Daytona International Speedway
Daytona International Speedway hosts the granddaddy of motorsports. (Robert Laberge/Getty Images)
Complete ESPN SportsTravel NASCAR Guide | 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule
Overview
When it comes to NASCAR, it all starts with Daytona, literally and figuratively. It is here where many of the sport's most enduring memories have been created. Drivers who have accomplished both have actually said that winning the season-opening Daytona 500 was more important to them than winning a series championship.
The 2.5-mile tri-oval hosts two points races, the Daytona 500 on Feb. 15 and the Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola on July 4.
The 500 is the one that sets the tone for the entire season to follow. Who can forget Darrell Waltrip's "Ickey Shuffle" in Victory Lane after his victory in 1989, or Dale Earnhardt's row of congratulatory handshakes on his way to that elusive place that had eluded him for so long? Or what about the 1979 race in which Cale Yarborough and the Allison brothers duked it out on national television?
The 400, meanwhile, has had some magic of its own. This is the race in which Richard Petty won his 200th race as President Ronald Reagan looked on in 1984. It's also where Dale Earnhardt Jr. won just five months after his father passed away in the 500 in 2001.
The track itself has become one of the most fan-friendly venues in all of sports. Hospitality suites and tents are everywhere. And you can't beat the sight of seagulls and the smell of the ocean in February. The speedway is just minutes from Daytona Beach and surrounding-area sands.
This is truly the place where NASCAR began its ascent to the top of the American sporting landscape. It has everything racing fans could want.
Address
Daytona International Speedway
1801 W. International Speedway Blvd.
Daytona Beach, FL 32120
daytonainternationalspeedway.com and daytona500.com
More track news is available through jayski.com.
Notable Events
NASCAR Weekend
Thursday, July 2, 2009
• Practice Day
Sprint Cup Series
Gate times to be determined
Friday, July 3, 2009
• Qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series
• Nationwide Series 250, 8 p.m.
NASCAR Nationwide Series
Gate times to be determined
Saturday, July 4, 2009
• Brumos Porsche 250 for the Rolex Sports Car Series, time TBD
• Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola, 8 p.m.
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Gate times to be determined
Tickets
Ticket office: 386-253-7223 or 1-800-PITSTOP;
866-472-8725 (TDD Hearing Impaired)
Online: Buy tickets.
Pit passes: Not available. (Sprint FANZONE passes are available, however.)
Fan hospitality: Several different options available, call the track ticket
office for further information.
Special packages: Call the track ticket office for further information.
Track Specs
Track length: 2.5 miles
Banking: Corners — 31 degrees; straights — 3 degrees;
tri-oval — 18 degrees
Frontstretch: 3,800 feet
Backstretch: 3,000 feet
Race length: 500 miles, 400 miles
Grandstand seating capacity: 168,000
Opened: 1959
Carry-In Items
Coolers: Allowed (one soft-side bag/cooler — limit of 6"x6"x12";
one clear, plastic bag — limit of 18"x18"x4"; plastic bags may not
contain ice).
Glass containers: Not allowed.
Alcoholic beverages: Allowed.
Cameras/binoculars: Allowed, must be worn separately.
Souvenirs/Displays
Merchandise: Driver and NASCAR merchandise haulers on-site.
Scanners: Scanners available for rent on-site.
Autographs
Check local newspapers and TV; drivers rarely available on race day.
Pit Area Guidelines
Pit passes not available for sale, but Sprint FANZONE passes, garage viewing windows
and fan deck are available, can be purchased.
Camping
RV reserved: Available; call track ticket office for further information.
Associated Driving Schools
Richard Petty Driving Experience
1-800-BE-PETTY
Web site
Getting There
The track is located about a mile east of I-95 on West International
Speedway Boulevard.
For Frontstretch ticket holders (Oldfield, DePalma, Weatherly, Campbell, Roberts, Segrave, Keech, Lockhart Grandstands and Sprint, Petty & Earnhardt Towers):
• From the north (Jacksonville):
Take I-95 South to US-1 to exit 273.
Drive south on US-1 to State Route 40 to Granada Boulevard.
Travel west (right) on SR 40 to Clyde Morris Boulevard.
Take Clyde Morris Boulevard South to Parking Lot 7.
• From the south (Melbourne):
Take I-95 to LPGA Boulevard.
Drive up LPGA Boulevard east to Clyde Morris Boulevard.
Go on Clyde Morris Boulevard South to Parking Lot 7.
• From the east (Daytona Beach area):
From A1A, take any one of the area's bridges to US-1.
Travel on US-1 to Mason Avenue.
Take West Mason Avenue to Clyde Morris Boulevard.
Go north on Clyde Morris Boulevard to Parking Lot 7.
• From the west (Orlando):
Take I-4 East to State Route 44; get off at exit 118.
Take SR 44 East to US-1.
Travel on US-1 North to SR 400/Beville Road.
Motor on SR 400 West to Clyde Morris Boulevard.
Take Clyde Morris Boulevard north to access Parking Lot 7.
For Superstretch ticket holders (Allison, Lund and Turn Two Grandstands):
• From the north (Jacksonville):
Take I-95 South to US-1 to exit 273.
Drive south on US-1 to State Route 5-A (Nova Road).
Motor on Nova Road West to Clyde Morris Boulevard.
Go north on Clyde Morris Boulevard a half-mile to Bellevue Extensions.
Take Bellevue Extensions west 2 miles to Lot 10.
• From the south (Melbourne):
Take I-95 North to State Route 44 in New Smyrna Beach (Exit 249).
Drive east on State Route 44 to US-1 (Dixie Freeway).
US-1 North to State Route 5-A in Harbor Oaks.
State Route 5-A North to State Route 400 (Beville Road).
Beville Road West to Clyde Morris Boulevard.
Go north on Clyde Morris Boulevard a half-mile to Bellevue Extensions.
Take Bellevue Extensions west 2 miles to Lot 10.
• From the east (Daytona Beach area):
From A1A, take any one of the area's bridges to US-1.
Go South on US-1 to State Route 400 (Beville Road).
Beville Road West to Clyde Morris Boulevard.
Go north on Clyde Morris Boulevard a half-mile to Bellevue Extensions.
Take Bellevue Extensions west 2 miles to Lot 10.
• From the west (Orlando):
Take I-4 East to State Route 400 (Beville Road).
SR 400 East to Williamson Boulevard
Williamson Boulevard North to Parking Lot 10.
Note: During peak traffic ingress times, vehicles may be directed to Clyde Morris Boulevard,
then to Bellevue Extensions to access Parking Lot 10.
Parking
Free parking: Available, with shuttle service.
Handicapped parking: Available; requires parking pass
or disabled permit.
• Complete ESPN SportsTravel NASCAR Guide
• 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule
