The Journey Begins
“Let me preface by saying that the last time I was at a Daytona race was when I was pregnant with my daughter—she’s now 26,” says freelance writer Jennifer Prince. “So, when my husband and son decided to head to Daytona for Speedweeks, I was intrigued.”
Although Jennifer wasn’t an avid NASCAR fan, her family had just purchased a 2024 Airstream Interstate 19. They realized that traveling from Virginia to Daytona, FL, would be a perfect first experience to acclimate to their new RV.
Preparing for the Adventure
As Jennifer busily prepared the RV for comfort, stocking it with bedding, cooking essentials, and towels, her husband, Earl, handled the more technical aspects of their upcoming journey. He prepared by reading manuals, checking fluids, and ensuring he knew how everything worked.
By the time February arrived, the Prince family was full of excitement and ready to hit the road. Although the final destination was 10 hours away, they knew that their trusty touring coach would be a fabulous basecamp for Daytona Speedweeks.
On the big day, Jennifer settled into the passenger seat, elated to finally embark on the trip her family had been discussing for months. The Prince family’s clothes were tucked into the overhead bins, the tiny pantry was filled with snacks, and they had stocked all the essentials to make their must-have morning coffee.
The journey in the RV was peaceful, and anticipation permeated the air. “With the music on and cheerful hearts, we chatted about our plans for the week and how much we were looking forward to spending time with our son, William, and daughter-in-law, Chandler, who were driving from Houston to meet us,” Jennifer recalls. “The hours seemed to roll by as we viewed the highway from the cushiness of our seats.”
Arriving at Daytona Speedweeks
The Princes intentionally arrived early at their RV site to secure an easy-access spot near William’s pop-up camper and pickup truck combo. After parking, Earl and Jennifer extended the awning, rolled out their rug, and unpacked their camping chairs, setting up their little home away from home. As the guys cooked on the grill outside, Jennifer learned how to use the hotplate-style stove.
As other RVers came, Jennifer and Earl scanned their setups, which included satellite dishes and decor of all sorts, including high-flying flags and life-sized cardboard cutouts of NASCAR drivers that made Jennifer chuckle.
“While I knew our Airstream Interstate 19 was perfect for the two of us, I admired the variety of vehicles around, from spacious Class A motorhomes to the shiny, cylindrical cousins of our RV,” she reflects.
Jennifer spent time exploring the surrounding area, noting baby bathtubs, dogs, and adult mobility walkers at various sites, indicating that the entire family was welcome. She also made mental notes of campsite arrangements and creative license plates.
Some folks even proudly displayed signs bearing their RV's name; Jennifer found the idea enchanting. “That’s an idea I’ve pocketed for the future, as ours is called Florrie, named for her inaugural trip to The Sunshine State,” she explains.
As Jennifer drifted to sleep that night, she envisioned the design of their own plaque. Sleep came quickly, resting on their mattress with its cozy memory foam topper— a Christmas splurge that was well worth the cost to ensure a good night’s rest.
The NASCAR Experience
“I could see why our RV camp was so popular. We were a short distance from the Daytona International Speedway, so instead of driving and finding parking (which wasn’t cheap), we could easily walk over to the events,” Jennifer remembers. An added benefit was hearing the racers practicing and feeling the afterburners as the Princes watched the USAF Thunderbirds review their routine over their RV site.
However, as Jennifer continued exploring during the course of the week, she began to notice something deeper—community. “Clusters of friends hugged and greeted each other as they reconnected,” she says. “These were people who gathered year after year to attend Speedweeks. The atmosphere slowly shifted from being in an RV in a field to becoming part of this bustling assemblage. There was something special about being in the same place, at the same time, with the same people, for the same purpose. And it was exhilarating.”
As they’d expected, the Prince family slowly tweaked their setup over the week, including a much-needed impulse purchase at the nearby Bucc-ee’s—a compact aluminum table that was a necessary addition to their outdoor space. And, even though their favorite driver didn’t win the Daytona 500, Earl and Jennifer had a wonderful time with family while figuring out how the RV life works.
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The RV Advantage: A Sense of Community
For Jennifer, the biggest takeaway was the unexpected sense of camaraderie— a feeling that Speedweeks was about way more than cars doing left turns for 500 miles around a racetrack.
“It was about meeting like-minded people and bonding with our neighbors. It was a little sad to say goodbye, so we let them know we’d see them again next year instead. And we will. We’re already planning our 2027 week,” Jennifer shares. “We’re hooked, and we can’t wait to go back— and I think Florrie feels the same.”
