Daytona

Daytona International Speedway is the home of "The Great American Race" - the Daytona 500. Though the season-opening NASCAR NEXTEL Cup event garners most of the attention - as well as the largest audience in motorsports - the enormous 480-acre motorsports complex boasts the most diverse schedule of racing on the globe, thus earning it the title of "World Center of Racing." In addition to eight major weekends of racing activity, rarely a week goes by that the Speedway grounds are not used for events that include civic and social gatherings, car shows, photo "shoots," production vehicle testing and police motorcycle training.

"The Speedway is a venue that is known throughout the world as a place where everyone in motorsports wants to claim a victory," said Speedway President Robin Braig. "However, we're also committed to being versatile enough and responsive enough to provide a site where community activities can successfully be held."

BUSTLING WITH ACTIVITY YEAR-ROUND

After a jam-packed month of sports car and stock car testing in January, no less than 15 days of on-track activity mark the track's annual Speedweeks events. Its diversity includes sports car drivers from more than 20 foreign countries and the United States in the Grand American Road Racing Association's Rolex 24 At Daytona. In recent years, the Rolex 24 has garnered more attention from stock car drivers like Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, Jimmie Johnson, Greg Biffle, Kyle Petty and Tony Stewart who have tested their skills against the sport's best. The Rolex 24 kicks off three weeks of NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, Busch Series, Craftsman Truck Series and ARCA RE/MAX Series racing that culminates with the Daytona 500.

Coinciding with the Daytona Beach community's "Bike Week," every March Daytona International Speedway hosts two weeks of intense motorcycle racing with Daytona 200 Week By Honda. Racers and fans from around the world converge on the Speedway for the best in road racing, supercross and dirt track competition.
Nine days of two-wheeled action concludes with the American Motorcyclist Association-sanctioned Daytona Supercross By Honda and the Daytona 200 By Honda.

During Independence Day Weekend in July, the Rolex Sports Car Series, the NASCAR Busch Series and the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series join forces under the lights.

In October, American Sportbike Racing Association, the SunTrust MOTO-ST Series and the Championship Cup Series return to Daytona International Speedway to cap off their seasons in Fall Cycle Scene. Along with fast action in motorcycle racing on the track, cycle enthusiasts can enjoy all that the major motorcycle manufacturers have to offer in the vendor, display and demo rides at Daytona for Biketoberfest.

Also during the year, Daytona hosts the World Karting Association. See go-kart racers of all ages tackle Daytona and battle for victories.

HOME OF THE OFFICIAL ATTRACTION OF NASCAR

The Daytona 500 Experience, formerly known as DAYTONA USA opened July 5, 1996, has transformed Daytona International Speedway into a destination for tourists looking to acquaint themselves with the history of motorsports activity in the Daytona Beach area.

The Daytona 500 Experience, "The Ultimate Motorsports Attraction," is a highly interactive multi-million-dollar entertainment facility designed to broaden the entertainment and educational experience for visitors of all ages -- whether or not they are racing fans.

Guests of The Daytona 500 Experience don't want to miss a chance to experience ACCELERATION ALLEY to compete against each other in 80-percent scale stock cars. DAYTONA DREAM LAPS is a motion simulator ride that places guests behind the wheel in a virtual Daytona 500 race and Toyota Tundra's Thunder Road motion simulator takes guests on a fantasy lap with a 360-degree loop. Inside the Pepsi IMAX Theatre, "NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience" and "Daytona 500: The Movie" give fans a behind-the-scenes look at the Daytona 500 and NASCAR. The 16-Second Pit Stop Challenge allows visitors the opportunity to be a pit-crew member in a timed pit stop.

In addition, guests can hop aboard a Speedway Tour, visit the Daytona Speedplay game center, Pit Shop souvenir and gift shop, 4th Turn Grill snack bar, and the Daytona Beach Area Welcome Center.

The Daytona 500 Experience is open daily except for Christmas Day, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. with extended hours during racing events. Track tours are available daily, weather and track conditions permitting. Learn more about The Daytona 500 Experience online at DAYTONA500EXPERIENCE.com.

Daytona International Speedway Specifications

Superspeedway
2.5-mile trioval
40 feet wide with 12- to 30-foot apron

Turns
Banking: 31 degrees
Length: 3,000 feet
Radius: 1,000 feet

Tri-oval
Banking: 18 degrees (at start/finish line)

Frontstretch
Chute length: 1,900 feet (from turn to middle of trioval)
Total length: 3,800 feet
Banking: Minimal for drainage only

Backstretch
Length: 3,000 feet
Banking: Minimal for drainage only

Pit Road
Length: 1,600 feet
Width: 50 feet

Garage Area
NEXTEL CUP Garages (spaces for 74 cars)
Busch Series Garages (spaces for 74 cars)
Alternate garage pad (spaces for 54 18-wheelers)

Road Course
3.56 miles and 2.95 miles (incorporates tri-oval superspeedway and non-banked infield section) Infield course and chicane range from 30 to 50 feet wide

Speedway Facility
Total acreage: 480 acres
Infield: 180 acres (includes 29-acre Lake Lloyd)