Daytona Turkey Run draws thousands of classic car fans to the speedway
ALL RIGHT. TONY SEE YOU. THAT REVVED UP ENGINES AND ROWS OF CLASSIC CARS ARE TAKING OVER DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY THIS WEEK. THOUSANDS OF CAR LOVERS ARE IN VOLUSIA FOR ONE OF THE BIGGEST AUTO SHOWS IN THE COUNTRY. WESH TWO PAMELA COMME TAKES US INSIDE THIS YEAR’S DAYTONA TURKEY RUN. THERE’S NOTHING LIKE THE SOUND OF A CLASSIC ENGINE COMING TO LIFE. THE POWER SOUNDS LIKE POWER. THAT’S THE BEST PART OF THESE CARS. FOR DECADES, THE DAYTONA TURKEY RUN HAS BEEN A HOLIDAY TRADITION FOR FAMILIES, COLLECTORS, AND CAR CLUBS FROM ALL OVER. WE SPOTTED THIS 1937 GMC. I MEAN, CAN YOU BELIEVE A CAR THIS OLD LOOKS THIS GOOD? MANY OWNERS SPEND MONTHS, SOMETIMES YEARS, RESTORING THEIR CLASSICS TO PERFECTION. ACTUALLY, MY SON BUILT THE CAR, AND THERE’S NO BETTER FEELING THAN WATCHING CROWDS STOP BY. EVERYBODY I DROVE IT AROUND, GAVE ME THUMBS UP, SAID NICE CAR. FOR THE LAST 52 YEARS, THE EVENT HAS MOVED AROUND DAYTONA BEACH. BUT FOR MORE THAN THREE DECADES, IT’S MADE ITS HOME INSIDE THE WORLD FAMOUS SPEEDWAY. SINCE 1989, IT’S BEEN RIGHT HERE IN DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY, AND WE COVER EVERY SQUARE INCH OF THE GROUND. THERE’S A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING HERE SHINEY ROWS OF COLLECTOR CARS, FAMILIES WANDERING THE INFIELD AND TREASURE HUNTERS DIGGING FOR HIDDEN GEMS AT THE SWAP MEET. IT’S A FAMILY HOBBY FOR US TO, YOU KNOW EVERYBODY. THE KIDS ARE INTO CARS, AND FOR MANY, IT’S MORE THAN JUST A CAR SHOW. IT’S A COMMUNITY BUILT AROUND A SHARED LOVE FOR ENGINES. FAMILIES SKIP THE TURKEY AND TRIMMINGS ALTOGETHER JUST TO BE PART OF THIS HOLIDAY TRADITION. MY WIFE BEHIND YOU, SHE ONLY LETS ME COME EVERY OTHER YEAR. SO I GOT TO MAKE A DEAL WITH HER FOR NEXT YEAR TO COME BACK. COVERING VOLUSIA COUNTY IN DAYTONA BEACH, PAMELA COMME WESH TWO NEWS. THE TURKEY R
Daytona Turkey Run draws thousands of classic car fans to the speedway
Updated: 6:54 PM EST Nov 27, 2025
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The rumble of engines echoed across the infield at Daytona International Speedway as thousands of car lovers gathered for the annual Daytona Turkey Run, a decades-long Thanksgiving weekend tradition.There’s nothing like the sound of a classic engine coming to life.”The power, that’s the best part of these cars,” said attendee Paul Leonard, he is also general manager of Ford Family Auto Collection and Full Blown Chaos. For more than 50 years, the Turkey Run has brought together families, collectors, and car clubs from around the country. The event showcases more than 6,000 classic, custom and collector cars. Many of the vehicles on display are the result of years of restoration work. Dennis Van Luvean said the car he brought to the show is a family project. “Actually, my son built the car,” he said.For owners, showing off their work and watching the crowd react is the best part of the event.“I drove it around, and everybody gave me a thumbs up and said, ‘Nice car,’” Leonard said.The Turkey Run began more than 52 years ago and has moved across various Daytona Beach locations. But for more than three decades, it has been held inside the iconic Speedway.“Since 1989, it’s been right here in the heart of Daytona International Speedway,” said Jay Gritton, the Turkey Run director of operations. “And we cover every square inch of the ground.”Visitors can find just about everything automotive on-site: rows of gleaming collector cars, families roaming the infield, and a massive swap meet where treasure hunters look for rare parts and memorabilia.“It’s a family hobby for us,” Van Luvean said. “The kids are into cars, too.”For many families, the Turkey Run has become a holiday ritual, even replacing Thanksgiving dinner for some.“They only let me come every other year,” Leonard joked. “So I’ve got to make a deal for next year to come back.”The Daytona Turkey Run continues to be one of the largest and most beloved classic car events in the Southeast, attracting thousands of people eager to celebrate craftsmanship, nostalgia and community. It runs through Sunday. Tickets are $20 for adults.
The rumble of engines echoed across the infield at Daytona International Speedway as thousands of car lovers gathered for the annual Daytona Turkey Run, a decades-long Thanksgiving weekend tradition.
There’s nothing like the sound of a classic engine coming to life.
“The power, that’s the best part of these cars,” said attendee Paul Leonard, he is also general manager of Ford Family Auto Collection and Full Blown Chaos.
For more than 50 years, the Turkey Run has brought together families, collectors, and car clubs from around the country. The event showcases more than 6,000 classic, custom and collector cars.
Many of the vehicles on display are the result of years of restoration work. Dennis Van Luvean said the car he brought to the show is a family project. “Actually, my son built the car,” he said.
For owners, showing off their work and watching the crowd react is the best part of the event.
“I drove it around, and everybody gave me a thumbs up and said, ‘Nice car,’” Leonard said.
The Turkey Run began more than 52 years ago and has moved across various Daytona Beach locations. But for more than three decades, it has been held inside the iconic Speedway.
“Since 1989, it’s been right here in the heart of Daytona International Speedway,” said Jay Gritton, the Turkey Run director of operations. “And we cover every square inch of the ground.”
Visitors can find just about everything automotive on-site: rows of gleaming collector cars, families roaming the infield, and a massive swap meet where treasure hunters look for rare parts and memorabilia.
“It’s a family hobby for us,” Van Luvean said. “The kids are into cars, too.”
For many families, the Turkey Run has become a holiday ritual, even replacing Thanksgiving dinner for some.
“They only let me come every other year,” Leonard joked. “So I’ve got to make a deal for next year to come back.”
The Daytona Turkey Run continues to be one of the largest and most beloved classic car events in the Southeast, attracting thousands of people eager to celebrate craftsmanship, nostalgia and community. It runs through Sunday. Tickets are $20 for adults.
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