Speedweeks
Budweiser Speedweeks[1] is a series of racing events that take place during January and February at the Daytona International Speedway. The events lead up to and conclude with the Daytona 500.
Nearby tracks New Smyrna Speedway and Volusia County Speedway also run special events during the period.
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January [edit]
As of 2013, Speedweeks informally kicks off in early January with off-season testing at Daytona. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series conduct annual preseason tests on the 2.5-mile oval.
Also in early January, the Grand Am series conducts a test session on the Daytona road course, in preparations for the Rolex 24.
24 Hours of Daytona [edit]
The first major event of Speedweeks is the Rolex 24. Currently it is held the final weekend of January, which is also the bye week for the Super Bowl. This weekend has been specifically chosen to avoid conflict with the Super Bowl. Events during the weekend include:
- Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge (Friday)
- Rolex 24 (Saturday-Sunday)
Daytona 500 week [edit]
Following the Rolex 24, there is no track activity for two weeks. This prevents a conflict with the Super Bowl. During this time, track officials clean the track and make final preparations for the arrival of stock cars.
The highlight of Speedweeks are the nine days leading up to and including the Daytona 500. It begins the weekend prior to the Daytona 500, and ends with the race itself. Currently the Daytona 500 is scheduled for the last Sunday in February.
Friday [edit]
- ARCA practice and qualifying
- NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice for the Sprint Unlimited
Saturday [edit]
- Sprint Cup practice for the Daytona 500
- ARCA Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 race
- Sprint Cup Sprint Unlimited exhibition race
Sunday [edit]
- Sprint Cup Pole qualifying for the Daytona 500
Monday & Tuesday [edit]
Wednesday [edit]
- Sprint Cup practice for the Gatorade Duel
- Nationwide Series practice
- Camping World Truck Series practice
Thursday [edit]
- Truck Series practice and qualifying
- Sprint Cup Budweiser Duel[1] races
Friday [edit]
- Sprint Cup Daytona 500 practice
- Nationwide Series qualifying
- Truck Series NextEra Energy Resources 250 race
Saturday [edit]
- Sprint Cup Final practice for Daytona 500
- Nationwide Series DRIVE4COPD 300 race
Sunday [edit]
History [edit]
In 2005, a 5K run was added to the Speedweeks schedule, as part of the Rolex 24.
In 2007, the IndyCar Series hosted an open test on the road course configuration during the week after the Rolex 24. No race was scheduled, however.
Former names [edit]
Former events during Speedweeks [edit]
- International Race of Champions (usually held on Friday)
- Daytona 500 consolation race
- NASCAR Dash Series Daytona 200 (usually held the same day as the Busch Clash)
See also [edit]
References [edit]
- ^ a b Newton, David (February 24, 2012). "Next year's Daytona 500 is Feb. 24". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
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