Anyone that is into classic cars already knows about the Turkey Run, which is held inside the legendary Daytona International Speedway over Thanksgiving weekend. So as November 25-28, 2010 approached we were once again excited to attend the largest car show and swap meet in the southeast, celebrating it’s 37th Anniversary.
During recent years the track has gone through various improvements to the infield area, which while aimed at the NASCAR attendees have also made for a more enjoyable Turkey Run. This year the renovations were focused on the track surface itself. The process of paving the high banks is pretty neat, since they have to use cables and stuff to keep the paver up on the 31 degree banking. If you haven’t seen them yet, Google “Daytona Speedway repaving pictures” to check it out.
At any rate, while the repaving was basically completed, it was business as usual for the Turkey Run....which was awesome! For starters, we’re talking 4,540 cars and trucks in the show area, which is enough to keep you roaming around for days checking out all the cool rides. Though we go to lots of other car shows around the state, some vehicles you just only get to see in Daytona - and there are always some new surprises.
If you were looking to buy a new ride (or add another to your stable), there were more than 1,000 vehicles for sale in the car corral. Some were going at pretty descent prices this year, too. If you want parts to complete your project, or just pick up some neat things to decorate the garage or your house, it is hard to beat the Turkey Run. With about 3,500+ vendors, finding what you need is just a matter of being persistent in most cases. There is even a pretty big crafts section near the garages area, so I managed to pick up something to give my wife, since she doesn’t get to make it up for this show.
Besides the stuff that happens inside the Speedway, one of our favorite things is the fun that happens after dark. The official activities took place just outside the Speedway, including slow drags, a vehicle teeter-totter, plus trike and cart competitions. It culminated with a raffle vehicle being given away on Saturday night. This year it was a 1972 Chevy Pickup, with Everett Lightner of Richmond, Virginia holding the lucky ticket. Of course we also headed down to the Bel Air Plaza area for a few nights, plus spent plenty of time just hanging out in lawn chairs along A1A in front of our hotel. It is a relaxing way to take in the sights and sounds of all the cool cars cruising, all the while shooting the breeze with buddies and making new friends.
The Daytona Beach Street Rods host club and the Daytona Beach Racing & Recreational Facilities District did another great job making the Turkey Run an awesome way to spend Thanksgiving weekend! The focus now turns to the 22nd Annual Daytona Spring Show on March 25-27, 2011. Even at half the size of the Turkey Run it is still an awesome show (the second biggest in the state), and we hope to see you there. For more info on either of the Daytona Speedway events visit www.DaytonaBeachCarShows.com and click around, or for more detailed Turkey Run info visit www.TurkeyRun.com. CN
