Local

Daytona Intl. Speedway to host Battle at the Beach during Speedweeks

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Officials at the Daytona International Speedway gave WFTV more details about a smaller track inside the speedway that will be used for a new event called "Battle at the Beach" that will be held during Speedweeks in February.

The event will fill in two days during Speedweeks when there are no events at the Speedway.  And even though short-track racing is already held at another track during the same week, locals are still excited about it.

Battle of the Beach will feature three races for up-and-coming drivers.  WFTV’s Blaine Tolison took a pace car ride around the new layout for Daytona's four-tenths-of-a-mile track on the back stretch.

Track officials said the track will mean more revenue from Speedweeks, which already brings in about $300 million each year to the local economy.

But short-track racing is nothing new to Volusia County. The New Smyrna Speedway off State Road 44 is a half-mile oval track.

The general manager there said he thinks the new Daytona race will be good for races held in New Smyrna in the same week.

“During the month of February and Speedweeks, everybody wants to be in Daytona and with our track located about 10 minutes south, you know, it's a great benefit to us," he said.

The speedway believes it will be a huge benefit, and the number of fans it expects to draw is in the thousands.

So far, the 175 teams coming to race have a deal worked out with 19 hotels in the area that will offer special rates.