The NASCAR season is over, and that means it’s time to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. One of the biggest events of the year was the Daytona 500, which was held on the last Monday of February. The highlight of this year’s event was that for the first time ever, someone won the Daytona 500 while driving a zero-emission vehicle – namely, the all-electric Nissan e.TRADE Motorsport ZEODRIFT. This was also the first time a race-winner used a hands-free cell phone. The final stage of the race was canceled due to rain, so this is officially the first time the track met its demise. But it didn’t take long for another track to step up and express interest in taking the seat of honor at the Daytona 500. And what’s more, the company that owns the track, International Speedway Corporation, actually owns two other NASCAR tracks as well: Richmond International Raceway and Kansas Speedway. So if you happen to be in the area, you can bet that one of them will have a NASCAR race this year.
While Kansas and Richmond have a bit more waiting time before the next scheduled race (it’s currently unknown when those races will happen), Daytona is just a few hours away. And as previously stated, the track is currently closed because of weather conditions. But thanks to an act of Congress and some dedicated individuals, there is still hope that Daytona will reopen this year. And the best part is that you can help make that happen!
An open-wheel sports car race that takes place on a mile-and-a-half asphalt oval was first held at what is now known as Daytona International Speedway back in the year 1909. From then until the early 1960s, the race was usually the highlight of the year for sports car enthusiasts. And even today, some people still consider it to be the premier sporting event of the year. So when asked about whether or not he would like to see the Daytona 500 return, Richard Petty, who is the chairman of the International Speedway Corporation, responded, “Oh, absolutely. We have to have it.”
Since the Daytona 500 was canceled due to weather last year, the NASCAR world has been left without a traditional opening race for the year. But that didn’t stop Richard Petty and other racing enthusiasts from trying to find a way to get the season started on the right note. And thanks to a member of Congress, they may have found a way. As previously mentioned, the Daytona International Speedway is owned by International Speedway Corporation. However, the track also receives monetary support from the Federal Government through the America’s Automobile Association (AAA) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHA). And thanks to an act of Congress, these agencies agreed to put up some of the money that is needed to keep the track open. This is definitely a win-win situation, not only for the track but for all of motorsport!
The Act That Keeps The Lights On At Daytona International Speedway
Last year, the Daytona International Speedway closed down for the last time as they marked the end of an era. After more than a century of sports car racing at the track, they closed down for a while to retool and rebuild the facility. The track laid off most of their employees and temporarily closed down several of their restaurants. And considering that this is a high-profile track that regularly draws in big crowds and is often used as a setting in movies and other TV shows, there were many people who were worried about the future of the track as well as other NASCAR venues. Thankfully, the situation turned out to be a little bit better than expected. While the track was closed down for several months, they instead spent that time figuring out a way to make the track safer and more suitable for racing. And thanks to an act of Congress and the diligent efforts of a few individuals, they were able to do that. Now, with the help of the Federal Government and other private investors, they are looking to build a new and improved Daytona International Speedway. But before they can do that, they first need to get past one more hurdle – namely, the finances. The money to complete this project will likely come from private sources, specifically NASCAR and other motor sports enthusiast. With the new safety features planned for the track, it is expected that it will be a lot safer than it has ever been before.
The 2021 NASCAR Season – Will It Be a Repeat Of 2019?
Considering that the last time the Daytona 500 was canceled was back in 1919, people were a little bit surprised that it was canceled again this year. But with the world now fully aware of how dangerous and how costly gas-guzzling vehicles are to the environment, it is not hard to see why NASCAR opted to cancel the race. During the pandemic, it has been difficult to find a reason to go outside. So when the opportunity to race presented itself, it was not hard to see why so many people wanted to do it. In fact, many tracks have already declared that they will host races this year. And considering that it will be the first time that several of them have been open since before the pandemic, it would not be a stretch to say that many of them will try to cash in on the renewed interest in racing.
Where Will The Next Great American Race Take Place?
With the renewed interest in motorsport, there is no doubt that there will be many great motorsport venues built across the country. In fact, the only question is: Will they all be open? After the initial shock of the pandemic has worn off, it is time for us to look at the bigger picture. While several motorsport venues have stayed open during the pandemic, many others have not. And quite frankly, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that several have closed down for good. After all, it takes money to keep a track open – especially in these turbulent times. Even the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which has been synonymous with American motorsport for more than a century, had to close down for several weeks due to a lack of funding. But that is also the reason why they were able to implement some of the safety measures that they had been planning for years. So while it is unfortunate that several great venues have had to close, it is also an opportunity for others to step up and take their place.
Thanks to the efforts of a few individuals and a member of Congress, the doors at the famed Daytona International Speedway might be opening back up soon. And considering the track’s long history, it would be an absolute shame if they did not. As long as there is funding available, they will absolutely try to bring the Daytona 500 back this year. But until then, it is up to the individual drivers and teams to make the most of what they have and help give the motorsport world a sense of celebration for what would have been the opening race of the season. And for those who can’t make it to Daytona in person, there is always next year.