50th Daytona Turkey Run offers a Thanksgiving feast for classic car fans

Jim Abbott, Daytona Beach News-Journal
Updated ·2 min read

When it comes to Thanksgiving events, you can keep your football games and parades.

For classic-car lovers, the highlight of the holiday weekend at the World’s Most Famous Beach is always the mammoth buffet of chrome, carburetors and custom cars at the annual Fall Turkey Run at Daytona International Speedway.

Daytona Turkey Run at Daytona International Speedway, Friday, March 24, 2023
Daytona Turkey Run at Daytona International Speedway, Friday, March 24, 2023

This year’s edition, the milestone 50th annual, unfolds Nov. 23-26 in the Speedway’s massive infield.

Here’s what you need to know:

When does the fall Turkey Run happen?

The Turkey Run rolls throughout Thanksgiving weekend in the infield at Daytona International Speedway, 1801 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach.

Hours are 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday.

What’s admission for the fall Turkey Run?

Admission at the gate is $20 daily Thursday-Saturday; $15 on Sunday.  Ages 11 and younger are free. Daily admission tickets, as well as multiple day passes, also can be purchased in advance (for an additional fee) by visiting turkeyrun.com.

How many cars are at Fall Turkey Run?

Over 5,000 collector cars will be on display at the event’s car show in the eastern portion of the Speedway infield. In addition, another 1,500 collectible vehicles will be showcased for sale or trade in the event’s Car Corral.

What about accessories and merchandise?

More than 2,000 vendors will be selling every imaginable classic-car part or accessory in the event’s daily swap meet, everything from crankshafts to towlines.

Out from under the hood, an array of handcrafted décor, trinkets, T-shirts and other fashion statements will be for sale in the Artisan Alley.

Will there be celebrities?

Absolutely.

Joe and Mandi Martin, of MotorTrend TV’s “Iron Resurrection,” will stop for meet-and-greets during the event at times to be announced on the turkeyrun.com website.

In addition to thousands of collectible vehicles, the 50th anniversary edition of the fall Turkey Run classi-car show also will offer an array of vendors and artisans with every imaginable accessory for car buffs. The event returns Nov. 23-26 at Daytona International Speedway.
In addition to thousands of collectible vehicles, the 50th anniversary edition of the fall Turkey Run classi-car show also will offer an array of vendors and artisans with every imaginable accessory for car buffs. The event returns Nov. 23-26 at Daytona International Speedway.

There also will opportunities to meet Chad Hiltz and Jolene Macintyre, hosts of Discovery’s “Bad Chad Customs” custom-car show.

In addition, this year’s event also will feature appearances by the original Batcopter that appeared in the classic 1966 “Batman” movie, as well as the TV-era Batmobile and Batbike.

Where can I get more Turkey Run information?

Visit turkeyrun.com for the latest updates on the schedule and events.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Fall Turkey Run ready to return Thanksgiving weekend in Daytona Beach