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Daytona International Speedway

Coordinates:29°11′8″N81°4′10″W/ 29.18556°N 81.06944°W/29.18556; -81.06944
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Daytona International Speedway


Location1801 West International Speedway Blvd,
Daytona Beach, Florida32114
Time zoneUTC−5(UTC−4DST)
Coordinates29°11′8″N81°4′10″W/ 29.18556°N 81.06944°W/29.18556; -81.06944
Capacity101,500–167,785 (w/ infield, depending on configuration) 123,500 (grandstand capacity)
OwnerNASCAR(2019–present)
International Speedway Corporation(1959–2019)[1]
OperatorNASCAR(1959–present)
Broke groundNovember 25, 1957;66 years ago(1957-11-25)
OpenedFebruary 22, 1959;65 years ago(1959-02-22)
Construction costUS$3 million
ArchitectCharles Moneypenny
William France, Sr.
Major eventsCurrent:

Former:

Websitehttp:// daytonainternationalspeedway /
NASCARTri-Oval(1959–present)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length2.500 miles (4.023 km)
Turns4
BankingTurns: 31°
Tri-oval: 18°
Back straightaway: 3°
Race lap record0:43.682 (United StatesErik Jones,Toyota Camry,2020,NASCAR Cup)
Sports Car Course (1985–present)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length3.560 miles (5.729 km)
Turns12
BankingOval turns: 31°
Tri-Oval: 18°
Back straightaway: 2°
Infield: 0° (flat)
Race lap record1:33.724 (SpainAlex Palou,Cadillac DPi-V.R,2022,DPi)
NASCAR Road Course (2020–2021)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length3.570 miles (5.745 km)
Turns14
BankingOval turns: 31°
Tri-Oval: 18°
Back straightaway: 2°
Infield: 0° (flat)
Race lap record1:55.677 (United StatesChase Elliott,Chevrolet Camaro ZL1,2021,NASCAR Cup)
Motorcycle Course (2005–present)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length2.950 miles (4.748 km)
Turns12
BankingOval turns: 31°
Tri-Oval: 18°
Back straightaway: 2°
Infield: 0° (flat)
Sports Car Course (1984)[2]
SurfaceAsphalt
Length3.869 miles (6.228 km)
Race lap record1:45.209 (United KingdomDerek Bell,Porsche 962,1984,IMSA GTP)
Sports Car Course (1975–1983)[2]
SurfaceAsphalt
Length3.840 miles (6.180 km)
Race lap record1:45.360 (United StatesDanny Ongais,Lola T600,1982,IMSA GTP)
Sports Car Course (1959–1974)[2]
SurfaceAsphalt
Length3.810 miles (6.132 km)
Turns7
Race lap record1:41.250 (United StatesMark Donohue,Ferrari 512 M,1971,Group 5)
Dirt Flat Track
SurfaceDirt
Length0.25 miles (0.40 km)
Turns4
BankingFlat
Short Oval
SurfaceAsphalt
Length0.40 miles (0.64 km)
Turns4
BankingFlat
Race lap record0:20.129 (Nate Monteith, Monteith Racing, 2013,Whelen All-American Series)

Daytona International Speedwayis arace trackinDaytona Beach,Florida,United States,about 50 mi (80 km) north ofOrlando.Since opening in 1959, it has been the home of theDaytona 500,the most prestigious race inNASCARas well as its season opening event. The venue also hosts the24 Hours of Daytona,one of threeIMSAraces that make up theTriple Crown of endurance racing.In addition to NASCAR and IMSA, the track also hosts races ofARCA,AMA Superbike,SCCA,andAMA Supercross.The track features multiple layouts including the primary 2.500 mi (4.023 km) high-speedtri-oval,a 3.560 mi (5.729 km)sports carcourse, a 2.950 mi (4.748 km) motorcycle course, and a 1,320 ft (400 m) karting and motorcycle flat-track. The track's 180-acre (73 ha) infield includes the 29-acre (12 ha) Lake Lloyd, which has hostedpowerboatracing.

The track was built in 1959 by NASCAR founderWilliam "Bill" France Sr.to host racing that was held at the formerDaytona Beach Road Course.His banked design permitted higher speeds and gave fans a better view of the cars. The speedway is operated by NASCAR pursuant to a lease with the City of Daytona Beach on the property that runs until 2054.[1][3]The venue describes itself as the "World Center of Racing".[4]

Lights were installed around the track in 1998, and today it is the third-largest single-lit outdoor sports facility. The speedway has been renovated four times, with the infield renovated in 2004 and the track repaved in 1978 and 2010. On January 22, 2013, the fourth speedway renovation was unveiled. On July 5, 2013, ground was broken on "Daytona Rising" to remove backstretch seating and completely redevelop the frontstretch seating. The renovation was by design-builder Barton Malow Company in partnership with Rossetti Architects. The project was completed in January 2016, and costUS $400 million. It emphasized improved fan experience with five expanded and redesigned fan entrances (called "injectors" ), as well as wider and more comfortable seats, and more restrooms and concession stands. After the renovations were complete, the track's grandstands had 101,500[5]permanent seats with the ability to increase permanent seating to 125,000.[6][7]The project was finished before the start ofSpeedweeksin 2016.

Track history

[edit]

Construction

[edit]

NASCARfounderWilliam France Sr.began planning for the track in 1953 as a way to promote the series, which at the time was racing on theDaytona Beach Road Course.[8]France met with Daytona Beach engineer Charles Moneypenny to discuss his plans for the speedway. He wanted the track to have the highest banking possible to allow the cars to reach high speeds and to give fans a better view of the cars on track. Moneypenny traveled toDetroit,Michigan to visit theFord Proving Groundswhich had a high-speed test track with banked corners. Ford shared their engineering design of the track with Moneypenny, providing the needed details of how to transition the pavement from a flat straightaway to a banked corner. France took the plans to the Daytona Beach city commission, who supported his idea and formed the Daytona Beach Speedway Authority.[9]

The tri-oval after the 2010–2011 repaving

The city commission agreed to lease the 447-acre (180.9ha) parcel of land adjacent toDaytona Beach Municipal Airportto France's corporation for $10,000 a year over a 50-year period. France then began working on building funding for the project and found support from aTexasoil millionaire,Clint Murchison, Sr.Murchison lent France $600,000 along with the construction equipment necessary to build the track. France also secured funding fromPepsi-Cola,General MotorsdesignerHarley Earl,a second mortgage on his home and selling 300,000 stock shares to local residents. Ground broke on construction of the 2.500 mi (4.023 km) speedway on November 25, 1957.[9]

To build the high banking, crews had to excavate over a million square yards of soil from the track's infield.[10]Because of the high water table in the area, the excavated hole filled with water to form what is now known asLake Lloyd,named after Joseph "Sax" Lloyd, one of the original six members of the Daytona Beach Speedway Authority. (The lake was stocked with 65,000 fish, and France arrangedspeedboatraces on it.)[11]22 tons oflime mortarhad to be brought in to form the track'sbinding base,over whichasphaltwas laid. Because of the extreme degree of banking, Moneypenny had to come up with a way to pave the incline. He connected the paving equipment to bulldozers anchored at the top of the banking. This allowed the paving equipment to pave the banking without slipping or rolling down the incline. Moneypenny subsequently patented his construction method[citation needed]and later designedTalladega SuperspeedwayandMichigan International Speedway.By December 1958, France had begun to run out of money and relied on race ticket sales to complete construction.[9]He also received a substantial sum of money from thePepsicompany after attempting to obtain the money to finish construction from theCoca-ColaCompany and being turned down. For years from when the track opened to France's death, France never allowed Coca-Cola to be sold as a concession at any of the tracks he owned as a result.

The tri-oval during the2015 Daytona 500with nearly completed grandstand in the background.

The first practice run on the new track was on February 6, 1959. On February 22, 1959, 42,000 people attended the inaugural Daytona 500.[9]Its finish was as startling as the track itself:Lee PettybeatJohnny Beauchampin aphoto finishthat took three days to adjudicate.[12]When the track opened it was the fastest race track to host a stock car race, untilTalladega Superspeedwayopened 10 years later.[citation needed]On April 4, it hosted a 100 mi (160.9 km)Champ Carevent which sawJim RathmannbeatDick RathmannandRodger Ward,at an average speed of 170.26 mph (274.01 km/h), at the time the fastest motor race ever.[12]It was the occasion of Daytona's first fatality:George Amick,attempting to overtake for third late in the race, hit a wall and was killed.[12]April 5, a scheduled 1,000 km (620 mi)sports carevent (shortened to 560 mi (900 km) by darkness) was won byRoberto MieresandFritz d'Orey,who shared aPorsche RSK,which proved more durable than more potent competition.[12]

The tri-oval in 2017 after Daytona Rising was completed.

Lights were installed around the track in 1998 to run NASCAR's July race, theCoke Zero 400at night. The track was the world's largest single lighted outdoor sports facility until being surpassed byLosail International Circuitin 2008.[citation needed]Musco Lightinginstalled the lighting system, which took into account glare and visibility for aircraft arriving and departing nearby Daytona Beach International Airport, and costs about $240 per hour when in operation.[13]

Layouts

[edit]

Tri-oval

[edit]
Map of the speedway

Daytona'stri-ovalis 2.500 mi (4.023 km) long with 31° banking in the turns and 18° banking at the start/finish line. The front straight is 3,800 ft (1,200 m) long and the back straight (or "superstretch" ) is 3,000 ft (910 m) long. The tri-oval shape was revolutionary at the time as it greatly improved sight lines for fans. It is one of the three tracks on the NASCAR Cup Series circuit that are considered "drafting tracks", the others beingTalladega SuperspeedwayandAtlanta Motor Speedway.[14]

On July 15, 2010, repaving of the track began. This came almost a year earlier than planned due to the track coming apart during the2010 Daytona 500.The project used an estimated 50,000 tons[vague]of asphalt to repave 1.4 million square feet (130,000 m2) including the racing surface, apron, skid pads and pit road. Because of good weather, the project was completed ahead of schedule.[15]

On October 9, 2013,Colin Braundrove aDaytona Prototypecar prepared byMichael Shank Racingto set a single-lap record on the tri-oval configuration of 222.971 mph (358.837 km/h).[16]During NASCAR events, it takes less than a minute for the cars to complete a lap around the 2.500 mi (4.023 km) tri-oval course.

Road courses

[edit]
Map of the 24-hour road course configuration
Start of the 2011 Rolex 24 at Daytona

While the more famous24 Hours of Le Mansis held near thesummer solstice,Daytona's endurance race is held in winter (meaning more of the race is run at night). The track's lighting system is limited to 20% of its maximum output for the race to keep cars dependent on their headlights.[17]

The 3.810 mi (6.132 km) road course was built in 1959 and first hosted a three-hour sports car race called the Daytona Continental in 1962.[18]The race length became 2,000 km (1,200 mi) in 1964,[12]and in 1966 was extended to a 24-hour endurance race known as theRolex 24 at Daytona.It was shortened again to six hours in 1972 and the 1974 rendition of the race was cancelled entirely.[12]

In 1973, a very sharp chicane was added at the end of the backstretch, approaching oval turn three.

In 1984[19]and 1985,[20]the layout was modified, re-profiling road course turns 1 and 2, and moving what is now turn 3 (nicknamed the "International Horseshoe" ) closer to its preceding turns. Also, the chicane on the backstretch was modified. A new entry leg was constructed approximately 400 ft (120 m) earlier, resulting in a longer, three-legged, "bus stop" shape. Cars would now enter in the first leg, bypass the second leg, and exit out of the existing third leg. Passing would now be possible inside the longer chicane. The construction resulted in a final length of 3.560 mi (5.729 km) for the complete road course.

In 2003, the backstretch chicane was modified once again. The middle leg was repaved and widened, and now cars would enter through the first leg, and exit out of the second leg. The existing third leg was abandoned. This allowed cars a cleaner entry into oval turn three. After favorable results, in 2010 the third leg was demolished and removed permanently.

Map of the Moto-Course

In 2005, a second infield road course configuration was constructed, primarilyfor motorcycles.Due to fears of tire wear on the banked oval sections, oval turns 1 and 2 were bypassed giving the new course a length of 2.950 mi (4.748 km). The Daytona SportBike that runs the Daytona 200 however, uses the main road course except for the motorcyclePedro RodríguezHairpin (tighter than the one used for cars; the car version is used as an acceleration lane for motorcycles).[21]

On September 26 and 27, 2006, theIndyCar Seriesheld a compatibility test on the 10-turn, 2.73 mi (4.39 km) modified road course, and the 12-turn 2.950 mi (4.748 km) motorcycle road course with 5 drivers. The drivers who tested at the track wereVítor Meira,Sam Hornish Jr.,Tony Kanaan,Scott DixonandDan Wheldon.This marked the first time since 1984 that open wheel cars have taken to the track at Daytona.[22]On January 31 – February 1, 2007, IndyCar returned for a full test involving 17 cars.[23]

Map of NASCAR road course.

On July 8, 2020, NASCAR announced that it would race the Daytona road course in all of its national series for the first time in mid-August (with the Cup Series racing theGo Bowling 235), due to currentCOVID-19 pandemichealth restrictions inNew York state(requiring 14 days self-isolation on arrival from other states) preventing the use ofWatkins Glen International.[24]On July 30, a modification of the course to add a chicane near the exit of Turn 12 (Oval Turn Four) was announced, lengthening the course to 3.570 mi (5.745 km).[25]

On January 21, 2024,Pipo Deraniset the fastest ever recorded lap of the modern Daytona road course, with a 1:32.656 driving aCadillac V-Series.Rduring qualifying for the2024 24 Hours of Daytona.During the same session, every entrant in the IMSAGTPclass broke the course lap record previously set byOliver Jarvisin aMazda RT24-Pin 2019.[26]

Supercross

[edit]

DuringDaytona Beach Bike Week,a supercross track is built between the pit road and the tri-oval section of the track. Historically the track has used more sand than dirt, providing unique challenges to riders.[citation needed]The 2008–2013 track configurations were designed by former champion,Ricky Carmichael.[27]

Daytona has hosted anAMA Supercross Championshipround uninterruptedly since 1971.[28]

Flat track and infield kart track

[edit]

Popular dirt-track races in karting and flat-track motorcycle racing had been held atDaytona Beach Municipal Stadiumbut in 2009, the city announced the stadium was replacing its entire surface withFieldTurf,and thereby eliminating the flat-track racing at the stadium. To continue racing, speedway officials built the Daytona Flat Track, a new quarter-mile dirt track outside of turns 1 & 2 of the main superspeedway. It seats 5,000 in temporary grandstands and opened in December 2009 for WKA KartWeek. From 2010 to 2016, it also hosted theAMA Grand National Championship,before it was moved in 2017 to the tri-oval section and became a TT course.[29]

There is also a short paved kart/autocross track in the infield just inside of turn 3. TheSCCAholds autocross on this track in addition to hosting sprint karting races during KartWeek.

Paved short track

[edit]

In February 2012, it was announced that a 0.400 mi (0.644 km) pavedshort trackwould be constructed along the backstretch of the Speedway's main course, for NASCAR's lower-tier series to compete at during Speedweeks called theUNOH Battle at the Beach,which is similar to theToyota All-Star Showdown,formerly held atIrwindale Speedway.[30]The first races were held on that track in February 2013. The track was shortened to a 0.375 mi (0.604 km) oval in 2014 by shorter straightaways. The future of racing at the short track became uncertain after 2015 with the grandstands on the back straightaway being demolished as a part of the Daytona Rising project.[31]

Football

[edit]

In the fall of 1959, the track hosted several high school football games for theFather Lopez Green Wavein the first year of the school's football program.

The track hosted fourcollege footballgames featuring the Daytona-basedBethune–Cookman Wildcatsin 1974 and 1975. In early 2014 track president Joie Chitwood expressed a desire to bring football back to the track.[32]

Soccer

[edit]

On July 2 and 3, 2022, the track hosted Daytona Soccer Fest, a 2 day event highlighted by a friendly match betweenheated Colombian rivalsAmérica de CaliandDeportivo Caliand aNWSLregular season match between theOrlando PrideandRacing Louisville FC.

Video games

[edit]

In 1994,Segareleased an arcade game calledDaytona USA,using their Model 2 Arcade hardware. It was developed by their famed "AM2" development team. It featured a fully detailed 3D model of the circuit for the very first time. The soundtrack for the game included vocals byTakenobu Mitsuyoshi.It is widely considered to be one of the most successful and influential racing games of all time.Daytona USAspawned many sequels, both in the arcades and on various home video game consoles. The latest version,Daytona Championship USA,was released to arcades in 2017.[33]

iRacinghave laser-scanned the facility twice. The first in 2008, and 2011 once the repave was completed. Both are available in official racing series. There has been no word to when and if it will be re-scanned now that the Daytona Rising project has now been completed.[34]

Both the oval layout and Rolex 24 Hour layout are available in bothPlayStation 3video gamesGran Turismo 5andGran Turismo 6,and in thePlayStation 4andPlayStation 5gameGran Turismo 7.Daytona International Speedway is also featured inForza Motorsport 6andForza Motorsport 7for the Xbox One and Windows 10. The circuit returned to the Forza series inForza Motorsport (2023)forXbox Series X/Sand Windows.

Real Racing 3's second NASCAR update featured the Daytona International Speedway as a new circuit coming in three layouts. In addition to the oval and Rolex 24 Hour layouts inGran Turismo,there also exists a Daytona 200 layout in the game.

Fatalities

[edit]

Forty-one people have been fatally injured in on-track incidents: 24 car drivers, twelve motorcyclists, three go-kart drivers, one powerboat racer, and one track worker. The most notorious death was that ofDale Earnhardt,whowas killedon the final lap of the2001 Daytona 500on February 18, 2001.[35]Earnhardt is still Daytona International Speedway's most successful driver, with a total of 34 career victories (12 Daytona 500 qualifying races, 7 NASCAR Xfinity Series races, 6 Busch Clash races, 6 IROC races, 2 Pepsi 400 July Races and the1998 Daytona 500).

Fan amenities

[edit]
The former Earnhardt Grandstand at Daytona International Speedway, which was changed into one of the injectors after Daytona Rising

Hard Rock Bet Fanzone

[edit]

TheHard Rock Bet Fanzoneis an access package similar to pit passes for fans to get closer to drivers and race teams. The fanzone was built in 2004 as part of a renovation of the track's infield.[36]Fans are able to walk on top of the garages, known as the "fandeck", and view track and garage activity. Fans can also view race teams working in the garage, including NASCAR technical inspection, through windows. The garage windows also include slots for fans to hand merchandise to drivers for autographs. The fanzone also includes a live entertainment stage, additional food and drink areas and various other activities and displays.[37]

Daytona International Speedway Grandstand and Hospitality building from Pit Road. The Hospitality Building hosts the Rolex 24 Lounge, Sky Suite and France Suite and the Tri-Oval Club.

The 2004 renovation of the infield, headed by design firmHNTB,[38]was the first major renovation of the infield in the history of the track.[39]In addition to the fanzone, a new vehicle and pedestrian tunnel was built under turn 1. The tunnel posed a challenge to engineers because it was to be built under the water table. Another challenge came during construction when three named hurricanes passed by the track, flooding much of the excavation work. The infield renovation involved landscaping and hardscaping, such as a new walkway along the shore of Lake Lloyd, and the construction of 34 new buildings, including garages and fueling stations, offices and inspection facilities, and a club. The renovation project received a 2005 Award for Excellence from Design-Build Institute of America.[39]Following the success of the UNOH Fanzone at Daytona,Las Vegas Motor SpeedwayandKansas Speedwayeach built a similar infield fanzone.[citation needed]On December 9, 2016, the speedway announced that theUniversity of Northwestern Ohiopurchased entitlement rights to the fanzone, and that the area will be named 'UNOH Fanzone'.[40]On January 25, 2024, it announced the naming rights had been purchased by Hard Rock Cafe and named 'Hard Rock Bet Fanzone' after their sports betting service.[41]

Budweiser Party Porch

[edit]

TheBudweiser Party Porchwas a 46-foot-high (14.0 m) porch located along the backstretch of the track. It was built on top of a portion of the backstretch grandstands and includes a 277-foot-wide (84.4 m), 33-foot-tall (10.1 m) sign, the largest sign in motorsports.[42]The porch featured tables, food and drinks, offering fans a "fun-filled" atmosphere that breaks fans away from the confines of grandstand seating without sacrificing the view. Below the porch was an interactive fan zone featuring amusement rides, a go-kart track, show cars and merchandise trailers.[43]After the 2015 racing season, the Party Porch was torn down with the backstretch grandstands as part of the DAYTONA Rising project.

Layout configurations

[edit]

Events

[edit]

Current

[edit]

2.5-mile superspeedway

[edit]
The start of the2015 Daytona 500
The2018 Coke Zero Sugar 400

Road course

[edit]

Other

[edit]

Former

[edit]

Track records

[edit]

As of August 2024, track records on the 2.500 mi (4.023 km) tri-oval are followed as:[49]

Record Year Date Driver Car Make Time Speed/Avg Speed
NASCAR Cup Series
Qualifying (Old Gen) 1987 February 9 Bill Elliott Ford 42.783 210.364 mph (338.548 km/h)
Qualifying (Next Gen) 2024 August 23 Micheal McDowell Ford 49.136

183.165 mph (294.775 km/h)

Race (500 miles - 1 Lap) 2020 February 17 Erik Jones Toyota 43.682[50] 206.034 mph (331.580 km/h)
Race (400 miles) 1980 July 4 Bobby Allison Mercury 2:18:21 173.473 mph (279.178 km/h)
Race (250 miles) 1961 July 4 David Pearson Pontiac 1:37:13 154.294 mph (248.312 km/h)
NASCAR Xfinity Series
Qualifying 1987 Tommy Houston Buick 46.298 194.389 mph (312.839 km/h)
Race (300 miles - 1 Lap) 2019 February 16 Jeffrey Earnhardt Toyota 45.554[51] 197.568 mph (317.955 km/h)
Race (250 miles) 2003 July 4 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet 1:37:35 153.715 mph (247.380 km/h)
NASCAR Truck Series
Qualifying 2015 February 20 Spencer Gallagher Chevrolet 47.332 190.146 mph (306.010 km/h)
Race (250 miles - 1 Lap) 2019 February 15 David Gilliland Toyota 46.008[52] 195.618 mph (314.817 km/h)
IROC
Race (100 miles) 1996 February 16 Dale Earnhardt Pontiac 47.926 187.793 mph (302.224 km/h)
ARCA Menards Series
Qualifying 1987 February 8 Bill Venturini Chevrolet 44.954 200.209 mph (322.205 km/h)
Race (200 miles) 1998 February 8 Kenny Irwin Jr. Ford 1:18:20 153.191 mph (246.537 km/h)
ARCA Menards Series East
Qualifying 1989 February 18 Kenny Wallace Pontiac 46.810 192.271 mph (309.430 km/h)
Race (300 miles) 1995 February 18 Chad Little Ford 1:59:25 150.732 mph (242.580 km/h)
USACIndyCar
Qualifying 1959 April 4 Dick Rathman Kurtis 51.970 173.21 mph (278.75 km/h)
Race (100 miles) 1959 April 4 Jim Rathmann Watson 52.861 170.261 mph (274.009 km/h)


Race lap records

[edit]

As of March 2024, the fastest official race lap records at the Daytona International Speedway are listed as:

Category Time Driver Vehicle Event
Tri-Oval: 4.023 km (1959–present)[2][53]
NASCAR Cup Series 0:43.682[50] Erik Jones Toyota Camry NASCAR 2020 Daytona 500
NASCAR Xfinity Series 0:45.554[51] Jeffrey Earnhardt Toyota GR Supra NASCAR 2019 NASCAR Racing Experience 300
NASCAR Truck Series 0:46.008[52] David Gilliland Toyota Tundra NASCAR 2019 NextEra Energy 250
ARCA Menards 0:48.256[54] Amber Balcaen Toyota Camry NASCAR 2024 Hard Rock Bet 200
Sports Car Course: 5.729 km (1985–present)[2][53]
DPi 1:33.724[55] Álex Palou Cadillac DPi-V.R 2022 24 Hours of Daytona
LMP2 1:35.532[55] Paul-Loup Chatin Oreca 07 2022 24 Hours of Daytona
LMDh 1:35.554[56] Tom Blomqvist Cadillac V-Series.R 2024 24 Hours of Daytona
Group C 1:38.495[57] Masahiro Hasemi Nissan R91CP 1992 24 Hours of Daytona
IMSA GTP 1:38.596[58] Jan Lammers Jaguar XJR-12D 1990 24 Hours of Daytona
DP 1:39.180[59] Sébastien Bourdais Chevrolet Corvette DP 2014 24 Hours of Daytona
WSC 1:40.545[60] Max Papis Ferrari 333 SP 1998 24 Hours of Daytona
LMP900 1:42.078[61] Jan Lammers Crawford SSC2K 2002 24 Hours of Daytona
LMP3 1:42.133[55] Felipe Fraga Ligier JS P320 2022 24 Hours of Daytona
LM GTE 1:42.168[62] Jesse Krohn BMW M8 GTE 2020 24 Hours of Daytona
LMPC 1:42.716[63] Patricio O'Ward Oreca FLM09 2017 24 Hours of Daytona
TA1 1:43.289[64] Chris Dyson Ford Mustang Trans-Am 2019 Daytona Trans-Am round
GT3 1:44.541[62] Marcos Gomes Ferrari 488 GT3 2019 24 Hours of Daytona
GT1 (GTS) 1:47.917[65] Ron Fellows Chevrolet Corvette C5-R 2000 24 Hours of Daytona
Porsche Carrera Cup 1:47.983[66] Patrick Pilet Porsche 911 (997) GT3 Cup 3.8 2013 24 Hours of Daytona
Ferrari Challenge 1:48.403[67] Manny Franco Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo 2022 Daytona Ferrari Challenge North America round
Supersport 1:48.625[68] Richie Escalante Suzuki GSX-R600 2024 Daytona 200
IMSA GTS 1:49.604[69] Robby Gordon Ford Mustang 1993 24 Hours of Daytona
LMP675 1:49.731[70] Terry Borcheller Lola B2K/40 2002 Pepsi 400
TA2 1:50.470[71] Sam Mayer Chevrolet Camaro Trans-Am 2019 Daytona Trans-Am round
GT2 1:50.927[72] Olivier Beretta Dodge Viper GTS-R 1999 24 Hours of Daytona
IMSA GTP Lights 1:51.009[57] Parker Johnstone Spice SE91P 1992 24 Hours of Daytona
IMSA GTO 1:51.774[73] Darin Brassfield Ford Thunderbird 1985 3 Hours of Daytona
GT 1:52.354[74] Timo Bernhard Porsche 911 GT3-RS 2003 24 Hours of Daytona
GT4 1:52.665[75] Ben Rhodes Ford Mustang GT4 2023 BMW M Endurance Challenge at Daytona
American GT 1:54.206[76] Joe Varde Chevrolet Corvette C5 2001 24 Hours of Daytona
Twins Cup 1:55.413[77] Stefano Mesa Aprilia RS660 2024 Daytona MotoAmerica Twins Cup round
TCR Touring Car 1:57.878[78] Jon Morley Audi RS 3 LMS TCR 2024 BMW M Endurance Challenge at Daytona
IMSA GTS-2 2:00.432[79] Wolfgang Land Porsche 911 Carrera (993) 1995 24 Hours of Daytona
IMSA GTU 2:01.031[80] Jay Cochran Porsche 911 Turbo 1994 24 Hours of Daytona
Mazda MX-5 Cup 2:06.544[81] Gresham Wagner Mazda MX-5 (ND) 2023 Daytona Mazda MX-5 Cup round
NASCAR Road Course: 5.745 km (2020–2021)
NASCAR Cup Series 1:55.677[82] Chase Elliott Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 2021 O'Reilly Auto Parts 253
NASCAR Xfinity Series 1:58.106[83] Ty Gibbs Toyota Supra NASCAR 2021 Super Start Batteries 188
NASCAR Truck Series 2:00.689[84] Ben Rhodes Toyota Tundra NASCAR 2021 BrakeBest Select 159
Sports Car Road Course: 6.228 km (1984)
IMSA GTP 1:45.209[85] Derek Bell Porsche 962 1984 3 Hours of Daytona
IMSA GTO 1:53.984[85] Wally Dallenbach Jr. Ford Mustang 1984 3 Hours of Daytona
IMSA GTU 2:03.027[85] Elliot Forbes-Robinson Porsche 924 Carrera 1984 3 Hours of Daytona
Sports Car Road Course: 6.180 km (1975–1983)
IMSA GTP 1:45.360[86] Danny Ongais Lola T600 1982 3 Hours of Daytona
IMSA GTX 1:46.342[87] Danny Ongais Porsche 935 K3/80 1980 Daytona Finale 250 Miles
IMSA GTO 1:53.130[88] Don Devendorf Nissan 280ZX Turbo 1983 Summer Speed Week '83 Daytona
Group 4 1:53.890[89] Kenper Miller BMW M1 1981 IMSA National Championship Finale Daytona
IMSA GTU 2:02.418[87] Walt Bohren Mazda RX-7 1980 Daytona Finale 250 Miles
F750 2:07.431[a][90] Kenny Roberts Yamaha TZ750 1978 Daytona Formula 750 round
IMSA AAC 2:07.599[91] Gene Felton Buick Skylark 1978 Daytona Fire Cracker 400
Sports Car Road Course: 6.132 km (1959–1974)
Group 5 (Sports Car) 1:41.250[92] Mark Donohue Ferrari 512 M 1971 24 Hours of Daytona
Motorcycle racing 1:45.700[b][93] Mel Lacher Harley-Davidson KRTT 1965 Daytona 200
500cc 1:48.000 Mike Hailwood MV Agusta 500 4C 1964 United States motorcycle Grand Prix
Group 4 1:48.700[94] Jo Siffert Porsche 917K 1970 24 Hours of Daytona
Group 5 (Prototype) 1:49.604[95] Mike Hailwood Mirage M6 1973 24 Hours of Daytona
Group 6 1:54.000[96] Jo Siffert Porsche 908L 1969 24 Hours of Daytona
250cc 1:57.900 Alan Shepherd MZ RZ 250 Twin 1964 United States motorcycle Grand Prix
125cc 2:04.000 Hugh Anderson Suzuki 125 V4 1964 United States motorcycle Grand Prix
Group 3 2:08.200[97] Dave MacDonald Shelby Daytona Coupe 1964 2000 km of Daytona
50cc 2:19.500 Hugh Anderson Suzuki 50 GP 1964 United States motorcycle Grand Prix

Weather and climate

[edit]

Daytona has ahumid subtropical climate(KöppenCfa), which enables year-round use of the facility. Light frosts are in theory possible, but unlikely, during the 24-hour event's nighttime under clear conditions, but general racing conditions are mild also during winter. With a dry season taking place during the winter months, the 500 generally has good odds of being run without rain delays. The summer event under the floodlights is more likely to undergo disturbances, due to the rainy tendencies of the hot, muggy, and humid summers. Due to the complete difference of seasons, the two NASCAR Cup races at Daytona see vastly different track conditions.

Climate data forDaytona Beach Int'l,Florida (1981–2010 normals,[98]extremes 1923–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 92
(33)
89
(32)
92
(33)
96
(36)
100
(38)
102
(39)
102
(39)
101
(38)
99
(37)
95
(35)
90
(32)
88
(31)
102
(39)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 81.7
(27.6)
83.4
(28.6)
86.8
(30.4)
89.5
(31.9)
93.6
(34.2)
95.1
(35.1)
96.1
(35.6)
95.4
(35.2)
92.4
(33.6)
89.5
(31.9)
85.1
(29.5)
82.5
(28.1)
97.5
(36.4)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 68.4
(20.2)
70.7
(21.5)
74.5
(23.6)
79.2
(26.2)
84.7
(29.3)
88.4
(31.3)
90.2
(32.3)
89.6
(32.0)
86.9
(30.5)
82.0
(27.8)
76.0
(24.4)
70.4
(21.3)
80.1
(26.7)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 47.3
(8.5)
50.1
(10.1)
54.2
(12.3)
58.6
(14.8)
65.4
(18.6)
71.4
(21.9)
73.0
(22.8)
73.4
(23.0)
72.2
(22.3)
65.9
(18.8)
57.3
(14.1)
50.5
(10.3)
61.7
(16.5)
Mean minimum °F (°C) 29.6
(−1.3)
33.3
(0.7)
38.4
(3.6)
44.6
(7.0)
54.8
(12.7)
65.2
(18.4)
68.4
(20.2)
69.5
(20.8)
65.2
(18.4)
51.1
(10.6)
41.7
(5.4)
32.8
(0.4)
27.2
(−2.7)
Record low °F (°C) 15
(−9)
24
(−4)
26
(−3)
32
(0)
40
(4)
52
(11)
60
(16)
63
(17)
52
(11)
39
(4)
25
(−4)
19
(−7)
15
(−9)
Average rainfall inches (mm) 2.74
(70)
2.78
(71)
4.24
(108)
2.18
(55)
3.13
(80)
5.83
(148)
5.83
(148)
6.40
(163)
6.96
(177)
4.21
(107)
2.69
(68)
2.63
(67)
49.62
(1,260)
Average rainy days(≥ 0.01 in) 7.5 7.3 8.2 5.8 6.8 13.3 12.8 14.0 13.5 10.6 7.7 7.5 115.0
Mean dailysunshine hours 7.0 8.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 8.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 8.2
Percentpossible sunshine 64 73 75 69 64 64 64 69 67 64 64 70 67
Source 1: NOAA[99][100]
Source 2: Weather Atlas (sunshine data)[101]
[edit]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^The reference only showed the record speed, so this lap time was actually found and calculated by dividing the record speed to track length.
  2. ^The reference only showed the record speed, so this lap time was actually found and calculated by dividing the record speed to track length.

References

[edit]
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[edit]