DAYTONA BEACH, FL, February 22, 2013 — Daytona International Speedway (DIS) President Joie Chitwood this morning conducted the first in-depth, virtual “walk through” of what the iconic Speedway would look like as part of a proposed redevelopment project, one that Chitwood emphasized would be designed to reaffirm the Speedway’s standing among race fans as “the world center of racing for years to come.”
The proposed project is subject to approval by senior management of the International Speedway Corporation (ISC), which owns Daytona International Speedway, pending several economic stability factors as well as construction design and costs. The project may also be impacted by state legislation that would include incentives for surpassing significant private investment levels.
Speaking to nearly 300 media members and motorsports industry leaders this morning at the Speedway, Chitwood guided attendees through three-dimensional video renderings of what the redeveloped frontstretch structure would look like. The vision for the redevelopment places an emphasis on enhancing “the complete fan experience,” beginning with five expanded and redesigned fan entrances (“injectors”) along International Speedway Boulevard.
Each injector would lead directly to a series of escalators that would transport fans to any of three different concourse levels, each featuring spacious and strategically-placed social “neighborhoods” along the mile-long frontstretch. The 11 neighborhoods, each measuring the size of a football field, would enable fans to meet and socialize during events without ever missing any on-track action, thanks to an open-sightline design throughout each concourse and dozens of added video screens in every neighborhood.
The central neighborhood, the “World Center of Racing,” would celebrate the history of Daytona International Speedway and its many historic moments throughout more than 50 years of racing.
In addition, the redevelopment would see every seat in the Speedway frontstretch replaced with new and more comfortable seating, as well as the addition of more restrooms and concession stands within easier access points for all fans.
To learn more about the potential project, fans can visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/redevelopment. Fans can also visit RedevelopDaytona.com to learn how they may be able to get involved in helping make this potential project a reality.
Images of the newest renderings unveiled this morning, as well as renderings previously released in late January, are available for download here.
Additionally, interviews with defending NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Brad Keselowski and three-time DAYTONA 500 winner Dale Jarrett sharing their thoughts on the proposed project, can be viewed on Daytona International Speedway’s official YouTube channel.
About Daytona International Speedway
Daytona International Speedway is the home of “The Great American Race” – the DAYTONA 500. Though the season-opening NASCAR Sprint Cup event garners most of the attention – as well as the largest audience in motorsports – the approximately 500-acre motorsports complex boasts the most diverse schedule of racing on the globe, thus earning it the title of “World Center of Racing.” In addition to eight major weekends of racing activity, rarely a week goes by that the Speedway grounds are not used for events that include civic and social gatherings, car shows, photo shoots, production vehicle testing and police motorcycle training.
