Daytona is the birthplace of NASCAR, and home to its most famous race and racetrack, and the largest ball of twine, the 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway. Each February, Daytona plays host to speedweeks, culminating in the running of the Daytona 500, the “Great American Race.” Daytona also hosts a night race on Fourth of July weekend, the Pepsi 400.


NASCAR requires that cars at Daytona and Talladega, the two superspeedways on the Nextel Cup circuit, use horsepower-sapping restrictor plates on their carburetors in an effort to contain speeds. The restrictor plates cause the cars to bunch together in packs and draft off each other, which leads to exciting racing and often results in “the big one,” a large crash that can take out dozens of cars.
Daytona International Speedway opened in 1959, but the history of auto racing at Daytona goes back much farther than that.

In 1936, the precursor to today's Daytona 500 was born on a course that went down 1.5 miles of highway, then turned and came the same distance back up the beach.

William H.G. France, a mechanic and racer who'd moved south from Washington, D.C., eventually took over the job of running the beach races on the second of two courses used for those events. In 1947, he presided over a meeting at Daytona's Streamline Hotel where NASCAR was born.

A decade later, France began working on his showplace.

"Big Bill" France was building it, he insisted on 31-degree banking in the corners. That's as steep as he could make the turns and still keep the machines putting down the asphalt from tipping over.

When drivers gathered for the first Daytona 500, it was an eye-popping experience. Drivers were more accustomed to half-mile dirt tracks and saw the 1.366-mile paved track at Darlington as vast. A trip around Daytona International Speedway was 2.5 miles -- nearly twice that.

Bob Welborn ran 140.121 mph to win the pole for the first Daytona 500, and Lee Petty won in a photo finish over Johnny Beauchamp.

It was at Daytona International Speedway where Junior Johnson discovered that if he tucked his car right behind another one, he could go faster than he could run by himself. And drafting became a part of the sport.

It was at Daytona where Cale Yarborough topped 200 mph on his first qualifying lap in 1983 and then, as he went even faster on a second lap, his car took off and flew, turning upside down before crashing.

Bill Elliott set the Daytona track record in 1987, running 210.364 mph, just before restrictor plates were introduced to the sport.

The Daytona 500, considered NASCAR's biggest event, has played host to some of NASCAR's greatest moments -- and maybe its greatest tragedy.

Many considered the 1976 Daytona 500 as the greatest race of all time.

Richard Petty won seven Daytona 500s on his way to becoming "The King," but lost in '76 to rival David Pearson after they wrecked coming to the finish line and Pearson puttered across the finish line bumping his car along with his ignition.

In 1998, in his 20th try, seven-time Cup series champion Dale Earnhardt finally won the Daytona 500. Sadly, three years later, Earnhardt died in a Turn 4 crash in the 2001 running. It was a moment that changed the sport forever.

In addition to the Daytona 500, the track hosts the Pepsi 400 each July along with the Rolex 24, Americaýs premier endurance race, and annual motorcycle races that are the centerpiece of Daytona's Bike Week.

Daytona International Speedway renovated its infield before the 2005 Daytona 500 to add a "Fan Zone" that allows fans to buy tickets giving them one of the best up-close views of a NASCAR garage and other special amenities.

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Where to stay:

Treasure Island Resort, 2025 S Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach, FL (386) 255-8371

Where to eat:
Cheers in Deltona...worth the 15 minute drive!! Great Drink specials Friday nights!!!!

Wing House, W Internatl Speedway Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL (386) 947-9838

Sidetrips:

Daytona Cubs Minor League Baseball 105 E Orange Ave (386)257-3172

Track Facts:

Banking/Turns: 31
Distance: 2.5 miles
Shape: Tri-oval

Photos:

Race Experiences...

• I've been to a lot of races in Daytona, both before and after the infield renovation. I am happy to tell you, this track is simply awesome. If you know how to handle it, you can have a great time. The FanZone is worth the upgrade in your ticket. On Cup race days, it's going to be packed, so it's better if you can settle for a Cup or Truck day. It makes it easy to meet your favorite drivers, and just watching the drivers and teams from the top of the garage area is great in itself. If you can, try and pay the extra money for a frontstretch ticket. it's hard to see from the backstretch, and if you have a front stretch ticket, you won't be dissapointed. You can see more of the track than you would think,. trust me I've sat in almost every area there. I'm partial to Segrave myself. A great thing for people making a trip out of it, is Daytona USA. It's pretty simple, but every race fan should visit it at least once. They have the IMAX 3-D movie playing all the time, and simulators galore. It's just a cool experience for the whole family. Be warned race fans, this track is HUGE. deciding to take a walk to the other side of the track means you will need to walk back. Luckily, there are track workers with golf carts that will gladly drive you to another part of the grandstand you are in. I'm young, and in shape, and last years Pepsi 400 about killed me from walking around out there. Here is one last bit of advice for novice track attenders. Parking, its a hassel, theres just no way around it. You either pay a lot of money or go through a lot of walking and trouble to get back to your vehicle. There is a free parking lot.. a park and ride. If you really want to save the money, go ahead, but be warned that getting back to the lot is extremely tiresome. The wait for the bus is insane, crowded and long. Pretty much everyone ends up frustrated, including the workers, so if you can afford it, pay the money to park at a shopping center nearby. That's all the tips I have for you right now, I'm going back in 2 days, maybe I'll remember more to let you in on.

Park in Lot 10...Take the bus there and walk back to your car after the race!! It only takes less then an hour for a drunk fat man to walk it!! It's quicker then you think.....and really quick compared to waiting in the lines for the bus to drop you off at th field and walk back to your car and then...ha ha ha.....theat's not even talking about all the people that are already in the cars and out in the TRAFFIC PARKING LOT!!....you'll see...that's not a typo!!!!

Past Winners:

1972

• AJ Foyt-Daytona 500
• David Pearson-FireCracker 400

1973

• Richard Petty-Daytona 500
• David Pearson-FireCracker 400

1974

• Richard Petty-Daytona 500
• David Pearson-FireCracker 400

1975

• Benny Parsons-Daytona 500
• Richard Petty-FireCracker 400

1976

• David Pearson-Daytona 500
• Cale Yarborough-FireCracker 400

1977

• Cale Yarborough-Daytona 500
• Richard Petty-FireCracker 400

1978

• Bobby Allison-Daytona 500
• David Pearson-FireCracker 400

1979

• Richard Petty-Daytona 500
• Neil Bonnett-FireCracker 400

1980

• Buddy Baker-Daytona 500
• Bobby Allison-FireCracker 400

1981

• Richard Petty-Daytona 500
• Cale Yarborough-FireCracker 400

1982

• Bobby Allison swiped both races that year

1983

• Cale Yarborough-Daytona 500
• Buddy Baker-FireCracker 400

1984

• Cale Yarborough-Daytona 500
• Richard Petty-Pepsi FireCracker 400

1985

• Bill Elliott-Daytona 500
• Greg Sacks-Pepsi FrieCracker 400

1986

• Geoffrey Bodine-Daytona 500
• Tim Richmond-Pepsi FireCracker 400

1987

• Bill Elliott-Daytona 500
• Bobby Allison-Pepsi FireCracker 400

1988

• Bobby Allison-Daytona 500
• Bill Elliott-Pepsi FireCracker 400

1989

• Darrell Waltrip-Daytona 500
• Davey Allison-Pepsi 400

1990

• Derrick Cope-Daytona 500
• Dale Earnhardt-Pepsi 400

1991

• Erine Irvan-Daytona 500
• Bill Elliott-Pepsi 400

1992

• Davey Allison-Daytona 500
• Erine Irvan-Pepsi 400

1993

• Dale Jarrett-Daytona 500
• Dale Earnhardt-Pepsi 400

1994

• Sterling Marlin-Daytona 500
• Jimmy Spencer-Pepsi 400

1995

• Sterling Marlin-Daytona 500
• Jeff Gordon-Pepsi 400

1996

• Dale Jarrett-Daytona 500
• Sterling Marlin-Pepsi 400

1997

• Jeff Gordon-Daytona 500
• John Andretti-Pepsi 400

1998

• Dale Eanrhardt-Daytona 500
• Jeff Gordon-Pepsi 400

1999

• Jeff Gordon-Daytona 500
• Dale Jarrett-Pepsi 400

2000

• Dale Jarrett-Daytona 500
• Jeff Burton-Pepsi 400

2001

• Micheal Waltrip-Daytona 500
• Dale Earnhardt Jr-Pepsi 400

2002

• Ward Burton-Daytona 500
• Micheal Waltrip-Pepsi 400

2003

• Micheal Waltrip-Daytona 500
• Greg Biffle-Pepsi 400

2004

• Dale Earnhardt Jr-Daytona 500
• Jeff Gordon-Pepsi 400

2005

• Jeff Gordon-Daytona 500
• Tony Stewart-Pepsi 400

2006

• Jimmie Johnson-Daytona 500

• Tony Stewart-Pepsi 400

2007

• Kevin harvick-Daytona 500