Local

Daytona 500 sells out for first time since 2008

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — A massive crowd expected at this weekend's Daytona 500 will experience a freshly upgraded speedway.
 
The "Great American Race" sold out this year for the first time since 2008. Attendance numbers and TV ratings had dipped dramatically in recent years.
 
The last official attendance announced for the race was 140,000 in 2012.
 
Officials expect 100,000 spectators in the grandstand and thousands more watching from pit road and the infield.
 
Fans told WFTV that the $400 million Daytona Rising Project is to credit for the rise in attendance.

Racing fans are first greeted by 40 elevators that will carry them into the stadium. Inside there are twice as many bathrooms and three times as many concession stands.

There are also 11 football-sized neighborhoods, equipped with 1,400 televisions and free WiFi, that provide fans protection from the weather.