Via LIFE Magazine:

For years, from its inception in 1937 until the early ’60s, the prestigious Daytona 200 motorcycle race wasn’t merely run at Daytona Beach. Along with other high-speed, high-risk clashes, the 200 was run on Daytona Beach.

In 1948, LIFE magazine covered the races, both amateur and pro, at Daytona (the Road Course opened in 1936) and reported, in its April 19 issue, that “for four days last month the resort city of Daytona Beach could hardly have been noisier — or in more danger — if it had been under bombardment.”

Now, with unpublished and rarely seen photos by Joseph Scherschel (brother of another LIFE photographer, Frank Scherschel), LIFE.com opens a window on a long, loud weekend 70 years ago: a weekend that thrilled racing fans; slightly scandalized one very popular weekly magazine’s editors; and — as if proof was needed that the young sport was still in the hands of rebels and scofflaws — saw two people killed and 30 more injured in the midst of all the high-octane fun.

Be sure to check out the rest over @ LIFE.

Now, on to the links…

ChrisWy: Obama has the classiest friends.
theCL: Why the Federal Reserve Demands Control of Money Part 1… And Part 2
SJ: While we were distracted did we lose free speech? (H.R. 347)
RR: George Clooney Arrested at Sudanese Embassy in Planned Protest of Omar Al-Bashir (VIDEO)
TBA: A Look at the Latest Production of the Obama Propoganda Machine

The Eye: Government Power Grab Through Spending
CH2.0: 10 Consequences of an Obama Win in 2012.… (Each consequence is a frightening proposition on its own)
FCBZ: “American Idol” Showcases POTUS, Again — Same Week Show’s Producers Tell Contestant Colton Dixon to “Tone Down” Christian References (video)
Bunker: ‘Inflate your tires is as good as drilling’ (video)
WWTFT: Celebrating James Madison’s Birthday… (Here is a Madison Motivator I created a while ago).

Spellchek: Obama signs National Defense Resources Preparedness Executive Order permitting peacetime martial law, a draft, and the procurement of private property
Just a Conservative Girl: Dharun Ravi Found Guilty – Facing 10 Years in Prison
PR: The Coming Triple Pronged Attack On the Nation
LaS: Yes, I’m Obsessed By the Kinks… (And, no, it is not a character flaw).
CP: Arriving at McDonalds Yesterday,,,

Wade: A Bright Idea
MTTM: School choice works
Gator: Obama vs Texas! Updated!
CoF: “SEE NO EVIL, HEAR NO EVIL, SPEAK NO EVIL – THE REPUBLICAN CLUB”
TCotS: Don’t Shoot Me, I’m Only The Politics Playah