# Canonical recap data for Daytona International Speedway Opens (1959)
# Source: https://recap.at/1959/daytona-speedway-opens
# Format: YAML 1.2 (UTF-8). Generated at request time.
slug: daytona-speedway-opens
canonicalUrl: "https://recap.at/1959/daytona-speedway-opens"
title: Daytona International Speedway Opens
subtitle: Daytona's opening revolutionized American motorsports with its high-banked oval design and hosted the first Daytona 500, becoming stock-car racing's signature event.
recapType: global_event
eventStatus: concluded
startDate: 1959-01-01
datePrecision: year
year: 1959
decade: 1950
country:
name: United States
slug: united-states
summaryShort: Daytona International Speedway is a race track in Daytona Beach, Florida, United States, about 50 mi (80 km) north of Orlando. Since opening in 1959, it has been the home of the Daytona 500, the most prestigious race in NASCAR as well as its season opening event. The venue also hosts the 24 Hours of Daytona, one of thr
summaryLong: Daytona International Speedway is a race track in Daytona Beach, Florida, United States, about 50 mi (80 km) north of Orlando. Since opening in 1959, it has been the home of the Daytona 500, the most prestigious race in NASCAR as well as its season opening event. The venue also hosts the 24 Hours of Daytona, one of three races that make up the Triple Crown of endurance racing. In addition to NASCAR and IMSA, the track also hosts races of ARCA, AMA Superbike Championship, SCCA, and AMA Supercross Championship. The track features multiple layouts including the primary 2.500 mi (4.023 km) high-speed tri-oval, a 3.560 mi (5.729 km) sports car course, a 3.510 mi (5.649 km)motorcycle course, and a 1,320 ft (400 m) karting and motorcycle flat-track. The track's 180 acres (73 ha) infield includes the 29 acres (12 ha) Lake Lloyd, which has hosted powerboat racing.
heroImageUrl: "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a0/Daytona_International_Speedway_2024.svg/1280px-Daytona_International_Speedway_2024.svg.png"
heroImageCredit: Wikipedia · "Daytona International Speedway"
importance: 72
sourceConfidence: 75
keyFacts: []
timeline: []
sources:
- url: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daytona_International_Speedway"
  title: Daytona International Speedway
  provider: Wikipedia
related: []
categories:
- sports
- tech-launch
metaDescription: Daytona International Speedway is a race track in Daytona Beach, Florida, United States, about 50 mi (80 km) north of Orlando. Since opening in 1959, it has bee
wikidataQid: Q1179250
archiveSnapshots:
- url: "https://web.archive.org/web/20260630220632/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daytona_International_Speedway"
  capturedAt: 2026-06-30
  label: Daytona International Speedway
  originalUrl: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daytona_International_Speedway"
