was there” memories. For 23XI Racing, it was a milestone Daytona 500 victory, and it felt special to witness it together.
After the checkered flag, we regrouped at our buses and pulled out once the lots began to clear. The ride back to the hotel was full of tired smiles and race replays. Everyone was comparing notes on the finish, the drafting, and their favorite moments from the day.
Highlights from This 2026 Daytona 500 Weekend
- Staying at Embassy Suites – Orlando North gave our guests a roomy and comfortable base for the Daytona weekend.
- We celebrated Valentine’s Day, including a birthday for one of our guests on the 14th.
- RaceAway welcomed back long-time race travelers Sharon K. and Leo K. for their seventeenth trip, and appreciated their kind post-race shout-out to our host team.
- Guests enjoyed pre-race Fan Zone time in the infield before the 2026 Daytona 500, with access to the pre-race show and pit road atmosphere.
- We had easy escalator access up to our seating level, which guests like James R. especially appreciated after a full day at the track.
- Our guests experienced Tyler Reddick’s last-lap pass and first Daytona 500 win for 23XI Racing. This was a thrilling way to start the new season together.
Wrapping Up an Unforgettable Start to the Season
By Monday morning, as we said our goodbyes in the lobby, it felt like we’d packed weeks of memories into one Daytona weekend: Valentine’s celebrations, familiar faces returning for their seventeenth trip, and a dramatic Daytona 500 finish that we were all lucky to see in person. From our perspective as your on-site hosts, the best part was seeing guests relax and enjoy the experience while we handled the logistics behind the scenes.
If you’re thinking about seeing the Great American Race for yourself, keep an eye on our latest Daytona International Speedway NASCAR packages, or explore other NASCAR weekends we host throughout the year. We’d love to welcome you trackside on a future RaceAway trip.