One more place to enjoy near Daytona Beach in Florida
Daytona International Speedway stands as one of the most iconic motorsports venues in the world, a colossal 2.5-mile tri-oval track that has defined American racing for over six decades. Opened in 1959 by NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., the speedway hosts the legendary Daytona 500 each February, drawing more than 100,000 fans to its towering grandstands. The facility underwent a $400 million renovation completed in 2016, transforming it into the world’s first true motorsports stadium with modern amenities and enhanced fan experiences throughout the entire complex.
The speedway’s 31-degree high banks and sweeping turns create some of the most thrilling racing action in motorsports, with drivers reaching speeds exceeding 200 miles per hour on the superspeedway. Beyond the main tri-oval, the facility includes a 3.56-mile road course that hosts the Rolex 24 at Daytona, an endurance race that marks the start of the international racing calendar each January. The venue also features the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, interactive exhibits, and behind-the-scenes tours that bring visitors closer to the sport than ever before.
The story of Daytona International Speedway began on the hard-packed sands of Daytona Beach itself, where daredevils raced automobiles along the shoreline as early as 1903. Construction of the permanent speedway began in 1957 on 480 acres of swampland adjacent to Daytona Beach International Airport, and the first Daytona 500 was held on February 22, 1959, before a crowd of more than 41,000 spectators. The inaugural race ended in a photo finish so close that it took three days to officially declare Lee Petty the winner over Johnny Beauchamp, setting the tone for decades of dramatic racing at the legendary track.
Over the decades, the speedway has witnessed countless memorable moments, from Richard Petty’s seven Daytona 500 victories to Dale Earnhardt’s emotional win in 1998 after twenty years of trying. The Rolex 24 at Daytona, first run in 1962, brought international endurance racing to the speedway and established it as a global motorsports destination. The race attracts world-class drivers from Formula One, IndyCar, and sports car racing, who compete for 24 hours straight around the combined oval and road course.
The DAYTONA 500 Experience offers fans the chance to see the Harley J. Earl Trophy displayed in all its glory, recognizing the achievement of winning stock car racing’s most prestigious event. The exhibit hall showcases winning cars from previous Daytona 500s, driver memorabilia, and interactive displays that explain the science behind drafting and restrictor-plate racing. The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, relocated to the speedway in 2016, honors the greatest figures from across all disciplines of motorsports, featuring exhibits on legendary drivers, builders, and pioneers from stock car racing, open-wheel competition, drag racing, and motorcycle racing.
A guided All Access Tour of the speedway provides a tram ride around the full 2.5-mile tri-oval and stops at Victory Lane, the driver meeting area, and the high banks of Turn 4. The tour grants exclusive access to areas normally restricted on race days. The UNOH Fanzone, located within the infield, offers views of the garage area through large glass windows where fans can watch race teams prepare cars and participate in simulated pit stop challenges.
For the ultimate thrill, the Richard Petty Driving Experience lets visitors ride in a real NASCAR race car driven by a professional instructor at speeds approaching 170 miles per hour, with driving packages available for those who want to take the wheel themselves. Lake Lloyd, a 29-acre man-made lake situated inside the tri-oval, provides fishing and scenic views that contrast dramatically with the high-speed racing surrounding it.
The speedway’s Midway transforms into a vibrant outdoor festival on race weekends, with sponsor displays, driver autograph sessions, merchandise trailers, and interactive exhibits stretching across acres of fan zone space. The infield offers a unique camping and tailgating experience during major events, with thousands of RVs and tents filling the grassy area inside the track.
February brings Speedweeks and the legendary Daytona 500, the most anticipated event on the NASCAR calendar. January hosts the Rolex 24 at Daytona, a 24-hour endurance race that kicks off the international motorsports season with cooler winter temperatures. March features Bike Week activities with events at the speedway. Summer months offer the Coke Zero Sugar 400, a Saturday night race with fireworks displays capping Independence Day weekend. Year-round tours and the on-site SPEEDWAY store make the venue accessible even without major races on the schedule.