ISC decides to pave Daytona
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| Engineers work on the initial paving of Daytona International Speedway in 1958 | Daytona International Speedway is repaved for the first and only time in 1978. The track will be repaved again in 2010. | Layers in the 2010 repaving of the Daytona International Speedway |
| Daytona International Speedway | Daytona International Speedway | Daytona International Speedway |
04/24/10 For only the second time in its history, Daytona International Speedway 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 team of engineers and asphalt specialists have conducted a thorough evaluation of the entire track, and 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.
Daytona International Speedway’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 leveled and then paving will begin.
The repaving of Daytona International Speedway 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, July 4 with a target completion date of Jan. 1, 2011.
Speedweeks 2011 will kick off with the 49th annual Rolex 24 At Daytona GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series race on Jan. 29-30 and conclude with the 53rd annual Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 20, the prestigious season-opening event to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
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 Daytona International Speedway.
Due to the repaving project, the October motorcycles races, Richard Petty Driving Experience dates, testing sessions and other track rental events will be cancelled for the rest of the year.
Daytona KartWeek presented by Cometic Gasket World Karting Association races on Dec. 28-30 will continue as scheduled with the sprint and dirt track events only as those two series do not utilize the 2.5-mile tri-oval.
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. The Daytona 500 ticket renewal process begins today.
Race fans will be able to view all the progressions 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. Press Release
04/23/10 Daytona to repave track for 2011 season: After months of investigation into Daytona’s aged asphalt surface, we finally have an answer as to the future of the speedway’s repaving project. Sources tell Mike Lovecchio [from Frontstretch.com] that an announcement will be made tomorrow by ISC the track will be fully repaved in time for the 2011 Daytona 500. According to sources, investigation into the track surface, which was last repaved in 1978, revealed “concerns" that have forced ISC to move up the timeline of the project. A source also says there are still private worries remaining about the condition of the asphalt for July’s Coke Zero 400, but the choice has been made to not rush the project and wait until after the second round of Daytona races. The move is an about face from ISC and Daytona’s stance on the matter in February. After a pothole caused two red flags totaling two hours, 25 minutes for repairs in this year’s 500, DIS President Robin Braig was adamant the track would hold off on its repaving job until 2012. No word on the exact cost of the project, but sources claim pieces of the old asphalt could be sold to fans once the repave is complete. Daytona International Speedway did not return a phone call for comment. Frontstretch