View of new and steeply banked seating at the Daytona International Speedway. [Joe Jennings Photo]
ISC chairman Jim France and CEO Lesa France Kennedy cut the ceremonial ribbon with over-sized scissors. [Joe Jennings Photo]
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Thirty months after breaking ground on the $400 million “Daytona Rising” project, International Speedway Corporation executives opened its new motorsports stadium during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Daytona International Speedway. ISC chairman Jim France and chief executive officer Lesa France Kennedy took part in the ceremony, which was attended by numerous involved parties. Fans on hand for this weekend’s Rolex 24 at Daytona will have the first opportunity to experience the new stadium.
“This is an incredible day for our entire organization, the motorsports industry, our partners and fans,” said Kennedy. “We’re extremely proud to begin a new chapter at the historic Daytona International Speedway.”
Lesa France Kennedy with Daytona president Joie Chitwood and Jim France. [Joe Jennings Photo]
Added DIS president Joie Chitwood, “When you look at what we did in last 50 years, the next 50 years should be twice as good, twice as big and twice as bold. We have done something else that no one else on the planet can claim. We are truly the world’s first and only motorsports stadium and when we made that bold vision 2 ½ years ago, I am proud to tell you that it is even better than we thought it was going to be.
“All of our visitors in January and February along with our television audience stump everyone as to how impressive this project has been. The Daytona International Speedway is once again the world center of racing and we’ve done something that no one else has done. This is a very gratifying moment that we are officially done.”
“Daytona Rising” is a $400 million reimagining of the Daytona International Speedway. It has five expanded and redesigned entrances, or “injectors,” that will lead fans to a series of escalators and elevators, transporting them to three different concourse levels. Each level features spacious social areas, or “neighborhoods,” along the nearly mile-long front stretch. It will seat approximately 101,500, have comfortable seats, twice as many restrooms and three times as many concession stands. In addition, DIS will feature over 60 luxury suites with trackside views and a completely revamped hospitality experience for corporate guests.