Racing Thrills in Greater Daytona Beach: What To See and When To Go
You’ve probably heard of the Daytona 500, NASCAR’s biggest event of the year, held every February in Daytona Beach. But did you know there’s more to the region’s motorsports legacy than this iconic race?
Nicknamed the “World Center of Racing,” Daytona Beach boasts not only the Daytona International Speedway and its high-octane thrills but also racing-themed restaurants, exhibits, parks, art and more.
Spend some time exploring, and you’ll find the roots of American motorsports run deep along these pristine shores.
In This Article
How Racing Began in Daytona Beach
Automobile racing started gaining traction in America around the turn of the last century. It was a time when roads weren’t all that reliable, but fortunately, some early racing enthusiasts discovered that the packed sands of Ormond Beach were an ideal substitute. (And the beautiful weather and miles of scenic coastline probably didn’t hurt either when it came to drawing crowds).
The first recorded race was held outside the Hotel Ormond in March 1903. Alexander Winton, a car manufacturer racing in his own Bullet #1, set a world record for land speed by a fraction of a second. And that was that — racing history was made, and more events were soon followed in and around Ormond Beach.
Then, in 1947, one Bill France, a Daytona Beach local, changed the sport forever when he founded the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) in his hometown. Twelve years later, the Daytona International Speedway opened here, cementing Daytona Beach as the epicenter for all things auto racing.
Beyond the Daytona 500: A Year-Round Racing Calendar
The start of the year in Greater Daytona Beach is packed with races and related events. Collectively, they’re called Speedweeks, and they draw thousands of fans from around the globe.
Kicking things off in January is the Roar Before The Rolex 24, the three-day test run that precedes The Rolex 24 At Daytona. The race includes activities for spectators like a Ferris wheel, fireworks, car displays, live music, autographs and the popular Taste of the 24, showcasing the area’s top restaurants.
February brings the supporting races and qualifiers leading up to the Daytona 500. You’ll want to get tickets early if you plan to attend the Daytona 500 NASCAR Cup Series season opener, slated for Feb. 16, 2025.
Then in March, motorcycles get in on the high-speed action with the Daytona Supercross, the Daytona 200, and the Progressive American Flat Track. And toward the end of the NASCAR season in August, there’s another thrilling car race, the Coke Zero Sugar 400.
But that’s not all. New Smyrna Speedway and Volusia Speedway Park both host races year-round, such as the Karting Season Finale in September and the Governor’s Cup 200 in November.
In short, if you want to see a race, you’ve got options.
Explore the Motorsports Trail: A Journey Through Racing History
Not in town for a race? Take the Motorsports Trail, a self-guided journey through 15 sites that figure into Greater Daytona Beach’s rich racing history.
The first stop, fittingly, is the Birthplace of Speed Park in Ormond Beach, where that first race was held back in 1903. Other stops include the Living Legends of Auto Racing Memorial Brick Walk of Fame, a memorial in Daytona Beach Shores, and the Halifax Historical Museum, where The Racing Zone exhibit pays homage to the pioneers of car racing.
Of course, true fans can’t miss the Daytona International Speedway, nodding to the statue of Dale Earnhardt as you enter the ticket building. They offer tours year-round that include admission to the Motorsports Hall of Fame, a 20,000-square-foot museum celebrating motorsports in all its forms — stock cars, sports cars, motorcycles, drag racing, open-wheel, powerboating and even aviation. You’ll see Dale Earnhardt’s car, Jeremy McGrath’s Supercross motorcycle, the most recent winning Daytona 500 car and much more.
Racing Restaurants in Greater Daytona Beach
Don’t worry about getting hungry from all that sightseeing. There are plenty of places to eat along the way, serving up not just burgers, brats and BBQ but also some serious NASCAR nostalgia.
Across from the Daytona International Speedway, The Daytona, a four-star Marriott hotel, is home to the Blue Flame and Sir Malcolm, offering upscale cuisine in a sleek setting accented by historic motorcycles and cars. One of these is a replica Blue Bird, a model Sir Malcolm Campbell drove to break multiple world records, including a staggering 206.96 mph in 1928.
Ormond Garage is another must-visit. Just down the street from where its namesake once stood, the craft brewery honors Ormond Beach’s racing roots with memorabilia inside and a massive mural on the patio showing a racing scene from 1904. The original Ormond Garage, built in 1904 but burned down in the 1970s, used to house drivers, mechanics and cars during the races, as you can learn from the historical marker there today.
Here are a few more restaurants to check out.
- Brickyard Lounge & Grill: Off International Speedway Boulevard, this sports bar is covered in newspaper clippings and photos of drivers, and they’ve been serving some of the best burgers in town for over 30 years.
- Victory Lane: Treat yourself to a fancy dinner, cocktails on the rooftop, or weekend brunch inside the art deco Streamline Hotel, the 1940s landmark where NASCAR was born.
- Racing’s North Turn: This Ponce Inlet bar and grill says it all in the name. They offer waterfront views where beach racing began (there’s a plaque here to memorialize it) and NASCAR exhibits in their mini museum.
- Cruisin’ Café: Possibly the most unique spot on this list, the cafe is where you can have lunch in a racecar with seating and tables roomy enough for eight. And why not become a legend yourself? Simply finish their two-pound, onion-ring-topped burger, and you’ll get your name immortalized on the Cruisin Cup Trophy.