I'm planning a NASCAR vacation. Which would you choose?

The 2006 BofA 500 was quite chilly. We had young kids with us (2,4,5) and they fell asleep and were pretty cold. However, Daytona in July is HOT. Baking in July heat in Florida is not my idea of a good time. I would say the the BofA 500. As mentioned in the other answer, you can visit all of the shops (Hendrick is only a mile or so from the track). The Hall of Fame is in Charlotte. The Sam Bass Art Gallery is right across the street from the track. Sam himself came out and signed some autographs and gave each of my kids a die cast 1/64 car. Pretty cool guy. Also, you're going to see better racing. Daytona is historical and cool and fun and all and drafting is exciting on TV, but unfortunately it's not very much fun to watch live (no offense Daytona lovers). Daytona is something to see simply because of the history and it's a type of racing you can only get at two tracks. I love going to the ocean, and I'm a space shuttle junkie, but Charlotte would be my choice. A much more thorough race experience. Just bring a jacket.

Charlotte pros

teams are located there

cheaper

restaurants, stores, malls, hotels and movie theaters are near the track

cool at night

Cons

visit restaurants at night and traffic is bad.

Daytona pros

great racing

daytona beach flea market where you can get great deals on nascar merchandise

resturants, stores, malls, movie theaters and hotels near the track

great nightlife

beach

track tour and see the 500 winning car

Cons

expensive

hot

might rain

Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600 is the best race for you. Memorial day weekend so you get an extra day, and like you said there is a lot to do for the fans. Food lion sponsors a street fair starting on Thursday and the hall of fame is right there I always have fun.

Daytona has a great beach.. Not far from the Kennedy Space Center.. NASCAR USA.. Lots of touristy stuff..

daytona is a great experience,but if your really into watching racing you won't see much there,the track is so big you only catch an occasional glimps of the cars.I'd go to charlotte.

i used to live in charlotte and i have been to one daytona race (the 500 in 1992) i would choose the july 4th weekend race in daytona simply because of the weather. it's cold in late oct in charlotte, trust me.

i would go to Charlotte

it would be chilly

but there also you can go to many shops the HOF and even Carrowinds amusement park much cheaper than Disney

and while their you could ride the Intimidater

Daytona you could relax on the Beach but it will be very crowded

Both are good, but if you go to Charlotte you could visit race shops, etc.