Speedweeks
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Daytona Speedweeks presented by AdventHealth was a series of racing events that took place during January and February at 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. There is also a Monster Jam event held at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida.
January
Through 2014, Speedweeks informally kicked off in early January with off-season testing at Daytona. The NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series regularly conducted annual preseason tests on the 2.5 mi (4.0 km) oval, under the moniker "Preseason Thunder". For 2015, the January test sessions were cancelled as part of NASCAR's overall ban on private testing.[1]
Also in early January, the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship conducts a test session on the Daytona road course, in preparations for the Rolex 24. It is nicknamed the "Roar Before the 24."[2]
24 Hours of Daytona
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 and the weekend of the Pro 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
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 and the increased number of spectators.
Up until 2021, stock car action would begin as early as 10 days before the Daytona 500 with practice sessions, qualifying sessions and races, support series races, exhibition races, and other events. Starting in 2021, there will be a radical departure from the past and consolidation down to a single "Speedweek" of stock car action. [3]
Monday
- NASCAR Cup Series practice for the Busch Clash (evening)
Tuesday
- NASCAR Cup Series Busch Clash, which starting in 2021 will move to the 3.56-mile road course (evening)
Wednesday
- NASCAR Cup Series practice for the Daytona 500 (day)
- NASCAR Cup Series Pole qualifying for the Daytona 500 (evening)
Thursday
- NASCAR Truck Series practice (day)
- ARCA Menards Series practice (day)
- NASCAR Xfinity Series Practice (day)
- NASCAR Cup Series Bluegreen Vacations Duel races (evening)
Friday
- NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 practice (midday)
- ARCA Menards Series Lucas Oil 200 qualifying (afternoon)
- NASCAR Truck Series Qualifying (afternoon)
- NASCAR Xfinity Series Qualifying (late afternoon)
- NASCAR Truck Series NextEra Energy 250 race (evening)
Saturday
- NASCAR Cup Series Final practice for Daytona 500 (morning)
- ARCA Menards Series Lucas Oil 200 race (noon)
- NASCAR Xfinity Series NASCAR Racing Experience 300 race (late afternoon-evening)
Sunday
- Daytona 500 (start in mid-afternoon, finish shortly after sunset)
History
In 2004, the Hershey Kisses 300 was stopped on Saturday for rain. The race couldn't continue on Sunday due to the 46th running of the Daytona 500. The race was completed on Monday, with Dale Earnhardt, Jr. winning both the Busch Series race and Cup race in the same weekend.
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.
In 2012, the Daytona 500 was postponed for the first time in race history.
In 2013, Budweiser became title sponsor of Speedweeks. [4]
Starting with the 2019 season, AdventHealth replaced Budweiser as the official sponsor of Speedweeks in a multi-year agreement.[5]
Former names
Former events during Speedweeks
- 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)
- UNOH Battle at the Beach (held Monday & Tuesday prior to the Daytona 500, discontinued after grandstands used for the event were torn down)
See also
References
- ^ NASCAR’s testing ban will include Daytona’s Preseason Thunder
- ^ Roar Before the Rolex 24 to move back a week in 2015
- ^ https://www.news-journalonline.com/sports/20200304/nascar-daytona-shake-up-2021-speedweeks-schedule
- ^ Newton, David (February 24, 2012). "Next year's Daytona 500 is Feb. 24". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
- ^ "Daytona announces official sponsor for Daytona Speedweeks". NASCAR. October 8, 2018. Retrieved October 8, 2018.