By ohnson 
Today, we dedicated our time at the Living Legends of Auto Racing Museum nestled within the Sunshine Mall in South Daytona, Florida. We relished the opportunity to engage in conversations with the members and marvel at the numerous exhibits and displays. We were particularly enthralled by the Legends of the Northeast section of the museum. The LLOAR is resolute in preserving the rich history of racing, and we discovered a devoted group diligently working on the plethora of events and activities they have meticulously planned for the week leading up to the Daytona 500.
If you are journeying to Florida for Speed Weeks 2017 and have a penchant for racing history, much like us, then some of the ensuing events in and around the Daytona Beach area are bound to pique your interest.
First and foremost, on Saturday, February 18, the North Turn Historic Legends Beach Road Course Parade will set the tone for the numerous activities slated for Speed Weeks. This annual extravaganza commences this year from Racing’s North Turn Restaurant, located at 4511 S. Atlantic Ave., Ponce Inlet, Fl. The staging of the cars in the restaurant’s west parking lot commences punctually at 7 am, with the parade getting underway at 10 am. Driver autographs and interviews with Chocolate Myers of Trading Paint on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio and his wife, Caron, will commence at 11:30 am. If you have the inclination to participate in the parade, your car must be a race car or a replica of a race car from 1958 or earlier. For registration particulars, email NorthTurnBeachParade@gmail.com or call Rhonda at (386) 566-1167 or Bob at (386) 956-3465.
Living Legends of Auto Racing will be the driving force behind a series of events throughout the week prior to the Daytona 500. We have just received information from Lou Lazzazo, Jr. that he will be bringing the street legal replica of his father’s renowned No. 4 to Daytona Beach for several of the planned events.
Commencing on Sunday, February 19, is the Beach Racing Days event at the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm. This event is jointly sponsored by LLOAR and the North Turn Restaurant. Admission to the Lighthouse is $6.95 for adults and $1.95 for children 11 and under.
On Monday, February 20, the LLOAR Annual Beachside Car Show and Parade will take place at the Drive-Inn Christian Church on A1A, Daytona Beach Shores. The staging of the cars begins at 9 am. The cars will be on display until 1 pm when they will parade north on A1A and then return to the Drive-Inn Church. For details on this event, call John West at (386) 290-4192.
On Tuesday, February 21, the LLOAR Charity Auction and Autograph Session kicks off at 5 pm at the Shores Resort & Spa in Daytona Beach Shores. Tickets are priced at $15.00 each, or $20.00 at the door. The event encompasses an auction of new and vintage race memorabilia, autographs, light snacks, door prizes, and much more. This event benefits the NASCAR Foundation and LLOAR. For information, call Paulette at (386) 299-7343 or FLMETSFAN@aol.com.
On Wednesday, February 22, the LLOAR will host their annual banquet at the Shores Resort and Spa. For information regarding this event, contact Joan Maxwell at (386) 255-7428.
On Thursday, February 23, join “Dynamite” Dave Dion and a host of racers for some nostalgic story sharing and bench racing. This event is complimentary and takes place at the LLOAR Museum, 2400 Ridgewood Ave., South Daytona (inside the Sunshine Mall) from 10 am to 2 pm. For information, call Dave at (603) 320-3095 or the museum at (386) 763-4483.
On Friday, February 24, the LLOAR’s Racing History Bus Tour will depart from the LLOAR Museum precisely at 8 am. This tour encompasses locations where NASCAR originated and will make a stop at Racing North Turn Restaurant for a lunch with a “Taste of Racing History”. The tour will culminate at the museum. The cost is $50.00, and reservations are mandatory. Call Gary Smith at (386) 252-1879 or the museum at (386) 763-4483.
Also on Friday, February 24, the 8th Annual Modified Reunion will be held at New Smyrna Speedway from 12 pm to 5 pm. This event showcases the Modified Legends of the Northeast and commemorates the Golden Days of Modified racing, complete with exhibitions and displays. Admission is free, and those attending the reunion will be provided with a Free ticket to the Richie Evens Memorial race later that evening. Contact Geoff Yoder at geoffyoder@hotmail.com. The rain date is February 25th.
Back Home Activities:
This Saturday, February 11th, the DKM 2017 Kick-Off Race Party in memory of Henry Ross, III will be held at Checkers Out Speedway, 2299 State Highway 30A, Johnstown, NY at 3 pm in the afternoon. The event will also raise funds for the Fulton County Sheriff’s Association Henry Ross Snowmobile Fund. Racing will cost $25 per person and this also includes a buffet. Anyone not racing can relish the buffet for $5.00.
The annual Haslun Racing fundraiser will be held on February 18th at the Roadway Inn (formerly Best Western) in Cobleskill. A $10.00 donation at the door will grant you entry to enjoy dancing and entertainment, door prizes, and much more. The festivities will transpire from 7-11 pm. This annual event is hosted by Cliff and Danny Haslun.
We are likely to attend as many of the Daytona Beach activities as feasible, but our primary focus will be on the Modifieds at Volusia Speedway for the DIRTcar Nationals. The 46th Annual DIRTcar Nationals commence on February 14 and continue through February 25.
Until the next time, please dispatch all news and/or comments to biittig@yahoo.com