Morris, 52, of Port Orange, is the sign-shop supervisor at Daytona International Speedway. He has worked at the Speedway 12 years, following an 11-year run at the News-Journal. One of his many duties at the track is to paint Daytona’s iconic start-finish line.
Question: What kind of signs do you make?
Morris: “I do everything from the most temporary sign, which is instructing people how to get from Point A to Point B during a particular event, to the permanent signs under the grandstands. I also paint the logos you see on the walls along the high-banked track. I’m responsible for all of that.”
Question:How often do you have to paint the walls white during Speed Weeks?
Morris: “Every night, even the night before the race, we get out there and prep it for the next day. We will paint the entire wall before Speed Weeks. Wherever cars touch the wall, we’ll give that area attention. We touch up the walls, touch up the logos and make sure it’s all ready to go for the next day. The very last thing I do, is paint the start-finish line, so it’s a nice white and black for the race.”
Question:Do you still free-hand signs with a brush?
Morris: “I love that. I love to paint. I love to sign letters and get out the old quills and paint signs. You can’t get that out of your blood. I hope it’s something I always have to do.”
Question:You seem pretty happy.
Morris: “It’s the perfect environment. I have been here since Dale Earnhardt won the Daytona 500 (1998), and I have been entrenched here ever since.”
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