Curator’s statement
This year’s Daytona 500 is on February 13 to 15, 2026. This guide is to help get a total immersion experience in the “Great American Race” while mitigating exposure to gluten, thereby ensuring an amazing weekend can be had by all.
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Day 1: The check-in & track immersion
The stay: Check into The Daytona, Autograph Collection. Head to the lobby immediately to see the rotating gallery of historic race cars.
The afternoon: Walk across the street to the UNOH FanZone. This is your time to get up close to the garages and see the cars being teched for Sunday.
Dinner: P.F. Chang’s (Victory Circle).
The protocol: This is the most vetted kitchen in the area. They use square plates specifically to identify gluten-free dishes. Order the GF Mongolian Beef or GF Singapore Street Noodles.
The advantage: No driving required. Enjoy a drink and walk back to your room to avoid the Friday night traffic.
Day 2: Beach heritage & tactical prep
Morning: Drive down to Ponce Inlet and visit Racing’s North Turn. It’s built on the exact sand where NASCAR began.
Lunch: Bonefish Grill. Order the wood-grilled Atlantic salmon or Chilean sea bass.
The protocol: Use the “Clean Pan” request from your Guide Card below. Avoid the shared grill where they toast bread.
The afternoon “Supply Run”: Stop at Publix (Port Orange). You need to stock your race-day cooler today.
The buy: Bottled water (freeze four of them tonight), pre-packaged GF jerky, meat sticks, and certified GF snacks.
Day 3: The main event (Sunday, February 15)
Race car Daytona 500
9 am: Cooler Lockdown: Pack your 14x14x14 soft-sided cooler. Use your frozen water bottles as ice packs—as they melt, you have ice-cold water for the 3rd stage of the race.
The strategy: Security is strict. Tell the gate agent: “Medical Allergy, Safe Food” if they question your pre-packaged meals.
The post-race escape: Do not try to leave the parking lot immediately after the checkered flag. Walk back to One Daytona, grab a celebratory meal at 4Rivers Smokehouse (stick to the brisket/pulled pork with no sauce), and let the 100,000+ fans clear out for two hours while you relax.
Need to know
Pro tips:
Cooler Rule: Soft-sided ONLY. Max 14”x14”x14”. No glass allowed.
The “Golden Rule”: Do not rely on stadium concessions. Your cooler is your only 100 percent safety guarantee.
Hydration: DRINK LOTS OF WATER. Freeze water bottles to use as ice packs.
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