TURKEY RUN

While car shows come and go, there is one legendary event that has been around for more than half a century. Well known to drivers in the Sunshine State, the show is equally famous not only throughout the U.S. but also admired and attended by enthusiasts around the world. The reason is simple. Held over the four-day Thanksgiving weekend, the Daytona Turkey Run gives showgoers more automotive fun than the next several big shows combined. Currently attracting nearly 7,000 vehicles to the infield at the Daytona International Speedway, this gigantic event evolved from a very humble beginning.

The origin of the show is credited to Stu Sarjeant and his five-year-old son, Tim, who, in 1973, attempted to enter their 1923 Ford T-Bucket in the Ormond Beach Gaslight Parade. Unfortunately, their hot rod, equipped with a 289 Ford V8, was turned away because modified cars were not allowed. As you can imagine, young Tim was heartbroken and asked his dad if there was a solution.

The following year, Stu certainly found one—organizing his own event where all vehicles were welcome. With just 45 registered show cars in 1974, the first Turkey Rod Run, as it was known back then, was held in the parking lot of the Howard Johnson hotel across from the Bellair Plaza in downtown Daytona Beach. Not only was it a success, but it also led to the formation of the Daytona Beach Street Rods in 1975. Sarjeant, along with friends Rick Finzer and Olin Hopes, recognized the need for expansion that year and moved their young event across the street to the Bellair Plaza, adding live bluegrass music along with the famous charity raffles that are still part of the format today.

The reputation of the annual car gathering quickly outgrew Bellair, prompting a series of moves that began with Seabreeze High School in 1982, then shifted to the Daytona Beach Airport in 1987. However, the ever-expanding popularity of the show meant that even the expansive accommodations of the airport proved inadequate, forcing the club to once again search for new venues.

Thankfully, in 1989, the partnership with the Daytona Beach Racing and Recreational Facilities District allowed the Turkey Run team to permanently set up shop in the infield of the Daytona International Speedway. The sprawling facilities could accommodate all the things that have made the car show a favorite with enthusiasts around the world, offering a welcoming atmosphere that showcases everything on wheels. They even decided to drop the word ‘Rod’ from the title, recognizing the far-ranging automotive attraction of the event. Here’s what to expect when you arrive.

If there are still a few elusive parts on that restoration project back in your garage, the massive swap meet at the ‘Run’ might be the answer. With nearly a thousand vendors offering everything from light bulbs to crate motors, the selection is mind-boggling. If it’s time to upgrade the family specialty vehicle, the endless variety on display at the Car Corral is the perfect place to find something new, with choices for every taste and budget. If it’s time to sell, count on the fact that there will be thousands of enthusiasts walking past your vehicle during the four-day weekend—most with cash in their pockets. There is always live entertainment and an opportunity to see and chat with automotive celebrities throughout the weekend. Scooter rentals solve mobility issues, food vendors are everywhere, the door prizes given out Friday and Saturday are substantial, and the annual giveaway car underscores the club’s long-standing community connection. The Daytona Beach Street Rods club has given more than a million dollars to Volusia area charities over the years. If all that wasn’t enough, the Turkey Run Nights is a free outdoor show in front of the Speedway that continues the fun well after dark.

Seeing the unparalleled success of the original event, the organizers created a spin-off in 1990, launching the Spring Daytona Turkey Run in the third week of March. It’s been a springtime favorite for the last 35 years. No matter which of these premier car shows you attend, however, there is always more to do than time to do it, which is, of course, the (not-so-secret) secret to the Turkey Run’s success! Put the fall event on your calendar now—November 27-30, 2025.