Daytona Beach, a sometimes quiet and sometimes loud destination on Florida’s East Coast, roars to life with a series of big-time events to start 2024.
The city is off to the races, starting with the Rolex 24 at Daytona, one of the world’s top sports car endurance races. It is right up there with Le Mans. On the heels of that is the Super Bowl of stock car racing, NASCAR’s Daytona 500. And after that it’s Bike Week and more.
Here’s the schedule for the winter racing season in Daytona Beach.
The 62nd Rolex 24 At Daytona, which is the start of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season, is Jan. 27-28. The twice-around-the-clock challenge will feature pre-race grid access, the popular Ferris Wheel and fireworks, autograph sessions, live entertainment and displays from the top manufacturers. The weekend also includes the Taste of the 24 on Jan. 27 where fans can enjoy food from the area’s finest restaurants without missing any of the non-stop racing action.
Stock cars take center stage for the 66th annual DAYTONA 500 on Sunday, Feb. 18. Leading up to the race are a series of preliminary races:
- The DAYTONA 500 Qualifying Presented by Busch Light on February 14
- The Bluegreen Vacations Duel at DAYTONA qualifying races on February 15
- The Fresh From Florida 250 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race on February 16
- The United Rentals 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series race & the ARCA Menards Series race on February 17
Motorcycles will cap off the racing action in March as part of Daytona Beach Bike Week. The 54th annual DAYTONA Supercross will take place on March 2 and will be Florida’s only AMA Supercross event of the season. The course will once again be designed by legendary five-time Daytona Supercross champion Ricky Carmichael.
Progressive American Flat Track will kick off its season at the Flat Track at Daytona International Speedway on back-to-back nights on Thursday, March 7 and Friday, March 8 with the DAYTONA Short Track I & II. The historic DAYTONA 200 will bring high-speed racing to the storied road course on March 7-9
In addition to the racing action at Daytona International Speedway, the short-track action will be buzzing as well with events scheduled at both New Smyrna Speedway and Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville.
For more information about racing events, go to Daytona International Speedway (www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com), Volusia Speedway Park (volusiaspeedwaypark.com) and New Smyrna Speedway (www.newmyrnaspeedway.org).
For a lodging availability list go to www.daytonabeach.com.