I leave for Daytona Beach, Fla., Monday, and I'm going the old-fashioned way. I'm driving. I'll take the backroads into South Carolina and pick up I-95 and head south. Along with picking up I-95, I'll pick up stories. I plan to write from the road Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
You can help choose the roads I take. Can you think of racing folks I ought to talk to, forgotten tracks I ought to swing by, diners at which I ought to eat?
I love road trips. The only time I get to be Master & Commander is when I'm in my car listening to my music driving at the speed I choose down roads that you and I choose. It wasn't so long ago that NASCAR stars made the same trip from Charlotte, but at faster speeds.
I have story ideas in Darlington, S.C. -- brilliant, huh? -- Jacksonville, Fla., and Daytona Beach. Otherwise, the trip is wide open.
If there's a story you'd like to see in the Observer, please send me an email at tsorensen@charlotteobserver.
Thank you. Many of you know much more about racing than I ever will, and you've offered some great ideas. Don't stop now.
Tom--
One great "side road-main road" southbound through South Carolina and Georgia is U.S. 601, which will offer you many splendid stops in some great communities between Charlotte and the Sunshine State of Florida.
Posted by: David McKnight | February 09, 2007 at 04:17 PM
Tom
My 6 girlfriends and I are taking a week long girls vacation to the Daytona Motor Speedway. I will watch your article for good advice. See ya there.
Posted by: texene | February 09, 2007 at 07:34 PM
Could you be any more gay?
Posted by: Rodney Whipple | February 09, 2007 at 11:03 PM
Tom,
Sending you to cover a NASCAR event is like sending me to cover the damn opera.
Can't they find something constructive for you do to like maybe giving you a paper route in Myers Park or something?
Posted by: Dave Ross | February 10, 2007 at 02:43 AM
Dear Mr Journalist...oops Im sorry Mr. Reporter. (Remember, you smugly corrected me on that one once)
Try this route: I 77 North to I 40 west. Dont stop until you get there!
Have a good trip............
Posted by: Dean | February 10, 2007 at 08:23 AM
Tom, I have some info that will greatly assist you: Click on:
http://www.gaytona.com
Have a great trip?
Scott
Posted by: scott | February 10, 2007 at 07:01 PM
All these schmucky comments from such selfish detractors--maybe some folks can't stand the fact that The Observer has so many class acts among its great lineup of columnists. Good luck trying to use on-line slights to make The Observer less appealing to its readers. What has happened to my hometown of Charlotte, where people used to have such respect and high regard for talent and ability in the business and professional communities of the city?
Thank goodness we still have the Billy Graham Parkway to carry us through such ornery discourse on each side of the journalistic highway.
Posted by: David McKnight | February 11, 2007 at 01:47 AM
Back in the mid 70s I was in Daytona for Bike Week. Out on the west side of Volusia Co. we found a bar. It had a monkey, and a jar of hot pickled eggs. We fed the monkey the hot peppers. Check to see if the monkey is ok. Dave
Posted by: David | February 16, 2007 at 04:07 PM