We’re just 2 weeks away from the Roar at Before the Rolex 24, and NBC Sports has made it easy to get caught up on what’s in store for Daytona and IMSA in 2025. This Saturday, January 4, at 3 p.m. Eastern, you can tune into NBC and Peacock to get an hour-long season preview.
It’s one of two IMSA …
Thank you for the heads up.
I'd be okay if it was just a Star Wars-like opening crawl or just start, superhero style, with a deep-sounding voiceover: "last time in IMSA racing."
I am SO excited to be taking my boy to the race this year. I'm going to catch the preview to bring myself up to speed with the field.
In reply to Loweguy5 :
Speaking from experience, bringing a kid (4 years old, in my case) to watch race cars somehow makes watching race cars even more fun.
In reply to Colin Wood :
We routinely do NASCAR weekends but this will be a whole different animal (not to mention we are flying rather than driving and tailgating). My guy is 10 1/2, and I think he will really enjoy it.
Loweguy5 said:In reply to Colin Wood :
We routinely do NASCAR weekends but this will be a whole different animal (not to mention we are flying rather than driving and tailgating). My guy is 10 1/2, and I think he will really enjoy it.
Sounds like good father-and-son time to me! The Rolex 24 has a different vibe than the 500 - more of a festival atmosphere, and a bit more relaxed than a NASCAR race. I think you'll enjoy it. The fans are awesome.
Someday I have to go down for the Rolex 24. I think that is on my bucket list. Can't watch it on TV. Too many repetitive commercials makes it unwatchable for me. Great to take your kids!
In reply to KentF :
Avelo just started flying from a local airport in CT maybe a year ago and they offer a nonstop flight from here to Daytona for $49++. That was really what put me over the top on doing the trip. Got a deal on rental car and hotel through Costco, a ticket deal for Kennedy Space Center from AAA, and the aforementioned flights on the cheap. The timing just felt right to make it happen.
In reply to Loweguy5 :
My dad worked as a fireman at the Indy 500 and took me to my first race at age 14 (1977).
Twenty-two Indy 500 races and countless visits later.........
In reply to KentF :
For a similar vibe, but with fewer crowds, I'd recommend adding the HSR Classic 24 Hour At Daytona (November 5 - 9).
There are many recent former competitors, plus some truly iconic machines. Getting up close to the cars is a nice bonus, too.
(It's the first race I brought my daughter to)
Coming the other direction, the Vintage Festival at Lime Rock Park is a must-see. We live about 45 minutes from the track and try to get there every year. Beautiful scenery, access to everything, and the opportunity to visit scenic New England during beautiful weather.
In reply to Colin Wood :
My kids loved going to Road America - one time 5 racers told my daughter to hop in.
In reply to Datsun240ZGuy :
And that’s how you win: Get the next generation involved.
A friend of my brother races a Jaguar XJR-5. One time he gave several kids a ride in it from the upper to lower paddock at Road America (with parental permission). He's that type of guy. This was back around 2012 and it was already a seven figure car in the market.
After the kids were unloaded, he asked if my brother and I wanted to sit behind the wheel. We couldn't believe it, but he was serious.
Just to sit there was one of my automotive lifetime highlights. We had to do a bit of gymnastics to get in but once behind the wheel there was a surprising amount of head and leg room. We (at 6ft and 6'3" tall) expected it to be cramped, but it wasn't at all.
To appease the internet, "Pic or it didn't happen." 
Loweguy5 said:In reply to KentF :
Avelo just started flying from a local airport in CT maybe a year ago and they offer a nonstop flight from here to Daytona for $49++. That was really what put me over the top on doing the trip. Got a deal on rental car and hotel through Costco, a ticket deal for Kennedy Space Center from AAA, and the aforementioned flights on the cheap. The timing just felt right to make it happen.
Top notch itinerary here. KSC really is one of the best tickets in Central Fla. Make sure you do one of the bus tours as well. Which one really doesn't matter as they're all awesome and all well worth the extra $$.
In reply to JG Pasterjak :
Thank you JG. We arrive at 630pm on Thursday and our flight leaves around 630 on Sunday so it's a compact trip. Friday to KSC, weekend at the track, head to the airport shortly after.
I'm hoping to at least get through the Embry Riddle campus quickly too. My boy is really into planes and space travel, so I'm thinking a quick stop to see the campus may inspire him even further.
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