As a professional racing driver, Step One Automotive Group athlete Juan Manuel Correa lives his life at the wheel, and to celebrate his 23rd birthday, he wants to give you a present! Noting all of JM’s favorite places, we created the perfect road trip by swapping the race track for the road. This trip includes 23 stops across the Sunshine State, and we promise it will be full of sun, sea, and adventure.

Our journey begins at the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola in northwest Florida, where an action-packed itinerary awaits.

Stop 1: National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola

JM: “As a racing driver, going fast is a big part of my life and behind the wheel. I need fighter-pilot-like reflexes. I love fast planes and the flyovers we have during Grand Prix weekends. Getting this close to them would be an amazing experience. The Blue Angels aerobatic squad also sometimes practices over Pensacola – I wouldn’t mind having a go myself!”

Stop 2: 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Camp Bull Simons, outside Crestview

JM: “Because of Step One Automotive Group, I was lucky to meet these guys in December of 2021. These individuals are wounded warriors who have returned to active duty in the United States armed forces, and these people inspire me. Interestingly, we even share some similar injuries, and it would be great to go back and see how they’re doing.”

Stop 3: Step One Headquarters, Fort Walton Beach

Juan Manuel Correa: “Fort Walton Beach is an amazing part of Florida, and it’s also the home of Step One Automotive Group which has played a massive part in my career to date. Since we’re picking up one of Step One’s many vehicles for the journey, it makes sense for us to start our road trip from here!”

Stop 4: Al’s Beach Club, Fort Walton Beach

JM: “Al’s Beach Club is one of the best places to grab food in the Fort Walton Beach area. The restaurant is completely open to the outside, and there’s nothing like grabbing a burger and a shake and then relaxing right by the Gulf of Mexico. We’ve also done quite a few TV commercials close to here!”

Stop 5: Tallahassee Antique Car Museum, Tallahassee

JM: “I love cars and especially old cars which have a lot of character. The Tallahassee Antique Car Museum is home to over 160 classic vehicles. I could easily get lost in here.”

Stop 6: Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach

JM: “Daytona is the home of one of the biggest events in all motorsports, the Daytona 500, and it’s an event I’d love to attend. Seeing the 40 drivers racing door-to-door, jostling for position is an iconic scene in this sport. Daytona is definitely on my list of stops.”

Stop 7: Walt Disney World, Orlando

JM: “A road trip across Florida wouldn’t be complete without visiting Walt Disney World. No matter how old you are, it’s an absolute must.”

Stop 8: Universal Studios, Orlando

JM: “Universal Studios is the place to be regarding rollercoasters and rides. I love it here, and it’s a chance to let someone else take the wheel!”

Stop 9: Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island

JM: “The work that NASA does is incredible, and at the Kennedy Space Center, you can get up close and personal with history. They also have a shuttle launch experience, which is something I’d like to do!”

Stop 10: Abandoned Pet Rescue (APR), Fort Lauderdale

JM: “I love animals, and especially dogs, and I’d like to visit APR as part of the road trip. APR shelters and rescues abandoned dogs and cats and tries to find them new homes, and they have cared for almost 7,000 animals in the past ten years. I want to see what they do, but I’ll probably adopt a dog if I’m not careful!

Stop 11: Mama’s Tacos, Miami

JM: “If we’re going to Miami, the first stop has to be Mama’s Tacos. Mama’s Tacos has the best tacos in town, and it’s my go-to place for good. It’s incredible.”

Stop 12: FTX Arena, Miami

JM: “Whenever I’m in Miami, I try to catch a Miami Heat game. I like the Miami Heat because they want to be the best and train their players to be at the top of their game. I like to do the same, and I always want to be at my peak when I’m in the car.”

Stop 13: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami

JM: “If I’m in Miami, I have to support my local team. Even if you’re not a football fan, you’ve got to go to an NFL game at some point just to experience it. The energy at the Hard Rock when the Dolphins play is incredible!”

Stop 14: South Beach, Miami

JM: “I’m a very active person, but I also like to take time out of my day so I can switch off and relax. South Beach is the perfect place to rest and recharge.”

Stop 15: Wynwood Walls, Miami

JM: “The Wynwood Walls are a really cool place to visit in Miami, and the graffiti and street art really shows part of the city’s culture. I love coming here to see what’s on and what’s new. It’s a really cool scene.”

Stop 16: Homestead Karting, Homestead

JM: “I’m a racing driver, and I love what I do. Even when I’m on vacation, I can’t help but go wheel-to-wheel with my friends! Homestead Karting was my second home when I was a kid, and since we’re in the area, it would be such a shame not to go.”

Stop 17: Everglades National Park

JM: “The Everglades cover a massive part of southern Florida and allow you to visit a quiet and untouched part of the state. Exploring this place on an airboat is the adventure that I need!”

Stop 18: Snorkelling, Florida Keys

JM: “On a hot day, there isn’t a better place to be than in the water. The Florida Keys are the perfect place to go snorkeling and diving, and there are almost 1,000 shipwrecks in the area. I’d like to explore a few of them when I’m around.”

Stop 19: The Turtle Hospital, Florida Keys

JM: “When we’re visiting the Florida Keys, I’m definitely stopping to visit The Turtle Hospital. It’s a really cool charity that helps to rehabilitate injured sea turtles, and once they’re better, they release them back into the wild. They also do quite a lot around education to help make beaches and the water in the area safer. I respect their work a lot.”

Stop 20: John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Florida Keys

JM: “After seeing the turtles in recovery, I’d like to see them in their natural habitat. The John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park was the first underwater park to be opened in the USA. The place is massive, so I don’t think I’ll be able to see it all, but swimming around the coral reefs would be a special experience.”

Stop 21: Seven Mile Bridge, Florida Keys

JM: “This is a road trip, and driving along the Seven Mile Bridge is a must. With the ocean to the left and right, I can’t wait to cruise along with my windows open and the sun shining.”

Stop 22: The Dali Museum, St. Petersburg

JM: “I don’t know too much about art, but I like to appreciate creativity. The Dali Museum in St. Pete is the perfect place to take that in, and it’s also just next to Dan Wheldon Way, which is part of the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg track in IndyCar.”

Stop 23: Jet Skiing, St. Petersburg

JM: “St. Pete has one of the best coastlines in all of Florida, and while we’re there, we have to make the most of it. I like to do water sports, and to end the road trip, we’re going to park up and do some jet skiing.”