Want to know the details of the DAYTONA Rising project? Listen to WFO Radio’s conversation with Joie Chitwood.
Joie Chitwood talks Daytona Rising with WFO Radio host Joe Castello. Chitwood, President of Daytona International Speedway gives important details about the completion of the $400 million dollar project that becomes the first modern stadium in NASCAR racing. Check out the photos and press release from the folks at Daytona. The interview audio is below. WFO!
Daytona International Speedway’s Historic $400 Million Project Nears Completion
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – After more than two years of redeveloping its nearly mile-long frontstretch, Daytona International Speedway’s (DIS) $400 million DAYTONA Rising project is near completion. On Tuesday, DIS received its temporary certificate of occupancy which allows us to begin moving into the facility and fully prepare for the upcoming race season. The world’s first motorsports stadium will be ready for its debut later this month at the Rolex 24 At Daytona Weekend.
Since kicking off the project in July 2013, DIS has celebrated tremendous milestones along the way including the DAYTONA Rising 500 groundbreaking ceremony, the first-ever DAYTONA Rising Escalator Duel to activate the new vertical transportation as well as the recent lighting of the massive identification sign.
“After more than two years of dedication and hard work, we’re thrilled that our new motorsports stadium is nearing completion,” said Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III. “We’re thankful for the tremendous support from our partners, project team and fans and can’t wait to welcome everyone during the Rolex 24 At Daytona.”
DIS will mark the installation of the final seat during a special ceremony on Tuesday, Jan. 19.
About DAYTONA Rising
DAYTONA Rising is a $400 million reimagining of an American icon – Daytona International Speedway. Five expanded and redesigned entrances, or “injectors,” 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 frontstretch. At the conclusion of the redevelopment, Daytona International Speedway will have approximately 101,500 permanent, wider and more comfortable seats, twice as many restrooms and three times as many concession stands. In addition, the Speedway will feature over 60 luxury suites with trackside views and a completely revamped hospitality experience for corporate guests. DAYTONA Rising: Reimagining an American Icon, expected to create 6,300 jobs, $300 million in labor income and over $85 million in tax revenue, will be completed in time for the 2016 Rolex 24 At Daytona and DAYTONA 500.
Toyota, Florida Hospital, Chevrolet and Sunoco are Founding Partners of DAYTONA Rising, joining the Speedway to help provide the very best experience for fans through more than 80,000 total square feet of engagement areas, branding rights for four of the injectors/entrances and four of the new neighborhoods.
Barton Malow is serving as the design-builder for the project. In addition to DAYTONA Rising, Barton Malow has renovated the University of Michigan “Big House” and the Rose Bowl.
ROSSETTI is the architect for DAYTONA Rising. ROSSETTI is an award-winning architectural design and planning firm with 46 years of expertise in sports and entertainment projects including the Green Bay Packers Titletown, renovations for the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field, a new headquarters for the LA Lakers, five MLS stadiums and the new retractable roof over the USTA’s Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Race fans can follow the progress of the DAYTONA Rising project by visiting www.DAYTONARising.com and connecting with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and YouTube. Also, fans can see the construction project up close by taking one of the daily tours available at the Speedway on non-event days throughout the year. Visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/tours or the Speedway Ticket and Tours Building for more information. For tickets and more information on Daytona International Speedway events, visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or call 1-800-PITSHOP.
About Daytona International Speedway
Daytona International Speedway is the home of “The Great American Race” – the DAYTONA 500. Though the season-opening NASCAR Sprint Cup event garners most of the attention – as well as the largest audience in motorsports – the approximately 500-acre motorsports complex boasts the most diverse schedule of racing on the globe, thus earning it the title of “World Center of Racing.” In addition to eight major weekends of racing activity, the Speedway will host the inaugural Country 500 – The Great American Music Fest at DAYTONA over Memorial Day Weekend in 2016. Rarely a week goes by that the Speedway grounds are not used for events that include civic and social gatherings, car shows, photo shoots, production vehicle testing and police motorcycle training.
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