For only the second time in its history, Daytona International Speedway (DIS) will be repaved following the Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola in July, track President Robin Braig announced.
“This is a historic moment for NASCAR’s most storied race track – Daytona International Speedway,” Braig said.
“Daytona was originally repaved in 1978 and the time has come again to put new asphalt on this legendary race track.”
Since the conclusion of the 52nd annual Daytona 500 in February, International Speedway Corporation’s (ISC) team of engineers and asphalt specialists have conducted a thorough evaluation of the entire track. Upon completion of that analysis, the results were delivered to the ISC Board of Directors where the decision was made to repave the race track following the 2010 Coke Zero 400.
DIS’s entire 2.5-mile tri-oval will be repaved as well as the skid pads, apron and pit road. Concrete will be used for the pit stalls. All of the existing asphalt will be removed down to the original 52-year-old lime rock base, which will be levelled and then paving will begin.
The repaving of DIS will remain true to Bill France Sr’s original vision, layout and geometry of the track that was constructed in the late 1950s.
The repaving project will begin immediately after the Coke Zero 400 Weekend Powered By Coca-Cola on Sunday, 4th July with a target completion date of 1st January, 2011.
Speedweeks 2011 will kick off with the 49th annual Rolex 24 At Daytona GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series race on 29th-30th January, 2011 and conclude with the 53rd annual Daytona 500 on Sunday, 20th February, the prestigious season-opening event to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
One exceptional driver from Avon Tyres British GT Championship, the Cooper Tires British F3 International, Radical UK Cup or the SPEED Sports Prototype Series – who entered the 2011 Sunoco Rolex 24 At Daytona Challenge – will of course, be competing in the iconic Rolex 24.
Lane Construction, which repaved other ISC race tracks including Talladega Superspeedway, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Richmond International Raceway and Darlington Raceway, has been contracted to repave DIS.
If race fans want to claim a piece of history, they can renew their 2011 Daytona 500 tickets and each account holder will receive a portion of Daytona’s track surface representing over 50 years of memories.
UK race fans visiting the US will be able to view all the progression of the historic repaving project from a section of the Oldfield Grandstands, which will open free to the public. Track tours will also be available through attraction admission to Daytona 500 Experience.
For tickets and more information on Daytona International Speedway events, visit daytonainternationalspeedway.com.
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