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History
Brief History of "The
Birthplace of Speed" Daytona Beach’s
breathtaking expanse of sand, like the rest of Florida, was
first claimed by Spanish explorers in the 1500s, but it was not until 1835 that Mathias
Day of Manfield, Ohio, founded the first permanent settlement in the
area. The residents who incorporated the town of Daytona in 1876 honored Day by
adapting his name. The city of Daytona Beach, a merger of several local
communities, was formed 40 years later.
Ormond Beach, just north of Daytona is known as the "Birthplace of Speed" because of the pioneering auto enthusiasts who would race their cars on the hard packed sand, along the ocean! The newly formed Florida East Coast Automobile Association built a clubhouse at the Silver Beach approach, and this became the starting point for the runs headed northward. Succeeding years saw an influx of millionaires such as William K. Vanderbilt Jr. and Henry Ford. The course was expanded to include a run all the way to Ponce Inlet and back to Ormond Beach. The land speed record was
smashed five times by the British millionaire Malcolm Campbell
who, in 1935, roared along at 276.8 mph!
The motor mania
moved off the sands, when high speeds made racing on the sands
unsafe. In
1959
Daytona International
Speedway, was built three miles west of downtown
along International Speedway Boulevard!
Today, the
speedway is home to the Daytona 500 and the corporate
headquarters of NASCAR, the major league of stock car racing.
While you're at the
speedway, visit "The
Daytona 500 Experience", "The Official Attraction of NASCAR," - its an
interactive motorsports attraction, which has been
delivering magical motorsports memories to both hard-core
race fans and casual observers through hands-on activities,
challenging thrills and one-of-a-kind sights. Don't miss the
The Coca-Cola IMAX Theatre, where you can experience a
45-minute,3-D film that takes fans inside the world of
NASCAR's elite drivers and teams! From inside the
garages to amazing on-track footage, fans will have a new
perspective on the fastest growing sports in America! If you would like to read more in-depth information about the history of Daytona Beach, make sure to check out The Legacy of Speed. Follow the navigation links on the right once you get there!
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