72 hours at daytona

Earlier this year, I got a text from a good buddy of mine that he was heading to Daytona from an invitation by Hyundai USA. He had been on the “influential driver” list for them and was getting free Hyundai’s to whip around in LA. Another part of that deal was that they’d send him to Daytona for the opening round of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge. And he needed a photographer…

Long story short, Jordan and I managed to get a “photographer” budget added on courtesy of Hyundai which meant I’d be travelling for free and have a full grid pass for the entire weekend. Win / win.

Now, full disclosure, I’ve never been to an IMSA race event. Before this, the only races I’d been to were at a quarter mile track back home in Washington called the Super Oval. (Still hosts some of the best racing events you can watch on the west coast, IMO.) Going from small town demolition derby and stock-car racing to an IMSA-ran competition at one of the most famous venues in the world was a bit of a shock, in the best way possible.