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Let's Go Racing: Newbie's Guide to attending the Daytona 500

<p>Daytona International Speedway's World Center of Racing! Did you know it recently underwent a $400 renovation? (Photo: USA TODAY Sports)</p>

You're definitely going to want a map. One should have come with your tickets, but if you bother most staff on site you should be able to get your hands on one.

Watching NASCAR on TV, the Daytona International Speedway can seem at times small. It's just a tri-oval with 42 cars zipping around it pretty quickly.

That belies the truth about Daytona: it's massive.

The track alone is enough to make your head spin when you're actually on the ground. The angles those cars drive on are much more intense in person. But that's not all there is to see. If you've got an RV infield pass and are on the grounds, get ready for a party. If you're just attending for race day, get ready to stand in line - and then party.

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Thankfully the staff on site is very helpful, so if you're lost or worried you might get lost, just find a friendly looking face with a NASCAR logo on their jacket and they'll help you out.

Some quick notes, though (helpful links to Daytona info are provided):

- Stadium gates open at 8 a.m. on race day! All the maps you could ever need are right here.

- Want something fun to do and feel the urge to learn about the history of NASCAR and the Daytona International Speedway? Well, it's not exactly a museum, but the Daytona 500 Champion's Walk of Fame will let you see who's one the Super Bowl of Racing - it's like a Hollywood Walk of Fame (handprints and footprints) but for guys who drive in excess of 190 mph regularly.

Photos: Daytona 500 thru the years

- What you ARE NOT allowed to bring in with you! (expect everything you bring in to be searched)

1. Glass and ceramics of any kind
2. Weapons
3. Noise makers and laser pointers
4. Wagons (why would you bring a wagon?)
5. Animals (service animals, though, are permitted)
6. Foam and hard-sided coolers (soft-sided coolers and bags are OK)
7. Tripods and monopods
8. Projectiles - beach balls, Frisbees, that kind of thing
9. Seat cushions with metal parts
10. Bicycles
11. Illegal substances
12. Collapsible chars
13. Skateboards and roller skates
14. Umbrellas (!!!)

- What ARE you allowed to bring in?

1. Cameras
2. Backpacks and drawstring bags (max. 17 inches)
3. Strollers
4. Soft-sided bags and coolers
5. Service animals
6. Additional clothing and blankets (no umbrellas! So if it rains bring a poncho)
7. Food and beverages
8. Cups
9. Binoculars
10. Flags WITHOUT poles

- Here's where to go if you're looking for your seat based on your section number:

108-121/308-325/408-425 | Sunoco Gate
122-135/326-339/426-439 | Toyota Gate
136-156 | Axalta Gate
Trioval Club/340-362/440-462 | Trioval Club Gate
157-170/363-378/463-478 | Chevrolet Gate
171-184/379-395/479-495 | Florida Hospital Gate

- Make sure to have your parking pass clearly visible! Put it on the lower part of your window, or in the middle - avoid the top to avoid confusion!

- Enjoy the Midway! There are displays, vendors and even a NASCAR Superstore! But the Midway is only open for a few hours on race day! Get there between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. to enjoy all the cool happenings - race time is at 2!

- Need WiFi? Connect to the network DIS_FAN_WIFI on your mobile device, computer or other WiFi enabled product.

- If you're really stuck text 69050! Put "DISFAN" without the quotes, followed by a space and then whatever your issue is - someone will get with you shortly.

MORE INFORMATION | Viewers guide: 2017 Daytona Speedweeks and Daytona 500

- One other thing - couldn't hurt to download the Daytona International Speedway Mobile App. It's got step-by-step navigation for you around the speedway, allows you to mark your spot with a parking locator, create your own schedules, detailed maps and push alerts to let you know what's going on schedule-wise. Head to the app store and search 'Daytona International Speedway.'

- Lady Antebellum is playing the Daytona 500 this year.

- Smokers! All stadium seating is a smoke-free zone. If you need a cigarette, head to the concourse; there are clearly marked areas where you can smoke there.

- Any questions we didn't answer? Never fear! An exhaustive FAQ is available right here!

Okay - you should be all set now. Start those engines! And have fun!

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