Well, it certainly isn’t “No Parking.” A closer translation might be “No Trespassing.” But, in reality, it probably means “No Trouble.” You can’t blame the natives for being a bit territorial about their prized Daytona Beach race track. After all, it was founded by a famous Native American and the state of Florida has a history of disputes with the Choctaw Nation.
That being said, you can find plenty of spots to park in lots adjacent to the speedway. And, as long as you mind the signs, you should be fine.
The Historic Track
While the natives don’t want to hear it, the historic Daytona Speedway is definitely not a high-risk investment. In fact, it’s a sound financial decision.
When the track first opened in February, 1901, it was called the New York Speedway. Then, in March of that year, it was renamed the Daytona Speedway.
The historic track is still a popular venue for NASCAR racing. On any given Sunday, you might see cars from all over the country speeding around the track. And, even if you’re not a fan of auto racing, you’ll surely enjoy the atmosphere.
The only significant changes to the track in the last century have been the addition of more turns and banking, the repainting of the track surface, and the construction of an iconic grandstand.
The most recent renovations took place in the 1990s. And, even then, owner Richard Childress decided to keep the original orange and black racing surface. The improvements made to the speedway were a complete makeover of the entire oval. Most notably, a new, state-of-the-art press box was built adjacent to the backstretch.
The Grandstand
There’s no question that the grandstand is one of the iconic structures at the Daytona Speedway. When the renovations from the 1990s were complete, the grandstands were extended and a sectional roof was constructed above them.
Just outside of the grandstand, on the backstretch, you’ll often find ticket sellers and kids selling lemonade or popcorn. You might even spot a race car driver or two wandering around looking for a place to relax.
The track’s iconic grandstands are a great place to catch a NASCAR race. Whether you’re a fan of auto racing or not, you’ll enjoy the atmosphere.
The Timing/Scoring Laps
The timing and scoring laps at the Daytona Speedway are pretty self-explanatory. The faster you went, the better your time. And, as you might expect, the more skilled the driver, the faster they’d go.
They take a little bit of math and a lot of waiting. Luckily, the staff at the speedway is more than capable of helping you navigate through to the end. In case something was wrong with your car or you had some bad luck, the tooting and yelling from the grandstands gets LOUD. And let’s be honest, when’s the last time you heard kids talking about anything other than cars and boys?
So, while the waiting is never easy, at least you know that when the race is over, you can ask someone to help you find your car.
The Start/Finish Line
Speaking of boys, when the lights go out and the green flag waves, the whole track turns into one big, happy family. Well, sort of. There are a lot of men in suits and a few women in curlers wandering around the track. Some kids are even racing each other on individual cars.
Once the cars come to a complete stop, the crews scramble to remove the cars from the track. This is followed by the drivers walking to the pits to have their cars inspected and fueled. Then it’s out to the next race.
Yes, the starting and finishing lines are important, but the middle infield is just as vital. After all, it’s where the action is. You’ll never get bored at the Daytona Speedway. There’s always something going on. Whether it’s a race or a practice, you’ll always have a reason to be there.
So, if you’ve ever been curious about what exactly the historic stands and rings stand for at Daytona Speedway, this article should answer all your questions. As you might expect, there’s a lot more than one story behind the story. Take a walk down memory lane with us as we tell you more about the incredible history of NASCAR‘s premiere speedway.