Daytona among NASCAR tracks lowering ticket prices

NASCAR's offseason has led to plenty of uncertainty entering Speedweeks, but Daytona International Speedway officials are clear on one thing: They want you back.
The track is offering more-affordable ticket prices that kick in with a new racing format for Saturday's Budweiser Shootout.
The biggest price-slash at Daytona to date was $55 tickets in limited sections of the Superstretch for the 500 - the lowest price ticket since 1995. The 5,000 seats offered at $55 were sold in a matter of days last week.
"The roll back of ticket prices in select areas for the Daytona 500 is a significant and important step for race fans," DIS President Robin Braig said.
"These are challenging times for everyone and we hope that these adjustments in ticket prices will make it more affordable for race fans."
The four major races leading up to the 500 - the Shootout, Feb. 12 Gatorade Duels, Feb. 13 truck race and the Feb. 14 Nationwide event - all have significantly reduced ticket prices, ranging from $50 on up.
DIS also offers an "All-You-Can-Eat" package to all of the races next week - except the 500. For an extra $15, fans can enjoy unlimited hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and Coca-Cola products.
Racing-related changes have taken place, too, ranging from the Shootout Saturday to the lineup for the 500.
In the Shootout, the original new format called for a field of the top six cars in each of the four manufacturers - Chevrolet, Ford, Toyota and Dodge - based on last year's standings.
NASCAR then added four wildcard entries - bringing the Shootout field to 28 cars. That twist resulted in Tony Stewart, now driving for himself in the No. 14 Chevrolet, making the race as a previous Cup champion.
And when the green flag waves for the 500, history will likely be made as 18-year-old Joey Logano is expected to start the race's 51st edition, making him the youngest competitor ever. Logano replaces Stewart in the No. 20 Home Depot Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing.
"I went down there the last five or six years and I've had to watch from the sidelines. To be involved in it this year is really exciting," said Logano, who will be in every race during Speedweeks, including a rare "Daytona Double" on Saturday in the ARCA and Shootout races.
OTHER GOOD TICKET DEALS
ATLANTA MOTOR SPEEDWAY
"Buy 1, Get 1 Free" deal on its $95 ticket with a $25 purchase at Lowe's. Family four-pack, four tickets, four hot dogs and four Cokes for $159. Students with a valid ID get a $19 ticket, adults a $39 ticket.
DARLINGTON RACEWAY
NASCAR'S oldest superspeedway has 9,000 seats in the Colvin Grandstand at $35 per ticket, a $10 discount for its Southern 500, which is held on Mother's Day weekend.
MARTINSVILLE SPEEDWAY
Four adult tickets for $159 for the March 29 race. Children 12-18 get half-price tickets, while backstretch tickets are $25. Family four-pack - two adults, two children - $99, a $41 discount.
TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY
The track has reduced 20,000 tickets in the Gadsden and Lincoln Grandstands to just $40 per ticket for both of its Cup races, on April 29 and Nov. 1.
(Bill Whitehead is a sportswriter for Scripps Treasure Coast (Fla.) Newspapers, The Stuart News, Fort Pierce Tribune and Vero Beach Press Journal.)