Some of the best moments of my life have been spent in the Daytona Garages, the Friday night before the 24 hour race. The typically crisp, windy air blowing through the bays, chilling our bones while air guns chatter and cars get pushed around the grounds in preparation for one of America’s greatest racing events. 

We talk as friends and family. We bond deeply while the war horses await their fate, their purpose. These are the moments I’ll take with me. These are the moments I think about when I need peace or meaning. These are the moments I gaze upon throughout the rest of the year, in good times and bad. I hope to pass these onto my son and daughters. I hope they can understand the meaning of things like this. It’s not just about racing or the motorcar, it’s something deeper. I think of the scene at the end of Traffic. We are passengers here. This is how we are meant to feel so that we can suffer elsewhere knowing this is possible. This is why I love this passion, sometimes to a fault. 

I am lucky enough to get this moment in good company every year. I want to thank those whom I have shared it with and I hope this humble, tiny speck of dust within the infinite world of the internet lives on long after I am gone so that the spirit of these beautiful moments can be remembered by those who will come after me. 

Thank you.

-Nick Petakas