An announcement this morning at Talladega Superspeedway was to inform the media that plans are to re-pave the Daytona International Speedway after the July Coke Zero 400 race weekend. The historic project to be completed in time for Speedweeks in 2011 and was announced by track Presedent Robin Braig.
“This is a historic moment for NASCAR’s most storied race track – Daytona International Speedway,” Braig said, “Daytona was orginally repaved in 1978 and the time has come again to put new asphalt on this legendary race track.“
After the conclusion of this years 52nd Daytona 500 in February, International ‘Speedway Corporation’s team of engineers and asphalt specialists have conducted a through evaluation of the entire track, and upon completion of the analysis, the results were delivered to the ISC board of Directors where the decision was made to repave the race track following the 2010 Coke Zero 400.
The entire 2.5 m leveledile tri-oval track will be repaved as well as the skid pads, apron, and pit road. Concrete will be used for pit stalls. All of the existing asphalt will be removed down to the original 52 year old lime rock base., which will be leveled and then paving will begin. In the photo, it shows how the repaving will be followed and the degree of levels of how it is to be done.
Target completion date will be Jan. 1, 2011 and will begin immediately after the Coke Zero 400 race weekend. Speedweeks will kick off with the Rolex 24 and conclude with the 53rd annual Daytona 500on Sunday, Feb. 20th. Lane Construction, which repaved other ISC race tracks including Talladega Superspeedway, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Richmond Internationl Raceway, and Darlington Raceway, has been contracted to repave Daytona International Speedway.
All activities at the Daytona track have been canceled which includes all Richard Petty Driving Experience dates, testing sessions, and other track rental events have been canceled or postponed until the following year.
If race fans want to claim a piece of history, they can renew their 2011 Daytona 500 tickets and each account holder will receive a portion of the tracks surface repersenting over 50 years of memories. Ticket renewal begins today. Fan will also be able to view all the progressions of the project from a section of the Oldfield Grandstands, which will be open free to the public. Track tours will also be available. Visit Daytonainternationalspeedway.com for all information.
