Just read a story in the Daytona paper posted this morning, along with artist renderings, of proposed multi-million dollar changes and additions to Daytona Speedway's grandstands (including a 4th level and closing of lower levels) and entrances. The Speedway is even making plans for casino gambling on the property, if and when Florida legalizes it. I wouldn't be surprised to suddenly find out the Speedway is on Indian land if that's what it takes to get the casinos there!

I have used my allotted number of free views for this 30-day period of the Daytona paper without subscribing.

If someone wants to post the story and artist's renderings, here is the link:

http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20130122/NASCAR/130129941/1040?Title=Speedway-proposes-new-grandstand-suites-entrances

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"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"
updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:04:08PM

So posted.

Speedway proposes new grandstand, suites, entrances

DAYTONA BEACH The world caught a glimpse Tuesday of what Daytona International Speedway could become in the future, a vision that stacks a fourth level of seating onto the top of the nearly mile-long front stretch grandstand, adds a new structure for additional suites and creates new concourses where fans could take a break from the track.

The next chapter for the 54-year-old track could also bring improved seating, upgraded concession areas, five grand new entrances for fans and possibly the removal of low-level seating that suffers from obstructed views.

Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood unveiled conceptual renderings Tuesday afternoon that contemplate leaving the track's existing structures in place but making all those changes as part of a proposed multiyear redevelopment of the historic facility built by Bill France Sr. in the late 1950s.

"The world center of racing deserves this kind of project," Chitwood said. "We're the flagship brand for the company, for the sport. This is the birthplace of NASCAR. I think the expectations that our fans have is we have this major stadium sports field."

Chitwood revealed the images of what a revamped Daytona International Speedway could one day look like during NASCAR's annual "state of the sport" event in Charlotte, N.C., where the NASCAR Hall of Fame is located.

Brian France, NASCAR Chairman and CEO, as well as several other top NASCAR officials were also at Tuesday's event in North Carolina.

Before any improvements could be tackled, International Speedway Corporation's board of directors would have to give its approval. ISC is Daytona International Speedway's parent company. Chitwood said he doesn't expect he'll be ready to go before the board and other senior executives until later this year.

If he gets the thumbs up, he said then he could start solidifying a timetable, budget and detailed plans for improvements that could include the number of new seats to be added to the current 147,000.

Mayor Derrick Henry is among top city officials hoping everything comes together.

"I'm excited about everything they plan to do," Henry said Tuesday. "That would make the experience for the fans that much greater." He added he hopes the city can create more new development that fans can enjoy as well.

The track overhaul idea evolved over the past year following a facility audit of International Speedway Corp.'s properties across the country that included a look at what in Daytona Beach needed work, Chitwood said.

"We thought, 'What would it look like if we really invested in Daytona, not just fixed this or fixed that?' " he explained.

The idea grew to include a proposal to overhaul the 480 acres around the Speedway as well as another 180 acres of International Speedway Corp. land just north of the track on the other side of International Speedway Boulevard.

To add what it wanted to the properties, Speedway officials spent months last year working through the process at City Hall to have the land rezoned as a planned master development.

That new zoning was approved, and it allows the Speedway to build up to 2 million square feet of shops, restaurants and nightclubs; up to 1,785 hotel rooms; movie theaters with a combined maximum 5,000 seats; up to 1,600 multifamily residential units; and 950,000 square feet of industrial uses.

If it's legalized in Florida, the Speedway also wants to add casino gambling on the two sites straddling International Speedway Boulevard.

The Speedway's list of improvements it would like to make around the track include adding new metal panel screening to the exterior of the grandstands, five new track entrances that could each have a sponsor, thousands of additional seats for fans and elevators.

The Speedway is also looking at extending the pedestrian bridge over International Speedway Boulevard so it connects more directly with the track and adding hotels, shops and restaurants on the east, west and south sides of the track.

For now, the Speedway will focus mostly on the front stretch grandstands, Chitwood said.

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Schaefer: It's not just for racing anymore.

Thanks, Chase

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"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"

possibly the removal of low-level seating that suffers from obstructed views

That's what they're telling you, but more than that it's a CYA move to minimize lawsuits in case a car (or parts) goes into the stands. It's a good idea, and maybe it will allow them to take off the restrictor plates and go back to full-out racing.

That illustration can't be taken as bible, but you'll notice that there are no openings to the apron behind the fence. I wouldn't want a seat in the nosebleed section but it's probably no worse than Indianapolis.