Of all the speedways, raceways, dirt tracks, ovals road courses, football stadiums that NASCAR use, one stands up above all the others. The Daytona International Speedway in Florida has been welcoming fans for over 60 years and a its history is well know, however there are plenty of little know facts. We explore some of those facts here.
Let’s start with the basics and answer where exactly the speed way is!
We are writing a series of track facts articles and will add to the below table as we complete them. Feel free to check out your favourite tracks by clicking the link.
Where is Daytona International Speedway
The speedway is in Daytona Beach. Florida, on the originally named West International Speedway Boulevard.
What Type of Track is Daytona?
Daytona is most famous for its holding of the Daytona 500 NASCAR race each February. This track is a Tri-oval racetrack with steep banking, fast corners and a long straightaway. However there are more tracks on the site that just the tri-oval. (see below)
What Other Tracks Does Daytona International Speedway Have?
Daytona has four other configurations aside from the famous tri-oval layout.
Table 1: Daytona International Speedway Track Configurations and Lengths
| Daytona Track Configuration | Track length |
| Daytona NASCAR tri-Oval | 2.5 miles (4.0 Kilometers) |
| Sports Car course | 3.56 Miles (5.7 Kilometres) |
| NASCAR road course | 3.57 Miles (5.7 Kilometers) |
| Motorcycle course | 2.95 Miles 4.7 Kilometres) |
| Dirt Track | 0.25 Miles (0.4 Kilometers) |
| Short Oval | 0.4 miles (0.64 Kilometers) |
Does Daytona Have Lighting for Night Racing?
Yes, though that hasn’t always been the case. Lighting was fitted at Daytona in 1998 and the Coke Zero Race was run in July of that year. The lights can cost about 250 USD an hour when running, considering how many lights this actually seems pretty cheap.
How Many Spectators can Attend Daytona International Speedway
The maximum numbers of spectators Daytona can accommodate depends on the eent and the layout. However wikipedia 
gives the number at between 101,500 to 167,785 spectators. With the grandstand being able to seat 123,500 of those.
When Was Daytona International Speedway Constructed?
The track was completed in 1959 after construction was started in 1957. It was constructed by William France, Sr. The lake in the middle, called Lake Lloyd, is also used for racing speedboat and boat shows, and was formed by excavation of the earth required to build the high banking of the racetrack.
Due to its over 1 mile size they even had to take into account the Earth’s curvature into account when they build it, (sorry flat earthers!!)
How Much Did it Cost to Construct Daytona International Speedway?
Back in 1959 once completed the Speedway had cost 3 million US Dollars. ( which in todays money would be over 28 million dollars (however we are not 100% on these figures as the refurbishment is approximately 400 million)
What Races are held at Daytona International Speedway?
Although Daytona is know as the American race, there are plenty of races held at Daytona through out the year, and not just NASCAR. We have listed the more prominent ones below.
- Daytona 500
- Coke Zero sugar 400
- Beef: Its whats for dinner 300 (xfinity)
- Wawa 250 (xfinity)
- Nextera Energy 250 (truck series)
- Rolex 24 (sports car)
- Daytona 200 (SportBike and Motoamerica)
- Daytona Supercross (supercross)
When is the Daytona 500 Race?
The Daytona 500 NASCAR Cup Series race has been held every year on the second or third Sunday of February ( or very occasionally the fourth in the distant past) It kicks start the NASCAR cup series and is the premier race of the season. In 2022 it will be on the 20th of February.
How Many Race Cars Can be Held in the Garages?
There are 7 garages at Daytona and they have 82 stalls for teams, which means the whole set up can hold 164 separate race cars. the car park for spectators is somewhat larger unsurprisingly! and can hold thousands of cars.
How Long is Daytona International Speedway?
we have highlight the different track lengths above, but the famous tri-oval is 2.5 miles long. The Daytona 500 is 200 laps of this circuit and takes approximately 3.5 hours of racing.
What is the Banking on Daytona International Speedway?
The banking is as follows on the Daytona Tri-Oval. It’s one of the steepest on the series.
| Track Area | Banking in degrees |
| Straights | 2 degrees |
| turns | 31 degrees |
| Tri-Oval | 18 degrees |
What is the Lap Record at Daytona International Speedway?
These lap records, there are more than one, tend to be held by cars you may not see very often as prototypes LMA cars ofen hold them. However we have listed the current speed records for the different configurations below for reference.
For reference Bill Elliott ( from our back of a post it calculations) did the daytona Tri Oval in around 43 seconds
| Track Configuration | Car / Bike | Timed lap |
| NASCAR Tri-Oval | Ford EcoBoost Daytona Prototype | 40.364 seconds |
| Sports car course | Cadillac DPi-V R | 1.33.724 |
| NASCAR Road Course | Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 | 1.55.677 |
| Motorcycle Course | Suzuki GSX-R1000 | 1.37.546 |
How Long is the Pit Road at Daytona International Speedway?
The pit road at daytona is 1600 feet long, 0.3 miles, (488 meters) and 50ft (15 meters) which longer than a large cruise ship, and 20% longer than the entire length of the Los Angeles Coliseum which took over the Clash race in 2022.
How Many Daytona NASCAR Winners have There Been
While Richard Petty has won the Daytona 500 7 times and Carl Yarborough has won 4 times. Bobby Allison, Dale Jarret, Jeff Gordon and Denny Hamlin all have 3 victories under their belts.
Finally Bill Elliott, Sterling Martin, Michael Waltrip, Matt Kenseth, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr have 2. THere have been 26 other winning Drivers at the American race, Daytona 500.
This makes 38 Drivers who have been in Victory Lane at the Daytona 500.
Why Doesn’t IndyCar Race at Daytona International Speedway
Although IndyCar has tested in 2006 and 2007 at Daytona for the first time since 1984, the track is deemed to dangerous for open wheel race cars to competitively race. They had run a race in 1959 but the sheer speeds and a fatal last lap crash of George Amrick and a testing fatality of Marshall Teague meant it was the first and last time IndyCar raced on the track.
There are no known plans to return, though the road course would surely be an option at some point in the future.
Daytona International Speedway is the most Dangerous NASCAR Track.
Despite IndyCar withdrawing due to safety and speed concerns, Daytona has the unfortunate mantle of being a dangerous track to drive. There have been 40 fatalities since Marshall Teague lost his life in a speed record attempt in 1959. There were 2 other fatalities that year alone.
These have been across the whole spectrum of racing, from sports cars, NASCAR, Bikes and boats. This is the track that claimed Dale Earnhardt in 2001 on a last lap crash.
What Video Games have featured the Daytona International Speedway
There have been numerous Video Games that have included the Iconic Daytona International Speedway. We have listed these below in case you want to practice in the safety of your own home!
- Gran Turismo 7 (I had the original of this just to show my age!)
- NASCAR 21 Ignition
- Project cars 3
- NASCAR Heat 5 (guilty pleasure not matter how bad i am)
- NAScAR Heat 4
- FORZA Motorsport 7
- NASCAR Heat 3 and 2
- NASCAR heat Evolution
- Forza Motorsport 6
- Gran Turismo 6
We will stop there as just like the Next Gen car we are actually getting further back in time than the Gen 5 if we go any further back!
There are also full simulation like the Iracing official software. We have an article on Sim Racing here.
Has it ever Rained During a NASCAR Race at the Daytona International Speedway?
Florida is hot and tropical so rain, albeit in usually short sustained squalls is fairly common. the Daytona 500 has no magic spell to dissipate the precipitate and Daytona has had rain delays the race in both 2020 and 2021.
In 2014 there were storms and tornado warnings!
In 2012 there were reschedulings,
Sorry to say that rain is currently forecast for the 2022 race as well.
Where is the Statue of Dale Earnhardt at the Daytona International Speedway
The statue of the legendary Dale Earnhardt Sr is outside of the entrance to the Daytona international speedway. as you look it is to the right of the Daytona 500 Experience attraction.
What is the Daytona Rolex 500 or 24 hours of Daytona
This is a 24 hour road race that although has five classes is most famous for sports car racing, prototype LMP and GT classes. The event was first won by Ken Miles and Lloyd Ruby in a Ford Mk 2.
Unlike NASCAR there are many manufacturers than take part in these races.
Who has the Most Wins at the Daytona International Speedway
Richard Petty has won seven times at the Daytona 500. The closest to that is Carl Yarborough with 4 wins.
What Other Events are Held at the Daytona International Speedway
Although World famous for the Daytona 500 NASCAR cup series race, Daytona has a year round schedule of events. From truck racing and xfinity races to sports car and superbike races.
It also has boat shows, track days and driver experiences if you fancy taking a lap around those banks!
Can you Tour the Daytona International Speedway
There are tours running all through the year, they have basic options and VIP options for 20-30 USD for adults and children up to 55 dollars for the VIP Daytona Tours.
Can you Camp or bring an RV to the Daytona International Speedway
It is possible to camp inside the track at Daytona, they also have a wide range of RV parking spots as well. The prices fluctuate wildly depending on the event, demand and location but you can get an idea here on their website.
Does the Daytona International Speedway have Wifi
There is free wifi to log in all around the stadium, however remember how big this place is, and how many people are there if you find your reception slow or spotty!
What Food and Drink Concessions Do They Have at the Daytona International Speedway?
THe food on offer will vary on the Event, however the place is large enough, and the concessions plenty enough to satisfy the vast majority of visitors. Popular food can include. the Daytona Speedway Dog, Papa John’s Pizza, Boardwalk French Fries and the Juicys Outlaw Grill.
Of course prices are higher than outside the stadium, but that’s the same everywhere. There are free water fountains everywhere if you need as well.
Do you need Seat Cushions At Daytona International Speedway?
Most visitors have said that after the renovations the seats are actually pretty comfortable, considering there are a hundred thousand of them!! However if you feel the need for some extra comfort and you are no tin the executive boxes then you can check out the article below for some stadium seat ideas.
Final Lap
Hopefully we have answered some of your questions about this most iconic of Speedways, both in terms of racing and spectating. It is one of the most incredible places to visit, and if you can take in a race while you are there it will be an experience that will last a lifetime.
References
https://blog.itrip.net/13-fast-facts-about-daytona-international-speedway/
http://www.espn.com/rpm/wc/2002/0125/1317764.html
https://www.giantbomb.com/daytona-international-speedway/3035-22/games/
