Recession Unheard of In Daytona
By Vcnlo Wolfsohn DAYTONA BEACH, Fin., Feb. 15ÛÓIf thereÛªs a recession out there, it has not yet come to the little world of Daytona International Speedway.</br></br>The track had the largest advance ticket sale in its history for the 17th renewal of the 500-mile Grand National stock car race Sunday. More than 100,000 fans are expected, a very large percentage in mobile homes. Those who prefer motels can find pleasant rooms within a few minutes of the track for $8 a night single, $11 a night double.</br></br>About the only noticeable impact the current economic Hard times have had here is among hangers-on in the garage area. ÛÏThere ,arenÛªt any caps or jackets or any good things being given away this year,Û one regular complained. ÛÏOf course, the racing teams arenÛªt getting anything for nothing, either.Û That doesnÛªt seem to affect area businessmen. "Everyone is spending. Everyone is optimistic,Û smiled the men at the Frankland Engineering trailer. The Buskin, Fla., firm sells very expensive speed equipment. "The little guys are spending more carefully, but they are buying things.Û</br></br>Johnny Divers, a Fairfax, Va., race car builder and tire dealer, admits the recession has seriously damaged his passenger-car tire business. ÛÏBut my racing business is good. I donÛªt know where the money is coming from, but this looks like it will be a pretty good year."</br></br>Driver and car owner Elmo Langley, formerly of handover, Md.. and now of Charlotte. N.C., isnÛªt quite so confident. A full-time racer, Langley said everything costs him more ÛÏfrom highway tolls to equipment to expenses at home.Û He has no wealthy sponsor ÛÏbut 1 got a good start this year by finishing fifth in last monthÛªs Riverside (Calif.) road race.Û