Daytona Beach has been in the forefront of racing history for over 100 years — from its early beginning in 1903, when a friendly wager between two gentlemen with their horseless carriages gave birth to racing. Since then, "The Birthplace of Speed," had seen countless speed trials on its hard-packed sand beach and roads through town before a 2.5-mile tri-oval-shaped track was built; and, as they say, the rest is history — in 1959, Daytona International Speedway was born.
The 2.5-mile tri-oval course was the creation of William (Bill) Henry Getty France, a local mechanic. He entered the inaugural race 3.2-mile course in 1936 that covered the sands of Daytona Beach and paved streets of town. He came in fifth. Ten years later, France put aside his driving gear to promote both stock car and motorcycle races on the beach. The next year, he founded NASCAR, the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. As Daytona Beach and surrounding areas began expand to accommodate a growing population, the days of racing on the beach were numbered and Bill France proposed a permanent speedway facility. Construction began in November of 1957.
The new "World Center of Racing," hosted the first Daytona 500, February 22, 1959. The "500-Mile International Sweepstakes," posted awards totaling $67,760 and had a field of 59 cars that took the starting green flag. A crowd of over 41,000 was on hand to see the historic finish — a too-close-to-call three-way between Johnny Beauchamp, Lee Petty and Joe Weatherly. Although Beauchamp claimed victory and savored the celebration in victory lane, the results were posted as "unofficial." Later it was determined by a newsreel clip that Petty was the winner... by only about two feet.
Daytona International Speedway hosts a wide variety of motorsport events — at least eight racing weekends annually that include stock cars, motorcycles, sports cars and go-karts. Popular "Speedweeks" include:
- Daytona 500 Weekend
Known as the "Great American Race," is the season opener for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, with the finest in racing at the wheel. - Coke Zero 400 Weekend Powered by Coca-Cola
The halfway point in the NASCAR Spring Cup Series is a 160-lap under-the-lights fight to the finish. - Daytona 200 Week by Honda
World-class Supercross and Superbike motorcycle competition highlighted by the Daytona 200 and Daytona Supercross under the lights. - Daytona KartWeek
Held over the Christmas holidays, featuring kart racing from the World Karting Association.
While the official NASCAR Daytona 500 Experience attraction adjacent to the Speedway has closed, Daytona International Speedway has expanded its track tours to include a one-hour speedway tour that includes never-before-seen areas. Also, the Richard Petty Driving Experience will again be available after the track repaving project has been completed.
Information and Directions
Today, Daytona International Speedway is operated by International Speedway Corporation (ISC) a publicly traded company, founded by William H.G. and Anne France in 1953. A leading promoter of motorsports activities, ISC currently promotes more than 100 racing events annually and owns and/or operates 13 of the national's major motorsports entertainment facilities.
Daytona International Speedway is located approximately one mile east of I-95 on West International Speedway Boulevard (U.S. Hwy 92) in Daytona Beach, Florida.
