Daytona Beach, FL – The big test for the new Daytona International Speedway is here.
Practice sessions for the drivers began Thursday as the green flag was waived for Speedweeks 2016, the first since the completion of the $400 million renovation project known as Daytona Rising.
ARCA Racing Series drivers took to the track first in preparation for Saturday afternoon’s 53rd annual Lucas Oil 200 Driven by General Tire. That will be the second official race at the new facility after last month’s Rolex 24 At Daytona.
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers will take to the tri-oval on Friday for 2 practice sessions ahead of Saturday night’s Sprint Unlimited races, the pair of 75-mile duels that are the unofficial start of the racing season. The starting grid for those races will be determined by a draw at 3:30 PM Friday.
In an interview earlier this week on Daytona’s Morning News, DIS President Joie Chitwood III said it’s great to finally get back to racing without having to worry about the construction that took over 2 years to complete.
“I actually think this weekend with the Sprint Unlimited will be interesting from the standpoint of a lot of our local fans will show up and actually be able to kick the tires and check it all out before the craziness of the next week,” Chitwood added.
He did admit that there would be a learning curve for staff, drivers and fans as everyone figures out how to best use the renovated Speedway and its many new features.
Crowd capacity has dropped to 101,500, with all the seats removed on the nearly mile-long frontstretch and replaced with wider seating that DIS officials say will be more comfortable for fans. Tens of thousands of seats were lost with the demolition of the entire backstretch grandstands.
The concourse areas are also wider, as is 5 expanded and redesigned entrances known as “injectors” that will lead fans to escalators and elevators to the concourses and the 11 social “neighborhoods” along the nearly mile-long frontstretch. 4 of those 5 entrances have been sponsored by Sunoco, Toyota, Chevrolet and Florida Hospital.
DIS officials say there’s 2 times as many restrooms and 3 times as many concession stands compared to the old venue. That’s on top of over 60 luxury suites with trackside views and a completely revamped hospitality experience for corporate guests that includes over 1,400 television screens.
Local tourism officials expect a big boost in dollars across the board from tourists this year wanting to get a glimpse of the new Speedway. DIS officials expect this year’s Daytona 500 to sell out in part because of the excitement surrounding the renovated facility.
Copyright 2016 Southern Stone Communications.