NOVI, MI and DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Two of the greatest names in racing soon will share the same address. The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, motor racing’s Cooperstown, announced today that it will move its operations and collection of historic racing machines and memorabilia from the Detroit area to the ”World Center of Racing,” Daytona International Speedway by January 2016.
The move coincides with the scheduled January 2016 completion of DAYTONA Rising, the speedway’s $400 million frontstretch renovation project currently underway.
Plans call for the Hall of Fame’s displays featuring cars, images, stories and bronze sculptures of 209 icons of American motorsports to be located in the Daytona International Speedway Ticket and Tours Building, which was formerly known as the “DAYTONA 500 Experience.”
Vehicles and artifacts representative of the diversity of motorized competition celebrated by the Hall of Fame, including Open Wheel, Stock Cars, Motorcycles, Aviation, Drag Racing, Sports Cars and Powerboats, will be exhibited as a regular part of the tours admission at Daytona International Speedway all year long.
“The partnership between Daytona International Speedway and the Hall of Fame is a match made in racing heaven,” said Ron Watson, president of the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America. “The Hall gets a home within one of America’s most famous and best-loved sports venues. Race fans and tourists who come to Daytona will have another great attraction to visit throughout the year.”
“Daytona International Speedway is an iconic racing venue and will be a fitting home to the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America,” Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III said. “Having the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America right here in Daytona will complement DAYTONA Rising and provide another reason for race fans to visit Daytona International Speedway.”
Daytona International Speedway offers three different types of tours – a 30-minute, 90-minute All-Access and a three-hour VIP tour. More information on the tours can be found at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/tours.
In addition, the champion Daytona 500 car will continue to be on display at the Daytona International Speedway Ticket and Tours building and be a part of the Speedway tours.
DAYTONA Rising, which broke ground last July at Daytona International Speedway, is a $400 million reimagining of an American icon – Daytona International Speedway. Five expanded and redesigned entrances, or “injectors,” will lead fans to a series of escalators and elevators, transporting them to three different concourse levels. Each level features spacious social areas, or “neighborhoods,” along the nearly mile-long frontstretch. At the conclusion of the redevelopment, Daytona International Speedway will have approximately 101,000 permanent, wider and more comfortable seats, twice as many restrooms and three times as many concession stands. In addition, the Speedway will feature over 60 luxury suites with track side views and a completely revamped hospitality experience for corporate guests. DAYTONA Rising: Reimagining an American Icon, expected to create 6,300 jobs, $300 million in labor income and over $80 million in tax revenue, will be completed in time for the 2016 Rolex 24 At Daytona and DAYTONA 500. Fans can follow the project online by using #DAYTONARising on Twitter or visiting www.daytonarising.com.
Tickets for the next Motorsports Hall of Fame of America induction ceremony, August 6, 2014 at the Fillmore Theater in Detroit, can be purchased by calling 248-349-7223 or through the Hall of Fame’s website www.mshf.com.
Fans can also stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest for the latest news all season long.
