I know you're not a big NASCAR guy... road racing is more you're cup of tea..... but for me Daytona kicks it all off. Indy Car, F1, World of Outlaws, Sports Cars, hell.. even Go-Karts.
I can't say Auto Racing is my favorite sport, certainly doesn't approach football for me... but I CAN SAY that the atmosphere around auto racing is tops for me. The people, the cars, the tracks. I think it's one of those things you have to have grown up with, in a very close way. Like you I was around racing my entire life. I even helped, a few times, with a couple local race teams... Super Modified... and although it's not ground related for several years I was on an Air Race Team.
I never lose that adrenaline rush when they fire up those engines. Watching the pre-race coverage right now... and it's beautiful.