Daytona Dreams

Kevin Harvick, after winning the Coke Zero 400 last month, set the tone for what was to come when he said in victory lane; "I don't care so much about the trophy; I want some of the pavement from the start/finish line..." Harvick went on to say from Victory Lane, "This race track obviously is the most historic racetrack that we race on, and I think if that asphalt could talk, you can go back and look at all the stories. Any time you can win, though, whether it's new asphalt or old asphalt, it's always going to be the baddest place to win, and that's Daytona."

Immediately after the end of the 2010 Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway workers started swarming over NASCAR's most famous racetrack. For the first time in Daytona’s fifty plus years, the old racing surface is being completely removed and replaced (In 1978 a fresh layer of asphalt was laid down on top of the existing track). This is a pictorial of the process one month in.

First, the perimeter light poles, safety fencing and safer barriers had to come down.

Then the fun began as the old asphalt was ripped up and hauled away to what I suppose is someplace like a Fort Knox. I say that based on the fact that the old, historic track surface is going to be marketed to the general public. This work is taking the surface out, completely down to the original lime/rock base.

If you’re interested in picking up a piece of NASCAR’s history, go to this site and check into it: http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/

I’m not sure what they plan on asking for a piece of asphalt but with Jostens (yes the yearbook and class ring people) it probably will be pricey…

Wouldn’t ya know it! Gene Haddock’s close friend, DW, along with his little brother were there to lend a hand and help out on the removal job. (Good Ol' DW...)

HEY! Put that back Mikey!

(You do have to hand it to those Waltrip brothers. They always seem ready to show up and help promote the sport that made them famous.)

With the old track surface removed, the soil base will be carefully laid back out and re-compacted then a four-layer repaving process will be carried out. This is a cross section of what the new track surface will be:

Here’s a peek at the repaving equipment at work:

How'd you like to run up and down that banking?

As precise as this initial layer (drainage) work appears, I’m going to venture to say that each subsequent layer will receive ever higher levels of precision. We hear the drivers talk out of both sides of their mouth concerning the old surface. Some hated the bumpiness while others welcomed racing on it saying the bumpiness gave Daytona uniqueness found nowhere else. Well boys, I’ve found in my life that although most people don’t like change, that is one of the few things that's inevitable. It’s my opinion that this new surface will take the quality of racing to a whole new level.

A job this size requires an on-site asphalt cooker!

As the repaving process continues fans can still tour the Daytona International Speedway, notice the tour trams in the foreground:

So why the estimated $22 million job? (This has been added to satisfy CR) Remember last February's 500? It's all Fox Sports' fault!

There he is! Get 'em!

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January 1st is the completion date at which point 33 acres of new pavement will have been precisely laid out on NASCAR’s premier racing facility. Recently Jamie McMurray and Chip Ganassi unveiled the 2011 Daytona 500 logo.

I can’t wait!

Resources:
http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2010/07/06/daytona-to-mine-asphalt-for-gold/
http://www.roadracerx.com/breaking-news/daytona-international-speedway-to-repave/
http://www.cfnews13.com/article/news/2010/july/121009/Waltrip-brothers-help-repave-speedway
http://www.examiner.com/x-9182-Motorsports-Examiner~y2010m5d1-FYI-WIRZ-Earnhardt-Jr-in-No-3-Daytona-over-old-track