Daytona Speedway Super Bowl tailgate party planned

DAYTONA (FBW)—On Super Bowl Sunday, Daytona Speedway and Halifax Baptist Association are “pulling out all the stops to attract fans,” according to Dennis Belz, director of missions. Racing fans may enjoy not only the Rolex 24-Hour Race, but also a Super Bowl tailgate party sponsored by area Baptist churches after the race.

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The Rolex 24-hour race runs from noon Feb. 5 - noon Feb. 6. The race is a favorite of veteran actor Paul Newman, who annually participates in the Rolex event. At age 80, he plans to drive in the 2005 event.

At age 80, he plans to drive in the 2005 event. Super Bowl XXXIX will kick off six hours after the end of the race.

“When I first met with NASCAR officials at the first of the summer and suggested a Super Bowl party, they had never thought of such an event,” Belz said.

Area Baptist churches will provide a tailgate party “with all the fixings,” beginning at 5 p.m., Belz said. A large tent, decorated in the team colors of the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles, will be set up at Turn One, near the main entrance tunnel to the infield. Turn One is also near the designated RV area where more than 200 vehicles will be parked.

Church members are bringing homemade cookies, chips, dips, colas and water. Cason McClain, a member of Edgewater First Baptist Church, will be grilling hot dogs and hamburgers. During the telecast of Super Bowl XXXIX from Jacksonville, commercials and half time will be blacked out and replaced with videotaped and live testimonies. Door prizes will be awarded during game breaks.

The tailgate party is the first event of many during February for Halifax Association and its sponsored ministry, Raceway Ministry of Central Florida. Until Feb. 20, the date of the Daytona 500, the number of RV-ers will multiply, and ministry volunteers will welcome race fans to morning fellowships, game nights, concerts and chapel services. Known as the chapel of the Speedway, the ministry office volunteers meet the varied needs of race fans, according to Belz.

For more information, contact Central Florida Raceway Ministries, 386-258-7788.