Visiting Daytona, Florida? Don’t you dare miss a trip to Daytona International Speedway? This is what the true heart and soul of Daytona Beach Florida is all about.
Who wouldn’t love to camp out for one week during the crazy, fun, insane energy that is built around the Daytona 500? This is one of my dreams.
Yet life gets in the way, and since I am not part of the racing community and can not make it a priority, taking a tour of the most famous NASCAR racetrack in the world works well for my family and me.
Learning all about Daytona Racing – Taking the Tour
As with every great place, history brings it to life. Since 1959, Daytona International Speedway has brought thousands of racing enthusiasts to its huge facility. Adult tickets are $19, kids aged 5-12 are $13, and little ones 4 and under ride for free!
Daytona International Speedway Facts
- NASCAR founder William France Sr. began planning for the track in 1953.
- The city commission agreed to lease the 447 acres (181 ha) parcel of land adjacent to Daytona Beach International Airport to France’s corporation for $10,000 a year over a 50 year period.
- The track was built in 1958 to host racing that was being held at the former Daytona Beach Road Course.
- To build the high banking, crews had to dig out tons of soil from the track’s infield.
- Because of the high water table in the area, the hole excavated filled with water to form what is now known as Lake Lloyd. The lake got stocked with 65,000 fish, and France would arrange speedboat races on it.
- By December 1958, France had begun to run out of money and started relying on race ticket sales to complete construction.
- On February 22, 1959, 41,000 people attended the inaugural Daytona 500.
- On April 4, 1959, it would host a 100 mi Champ Car event, and with an average speed of 170.26 mph (274.01 km/h), it was at the time the fastest motor race ever.
- Since its opening, it has been the home of the Daytona 500, the most prestigious race in NASCAR.
- Bill Elliott set the qualifying record of over 210 MPH set on February 9, 1987.
- Lights were installed around the track in 1998, and today it is the third-largest single-lit outdoor sports facility.
- The Daytona International Speedway is the most prestigious NASCAR racetrack in North America. It is known as the “World Center of Racing.”
- Daytona is the second-largest oval on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Circuit.
- Daytona International Speedway is the largest outdoor stadium in Florida.
- The track’s 180-acre (73 ha) infield includes the 29-acre (12 ha) Lake Lloyd, which has hosted powerboat racing.
- 90% of the course can be seen from any seat.
- When the track opened, it was the fastest racetrack to ever host a stock car race, until Talladega Superspeedway opened 10 years later.
- NASCAR drivers, like Dale Earnhardt died in crashes at Daytona International Speedway. On April 4, 1959, was the occasion of Daytona’s first fatality: George Amick, attempting to overtake for third late in the race, hit a wall and was killed.
- Richard Petty has had the most Daytona 500 victories at 7.
- Chevrolet is the most successful car here, with 22 wins in the 500.
- Bill Elliott’s qualifying record of over 210 MPH, set on February 9, 1987, will never be broken since the record was set before the use of restrictor plates.
- Getting around is a breeze with 17 elevators and 40 escalators – the most outdoor stadium escalators in the U.S.!
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Daytona Racetrack Tour Guide
The tour begins at the main building of the tour center. You can choose three different tours, ranging between 30 minutes – three hours.
Everyone is on board. The tour truck for commentary, historical facts, and an inside view of what goes on at the track.
The renovation, a $400 million project called Daytona Rising, is being built and will be completed by Speed Weeks in 2016. Plus, bring tons of tourism and race car junkies that will have a whole new place to play.
During our tour, we were lucky enough to see race cars in action.
You can see the cars going into inspection as well. The average speed on the track that day was around 135 mph.
Where are my victory cup and my champagne bottle? I need to shake it up, too! I guess we don’t really deserve it, but we did get a chance to hang out on Victory Lane, where all the greatest Daytona 500 racers stand to receive their glory.
Toward the end of the tour, we got off the bus and headed to see the winning car of this year’s Daytona 500, which belongs to Jimmie Johnson; he has won this race two times. The car is placed here for everyone who visits to get to see it up close.
The end is the Daytona International Speedway Wall of Winners.
How to Maximize Your Visit To Daytona International Speedway
Reach Earlier
Visiting Daytona International Speedway is an exhilarating experience steeped in history and the roar of engines. To truly savor every moment, arriving early is key. The morning air, slightly cooler and less crowded, offers the perfect ambiance to explore the grounds leisurely. This head start means you dodge the larger crowds that swell by midday and secure a prime spot for the pre-race activities..
Wear Comfortable Dress
Depending on the season, you might need to dress warmly or lightly, as the temperature can vary throughout the day. Opting for lightweight, breathable fabrics will keep you cool in the Floridian humidity. Remember, you’ll be on your feet a lot, wandering from the stands to the infield and everywhere in between, so sturdy, comfortable shoes are a must. This way, nothing will slow you down from catching every exciting moment.
Explore Every Nook Of The Speedway
Explore the Speedway Daytona International Speedway is more than just a racetrack. It is also a museum, a theme park, and a cultural landmark. Take time to explore every nook of the Speedway. From the high-banked turns that have witnessed historic finishes to the infield’s Lake Lloyd, where speedboats occasionally zip by, there’s more to Daytona than just the track. It’s these hidden gems around the venue that enrich your experience, painting a fuller picture of what makes Daytona International Speedway iconic in the NASCAR world.
Don’t Dare To Miss The Pre-Race Show
The “Pre-Race Show” is an integral part of the Daytona experience, embodying the spirit and excitement that leads up to the main event. This spectacle is a blend of music, pyrotechnics, and presentations that rev up the atmosphere, setting the tone for the high-octane race to come. Skipping this would mean missing out on a crucial part of what makes race day at Daytona so unforgettable.
Try Local food Favorite
Lastly, no visit to Daytona International Speedway would be complete without indulging in local food favorites. Beyond the typical race-day fare, the area offers unique culinary delights that capture the essence of Florida. Daytona Beach has some cool spots for foodies, like Racing’s North Turn Restaurant. They’ve been dishing up fresh seafood since 1953, all with a view of those gorgeous Atlantic Ocean sunsets.
Events at Daytona International Speedway
- Rolex 24 – Jan 25 2014
Prices: Kids 12 & under are FREE; 4 Day Pass $80; Two-day admission (grandstand only) $35; Two-day admission (infield and grandstand) $40
- Daytona 500 – Feb 23
Prices: from $65 to $680, check price map for details
- Budweiser Speedweeks – Feb 15 – 23
- Coke Zero 400 – July 5
Prices: from $45 to $160; check price map for details
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Information for Visiting Daytona International Speedway
For more details about tours, go here
- Speedway Tour
Price: Adults $16; Kids 6 to 12 $10; Kids under 5 free.
Hours: DAILY AT 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, 3:30 PM, 4 PM
- All Access Tour
Price: Adults $23; Kids 6 to 12 $17; Kids under 5 free.
Hours: DAILY AT 10 AM-3 PM EVERY HOUR ON THE HOUR
- VIP Tour
Price: $50
Hours: SELECT TUE, THU, SAT FROM 1-4 PM.
The Bottom Line!
With so much to see and do at Daytona International Speedway, it’s no wonder that it has become a must-visit destination for racing enthusiasts and travelers alike. From the history-soaked ground to the adrenaline-pumping races, there’s never a dull moment at this iconic track. My advice? Plan your visit, arrive early, and take it all in. You won’t regret it! Thanks for reading this guide!
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Last Updated on May 31, 2025
It sounds like you might have visited the tour close to the same time I did. I was there in mid-December 2013 and went with close to zero interest in NASCAR racing. Having said that I found the experience to be an opportunity to learn more about the sport and the history. You can see my review here http://flightsandfrustration.com/daytona-raceway-tours/
You present a lot of great facts here which really helps to understand the true history of what is undoubtedly a very famous race, particularly for Americans.
It definitely looks like we were around the same time. We went for the 4 pm tour and it was us and 2 others, so almost a private tour. Loved it.
Now I need to find out about Formula 1 🙂
Daytona is a pretty neat place! Thanks for sharing all of the interesting facts about the raceway.
was here in november injoyed it