Motorsports History at Daytona Beach

Motorsports are woven into the fabric of the Daytona Beach area. From early land-speed records on the beach to today’s high-speed action at Daytona International Speedway, racing remains a defining part of the destination.

Built by Bill France Sr. in 1959, Daytona International Speedway is home to the prestigious DAYTONA 500 and a year-round lineup of motorsports events. NASCAR, the stock car sanctioning body, was founded in Daytona Beach in 1948 at the Streamline Hotel, which continues to welcome guests and features two restaurants.

Before there was racing at Daytona International Speedway, cars got their start on the beaches of the Daytona Beach area. In the early 1900s, Ormond Beach earned its nickname “The Birthplace of Speed” as legendary drivers including Sir Malcolm Campbell, Sir Henry Segrave and Barney Oldfield set land-speed records along its beaches. Racing later evolved into stock car and motorcycle competitions on the Daytona Beach Road Course in what is now Ponce Inlet.

Visitors can experience the area’s racing heritage beyond the track, too, with a variety of motorsports-themed restaurants offering great food and a taste of Daytona Beach’s legendary racing culture.