Track profile: Daytona International Speedway

Daytona International Speedway needs little to no introduction. The track known as the World Center of Racing is America’s most famous racing venue and home to some of the most prestigious auto races in the world.

Located a few miles from the Atlantic coast in Daytona Beach, Florida, the massive superspeedway has hosted the ARCA Menards Series season-opener every year since 1979. That tradition continues in 2022.

PHOTOS: ARCA Menards racing at Daytona

Nobody has won more ARCA Menards Series races at Daytona than Bobby Gerhart did with eight victories, including a pair of three-peats from 2005-2007 and 2010-2012. Of his nine career ARCA Menards Series wins, eight came at Daytona.

Below is all you need to know about the track that hosts the ARCA Menards Series season-opener every February.

Track profile: Daytona International Speedway

The history of Daytona International Speedway began in 1953, when Bill France Sr. realized the days of racing on the beach were numbered due to spreading land usage of a rapidly growing population and huge race crowds. France put his plans for the future of racing in Daytona Beach, Florida, in motion on April 4, 1953, with a proposal to construct a permanent speedway facility.

On Aug. 16, 1954, France signed a contract with City of Daytona Beach and Volusia County officials to build what would become Daytona International Speedway, the “World Center of Racing.” In 1957, land clearing began for the Speedway. The famous 31-degree highbanks were included in the design of the track so higher speeds could be achieved and to make it easier for fans to see the cars race around the 2.5-mile tri-oval. The dirt for the banking was taken from the infield and resulted in a 29-acre space that is known as Lake Lloyd.

Racing moved from the beach-road course to Daytona International Speedway in 1959, and the first Daytona 500 took place on Feb. 22 in front of a crowd of more than 41,000.

In 1961, the Daytona 200 motorcycle race was moved from the beach to the Speedway. The following year, DIS hosted the inaugural running of what is now known as the Rolex 24 At Daytona, North America’s most prestigious sports car race. The race was initially a three-hour race and became the 24-hour race we know it as today in 1966.

On July 5, 2013, ground broke on the $400 million Daytona Rising frontstretch renovation project that would transform the historic speedway into a state-of-the-art motorsports facility. The Speedway now has approximately 101,500 permanent, wider and more comfortable seats, 40 escalators, 17 elevators, twice as many restrooms, three times as many concession stands and three concourse levels that span the nearly mile-long frontstretch.

More about Daytona.

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ARCA Menards Series results at Daytona