It is damn sure worth the trip! Its a 2 week frat party down there!
They start partying for the shootout a week before Daytona. If you are a Nascar fan, you have to go at least 1 time.
It's not too late to go, unless you have to fly there (cost of plane ticket last minute). But my advice is to go down Thursday night and stay thru Sunday. Take off Friday and make a nice long weekend out of it.
You can always scalp a ticket there if you cant find one at a decent price before hand.
I almost went this year, but couldnt get off work. Ill be there next year though!
Let me know if you go brotha!