It’s that time of the year again, spring is in the air and the tread is burning in Daytona. The Daytona 500 in Daytona Beach, Florida, is the most-watched auto race in the country. Also known as “The Great American Race,” it features 500 miles of continual, heart-racing excitement and drama. Whether you’re into it for the victory or to see a good crash or two, there’s nowhere else to be on a Sunday afternoon.

As the Daytona 500 draws near, the desire for tickets has never been so pressing. As one of America’s most popular sports, those who get good seats are those in the know. Whether you prefer the simplicity of online ordering or the immediateness of the ticket purchase counter, there’s a multitude of ways to get the best seats possible at rates that won’t diminish your beer funds. Before setting out to find tickets, the first thing you’ll need to decide upon is your budget. When setting your budget, keep in mind that you are allowed to bring in a cooler full of drinks and food. In doing so, you can afford to spend more money on better seats. Once you have a round-about number in your head, the next step is to choose the ideal outlet to find the perfect tickets to accommodate your needs.

Depending upon how far you’re traveling from, a race package may be the best way for you to save money on your trip. PrimeSport is the official ticket package provider for the Daytona 500, their website is here http://www.primesport.com/shop/package_nascar-daytona.asp. There are several different package options available for you to choose from. When you choose a travel package, you’ll receive extra perks that don’t normally come with your average Daytona 500 ticket. For instance, PrimeSport offers a FanZone pass and Tower Ticket to the Nationwide Series and Daytona 500 Series. Packages such as these are ideal if you’re traveling with a family or looking to use the race as a vacation or getaway.

If a vacation package isn’t what you’re looking for, there are a myriad of options to choose from. There are several great websites to help you find tickets. RazorGator http://www.razorgator.com/tickets/sports/motor-sports/nascar/daytona-500-tickets/ has rave reviews from Daytona 500 customers around the nation. They break the seats down by price range to help you quickly get the tickets you need. Another great thing about this website is that they guarantee their tickets in pairs, which means you’ll never have to worry about sitting in one row while your friend is another row across the way. If you’re a bit of a gambler, you can always try your luck on websites, such as eBay® and CraigsList. Just keep in mind that you run the risk of receiving bad tickets as these websites don’t generally come with a money-back guarantee.

The Daytona 500 is the pinnacle race of the NASCAR calendar. Because it’s one of the most high-profile sporting events of the year, the rush for tickets can leave those who procrastinate without a seat. Not only is it important to get started early, but also to take a look at the different perks that you can add on to your ticket. This race only comes along once a year, but the chance to walk among the drivers is once in a lifetime. The Sprint FanZone package is definitely worth looking into. According to the Daytona International Speedway website, “you can walk the track surface over the grassy tri-oval and onto pit road for pre-race through driver's introductions,” http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/Tickets-Events/Events/2010/Hersheys-Milk-and-Milkshakes-Speedweeks/Sprint-FANZONE.aspx. If you’re going to attend the biggest race of the year, why not go all out to make it a really memorable experience. Another great website is GotTickets.com http://www.gotickets.com/sports/nascar/daytona_500.php. They have a great variety of tickets that range in a multitude of prices. In addition to tickets, they also sell packages so you have more options on one website. When choosing your seat, it shows you exactly where you’ll be on the seating chart so you can make an informed decision and know exactly what you’re getting for your money. Additionally, be sure to check out the parking passes as well so you won’t waste time on the day of the race looking for a place to park.

When it comes to finding tickets, the possibilities are endless. Just be sure when you visit different websites to check for guarantees and money-back policies. It’s always best to have a backup plan if something happens last minute or the tickets are not what you expected. Moreover, you should clear your schedule for the day of the race and get there as early as possible. These races can get packed so you don’t want to wait to the last minute to pull into The Speedway. Also, expect to stay there late as these races tend to run long depending on how many caution stops happen to occur.

Once you’ve decided on your package and received your tickets, the next and final step is to ensure you plan your day ahead of time. The chaos at the grandstands can be overwhelming whether you’re new to the experience or go every year. Map out your trip; find out where your seats are ahead of time using the Daytona International Speedway website, here http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/Seating-Maps/Area-Map.aspx, and make sure to place your tickets in a secure location. So when the day arrives, you’ll be there on time to hear those four magical words: “Gentlemen, start your engines!”