Home to the Daytona 500, the most prestigious race in NASCAR, the Daytona International Speedway has been hosting the fastest road racing cars in the world as they compete for the top title since it opened in 1959. Other events include the Country 500, Coca-Cola Firecracker 250, the Coke Zero Sugar 400.
Any racing fan wouldn’t want to miss out on witnessing one of the several exhilarating races held at the Daytona International Speedway, the world’s only motorsports stadium. For your convenience, we’ve broken down all the important info you need to know about the venue, including tips on parking, security and concessions!
Daytona International Speedway Features
- Motorsports Hall of Fame of America showcasing spectacular displays of all forms of vehicles, along with bronze sculptures of the 230 Hall of Fame inductees and a shrine for the seven most recent individuals.
- NASCAR Shop which sells souvenirs, t-shirts and other NASCAR gear.
- Guests can take a picture next to Austin Dillon’s No. 3 Dow Camaro ZL1 from his 2018 Daytona 500 victory.
- VIP access to ISC Archives and Research Center where fans can go through collector items, racing memorabilia, and exclusive photos.
- Sir Malcolm Campbell’s replica of Bluebird III land speed record car
- Complete the tradition of signing the famed start/finish line
- Gatorade Victory Lane, where motorsports legends and fans can get their photos taken
- The track features multiple layouts including the primary 2.5-mile high-speed tri-oval, a 3.56-mile sports car course, a 2.95-mile motorcycle course, and a 1,320-foot karting and motorcycle flat-track. The track's 180-acre infield includes the 29-acre Lake Lloyd, which has hosted powerboat racing.
- Yellow garages: space for 74 cars
- Blue garages: space for 74 cars
- Alternate garage pad: spaces for 54 18-wheelers
Daytona International Speedway Parking
As the world’s only motorsports stadium, there will be many people racing to experience Daytona International Speedway. Therefore, we suggest arriving early and budgeting your time to encompass entering the venue. You wouldn’t want to miss the ready, set, go!
Another reason to arrive early is to take advantage of free parking, located in Lot 7 on the intersection between Bill France Boulevard and N Clyde Morris Boulevard. This is the official general free fan parking lot for the speedway.
Lot 7 offers a free park-and-ride service prior and after a race, which shuttles visitors to Lot 2 across from the speedway in a 12-minute drive. Lot 2 is the official pick up and drop off location for the shuttles. After races, the busses can take about 30-45 minutes to board and return to the parking lot.
The fastest way of exiting Lot 7 after a race is to use the North Exit onto LPGA Boulevard and head East. Most fans attempt to exit onto Clyde Morris and travel West to the nearest exit ramps onto I-95 and I-4. Going East on LPGA Boulevard will help reduce your wait time. Once you exit the lot and travel East you can go North or South on Nova Road (SR 5A) or Ridgewood Avenue (US 1) to connect to the nearby highways.
Infield parking is also available for cars, trucks or vans for $55 at the Turn 1 and Turn 4 tunnels. Plan to arrive as early as 6 a.m. to park here.
Do you always lose your car in the parking lot? The Daytona International Speedway Mobile App is here to help! Download the app to be able to drop a pin in the GPS location of your parked car so you can easily find it. The app also has other useful features like step-by-step navigation, interactive facility maps, customizable daily schedules, etc.
Daytona International Speedway Tailgating
No race day is complete without some pre-game festivities! The speedway offers tailgating options in the infield for the following prices: $75 for 3 or 2 days, and $55 for 1-day admission.
For the full Daytona Speedway experience, we recommend renting an RV or bringing your own and camping out on the infield, which becomes a rich communicable atmosphere. Camping is located in the infield campgrounds and GEICO Park West campgrounds, which include free Wi-Fi.
Prices for camping range anywhere from $429 (tent camping, 20’35’ grass site) to $2,915 (20’x55’ RV site with electric and water hookups). You can view the full list of camping options on official Daytona International Speedway website. Children 12 years old and under are free!
Fireworks, firearms, powered carts, ATVs, scooters, and unpermitted golf carts will not be permitted on the campgrounds.
Daytona International Speedway Security
Fans have stated that security is quick, attentive and friendly, which says a lot considering the huge crowds that fill the speedway every race. Other insist that the bag checking process should be more thorough, as some people are able to get away without getting their checked due to the large volume of people passing through.
Guests can bring their own food and beverage into every racing event, except for the hospitality areas. They are also allowed to leave and re-enter by showing a valid ticket or credential.
If you’re bringing a soft side bag or cooler, it must be no larger than 14 x 14 x 14 inches. They can be packed with ice cubes or ice packs but not dry ice.
If you’re bringing a backpack or duffle, it must be no larger than 17 inches in length and can be solid or clear.
Flags are allowed if they don’t obstruct other people’s views during the race. Flag poles aren’t allowed; you must use pencil-sized wooden sticks.
Daytona International Speedway Prohibited Items:
- Weapons and all other items restricted by Local, State or Federal laws.
- Fireworks, laser pointers, noise makers, and air horns.
- Umbrellas, flag poles, brooms or any items of a similar description
- Hard sided coolers (Styrofoam, plastic, metal, etc.)
- Glass or ceramic of any kind
- Tripods and monopods that are either solid or collapsible, selfie sticks
- Illegal substances of any kind
- Seat cushions with metal components
- Collapsible chairs
- Drones - UAV's, RPA's, or UAS's
- Frisbees, balloons, beach balls, or any other projectile
- Hoverboards, skateboards, roller skates, or bicycles
- Clothing with offensive language
Daytona International Speedway Seating
Visitors have stated that the seats are comfortable enough that a pad isn’t necessary, and they conveniently come with cup holders. It still has a relatively new feel, so the bleacher-style seating of other racetracks isn’t a thing here . Instead, the seats are modern with plenty of breathing room. The aisles are also wider than they were before renovations.
Guests have a good view of the track from any seat in the stadium, except for some fencing and part of a jumbotron blocking a few areas. However, no blind spots!
There are concourses and escalators that can take you as far up as the very top level of seating, improving the efficiency of getting to your seat amongst the crowds. This also comes in handy for handicaps.
The seats are also within easy access to several restrooms and concessions.
Reviews have also stated that the sound quality of the could be better as they sound muffled and are not very loud. However, the two giant jumbotrons make up for any lack of view or sound in the speedway.
Food & Concessions At Daytona International Speedway
Concessions areas are plenty and are spacious, so they never feel overcrowded. Visitors have stated that they are pleased with the concessions process and the clean, large bathrooms which assure that lines are never long, if existent.
In fact, Daytona now has three times as many food and beverage stands than it has had in the past. If you need a sip of water, there are also water fountains located throughout the concourses for your convenience.
If you download the DIS Mobile App, you’ll be able to explore all of the concessions options at the speedway as well as directions and a map on how to get there.
Food options vary by race, but popular ones include Papa John’s pizza, Juicy’s Outlaw Grill (the world’s largest grill), Boardwalk French Fries, and the Daytona Speedway Dog – a 1/3 pound all beef hot dog.
Prices are on the pricey side, but this is to be expected. The quality has been reported to be average to pretty darn tasty – so we’d recommend indulging a bit if you want the full Daytona International Speedway Experience.
10 Closest Hotels to Daytona International Speedway
Courtyard by Marriott Daytona Beach Speedway/Airport
1605 Richard Petty Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32114
0.5 miles
Holiday Inn Express Daytona Beach – Speedway
90 Professional Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32114
0.6 miles
Best Western International Speedway Hotel
2620 W International Speedway Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32114
0.9 miles
La Quinta Inn Daytona Beach/International Speedway
2725 W International Speedway Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32114
0.9 miles
Hilton Garden Inn Daytona Beach Airport
189 Midway Ave, Daytona Beach, FL 32114
2.5 miles
Homewood Suites by Hilton Daytona Beach Speedway-Airport
165 Bill France Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32114
2.8 miles
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Daytona Beach Speedway/Airport
1820 Checkered Flag Boulevard, Daytona Beach, FL 32114
3.1 miles
Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort
100 N Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach, FL 32118
4.6 miles
Nautilus Inn
1515 S Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach, FL 32118
5.1 miles
American Inn
1305 S Ridgewood Ave, Daytona Beach, FL 32114
5.2 miles
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