While the 2020 season has just begun, many motorsport fans are already looking ahead to the big races of the year. One of the big events on the motorsport calendar is the legendary 100-mile-long (160 km) NASCAR Orange Show Speedway located in Central Florida. If you’re visiting Orlando or Kissimmee, be sure to check it out! In this article, we’ll tell you some interesting facts about the venue, including how to race there, parking, and directions to the track. So let’s get started.
Interesting Facts About The Orange Show Speedway
The Daytona International Speedway is over 500 miles from Orlando, and even more away from the epicenter of the Corona pandemic, which is Central Florida. Meaning, there’s nowhere near the volume of people traveling to The Orange Show Speedway for sporting events as there is at the Daytona International Speedway. This unique characteristic makes the location a bit more difficult to get to know well. However, it also makes the racing experience all the more unique. Here are some interesting facts about the iconic NASCAR speedway:
The Track Is Named After The Orange Juice Company
It is widely known that the Daytona International Speedway is named after the famous American car manufacturer, and it wasn’t even originally named after the fruit! The track was originally called the Plymouth Motor Speedway before being renamed the Daytona International Speedway in the early 1960s. According to race historian Chris Eubank, the then-named Plymouth Motor Speedway was a 500-mile (805 km) grass ovals in Pennsylvania that staged their first indoor race in January 1911. The first night race at the speedway was also held that same month, attracting over 10,000 spectators in the stands. The name “Plymouth” was chosen because the facility was initially funded by an investment firm that owned the Plymouth Motor Company. The following year, the track was hosting a 500-mile (805 km) race that attracted over 30,000 spectators. In 1914, the owners of the track decided to change the surface from grass to clay to create better racing conditions. Since then, the track has always been maintained on a clay surface. Though the venue has undergone changes over the years, the name “Daytona International Speedway” remains today.
The Orange Show Speedway Is The Home Of Some Spectacular Sights
One of the things that make the NASCAR Orange Show Speedway so special is that, unlike most other racing venues, most of the action takes place outside! This is due to the fact that the track is located in a large agricultural area near Orlando, Florida. As a result, lots of barns, grain silos, and truck scales dot the landscape, creating a very open and airy atmosphere. This definitely contributes to the unique feel of the venue. However, this also makes the area a bit more dangerous. During thunderstorms, the track can sometimes become temporarily unsupervised, causing accidents. The track has also been the location of numerous suicides, as the open countryside is a popular place for people to off themselves.
Many Of The Drivers Come From Outer Space
One of the most interesting aspects of the NASCAR Orange Show Speedway is the range of vehicles that appear on the track. The list of drivers includes some well-known faces as well as some that are best known for their appearances in comics and cartoons! It would be an understatement to say that the list of drivers is bizarre, featuring names like Tommy Kirk, Bill Spiers, Marty Robbins, Johnny O’Hara, and many more. This undoubtedly adds to the charm of the venue. Be sure to check out the driver roster before you go to the track, so you know what iconic cars to expect!
The Whole Experience Is More Than Just Racing
Though the main event at the NASCAR Orange Show Speedway is racing, it also hosts a variety of other activities. These include camping, concerts, family reunions, rallies, and more. In fact, the whole experience is more than just racing. If you’re looking for a unique way to spend a day, consider heading to the track for some camping or an intimate concert with the bands you love!
How Do I Get To The Orange Show Speedway?
Getting to the NASCAR Orange Show Speedway is easy. There are multiple bus stops right outside the gate. If you’re driving, take Interstate 95 South to Exit 64 (Kissimmee) or Exit 65 (Orlando). Both these exits will take you directly to the front gate of the speedway. If you have a couple of hours to spare, it’s a good idea to stop at one of the nearby eateries to eat some fast food before you continue your journey. You’ll soon find yourself in the right place.
What To Expect At The Track
Though there is a lot of open space around the track, it is not completely flat. There are four turns that make up the layout of the venue. This includes the tri-oval and the two long straightaways, which are both banked at over 10 degrees. This is something that makes the NASCAR Orange Show Speedway a bit different from other NASCAR tracks. The turns are designed to maximize the speed of the cars, especially the four turns that form a complete circle. This allows the drivers to get every bit of speed they can out of their vehicles!
What Is The Experience Like In The Stands?
Though you cannot bring food or drink inside the track, you can bring your own grub and beverage with you into the stands. Of course, you’ll have to pay for these items yourself. If you do not want to pay for a sit-down meal, you can always bring a picnic and eat it outside the stands. There are also many vendors inside the track that offer refreshments and other items for sale. If you’re running low on energy, you can get a coffee, tea, or soft drink from one of the vendors to get yourself back on track! Many fans will bring their own chairs or blankets to sit on, as there are no barriers between you and the action. Bringing a TV to watch the races is also very popular, as it is usually very easy to set up and operate. This makes the whole experience much more enjoyable for viewers and participants alike.
Of course, at the end of the day, the main attraction at the NASCAR Orange Show Speedway is the racing itself! The reason this article exists is to give you some tips on how to maximize your experience when you do head to the track. Be sure to check out the venue and their website for more information.