Settled in at Daytona International Speedway

Headline Surfer photos by Henry Frederick / Parking was a breeze at Daytona International Speedway early Thursday for the 24/7 Internet newspaper editor/publisher with the tunnel shown in the middle and campers in the infield.

DAYTONA BEACH -- There was no way I was going to get caught up in a traffic jam again at Daytona International Speedway like the mess I got caught up in Thursday on my way home to New Smyrna Beach.

So this morning, I got an early start. Really early: 2 a.m. I was here in 30 minutes with no hassles.

All I had to do was show my media credentials and I was through the tunnel to the infield.

Speedway officials are very strict about the credentials, so I had my parking pass affixed inside the windshield and the credential for the media center and the garage, where I interact with the drivers, crew chiefs, etc.

I have plenty of work to keep me busy during the early part of the day, then I'll take a nap (brought a pillow) and get ready for the ruck race under the lights.

With the exception of 2006-2008, when I was working as a city editor in Taunton, Mass., and commuting by plane once or twice a month, I've been to Daytona International Speedway since 1996. I never grow tired of it, having covered it virtually every year since then. I've been covering the races here with Headline Surfer, the 24/7 Internet newspaper.

It's one of those assignments I've enjoyed covering over the years, especially the Daytona 500.

Like many of you, I was stunned by the 2001 death of Dale Earnhardt, killed on the fourth turn, when he was bumped from behind and was sent into the outer wall. He was killed instantly.

A bronze statue of Dale Earnhardt is clearly visible overnight Wednesday at the entrance of Daytona International Speedway.

There's a statue of Earnhardt in front of the speedway.

That race took on added importance because his widow, Teresa Earnhardt, filed suit in district court to keep his autopsy photos sealed and away from the media. Despite all the legalese, it had its share of drama.

I remember in my return to DIS that same season for the July 4th weekend Pepsi 400 how intense the racing fans were in their support of Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

And he didn't disappoint, winning the race under the lights with Michael Waltrip on his rear bumper keeping other drivers at bay.

Ironically, it was Junior who finished second to Waltrip with his father running third at the time, when he was bumped by Sterling Marlin.

An early 1970s Plymouth is shown here in the infield at Daytona International Speedway.

It will be interesting to see if "Little E" as he was called then can work some magic like he did four years after his father's death to win the Daytona 500, and last year when he finished a close second to winner Matt Kenseth.

There are three great things about living here in greater Daytona Beach: NASCAR racing at DIS, the World's Most Famous Beach and the sunshine.

Speaking of the sun, it should be rising soon and paving the way for another day filled with challenges. I'll take it over the snow any day.