Daytona Beach Road Course was a race track that was instrumental in the formation of NASCAR. It originally became famous as the location where fifteen world land speed records were set. A Daytona Beach Bar Daytona Beach is a city located in Volusia County, Florida, USA. As of 2004, the population estimates recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 64,422. ... Official language(s) English Capital Tallahassee Largest city Jacksonville Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 22nd 170 451 km² 260 km 800 km 17. ... 1902 (MCMII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the largest sanctioning body of motorsports in the United States. ... 1970 land speed record being set at Bonneville Salt Flats by Gary Gabelich Land Speed Records from 1898 The information below is for self-propelled wheeled vehicles travelling over open ground. ...

World speed records

Daytona Beach's wide beach and smoothly packed sands at low tide were opened to drivers for many years. The beach was used for the high-speed testing and racing of motorcycles and the newfangled “horseless carriages”. This made the beach a mecca for racing enthusiasts. Fans enjoyed watching the events while standing on grass covered sand dunes a short distance on-shore. A Daytona Beach Bar Daytona Beach is a city located in Volusia County, Florida, USA. As of 2004, the population estimates recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 64,422. ... Sands has several uses: Buildings Sands Hotel a closed hotel/casino in Las Vegas, Nevada Las Vegas Sands a casino development company Sands Macau a casino in Macau Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada People Sands was a Bondage model Bobby Sands was an Irish republican who... The tide is the regular rising and falling of the oceans surface caused by changes in gravitational forces external to the Earth. ... The automotive Brass Era is the first period of automotive manufacturing, named for the prominent brass fittings used during this time for such things as lights and radiators. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ...

John D. Rockefeller wintered in Ormond Beach, Florida. Other rich playboys came to Ormond Beach to hobnob with the elite, hang out at the beaches, and to show off their sporty cars. 1917 painting by John Singer Sargent. ... Ormond Beach is a city located in Volusia County, Florida. ...

The demolished "Rocket" Stanley Steamer (1907), Courtesy Florida Photographic Collection

The first timed run on the beach was a solo run by Ransom E. Olds. In 1902, rich automobile pioneers Olds (Oldsmobile and REO Motor Car Company founder) and Alexander Winton (Winton Motor Carriage Company) staged an unofficial event at nearby Ormond Beach. Winton beat Olds by only 0.2 seconds. The first organized event was sanctioned and timed by the American Automobile Association in 1903. The weeklong "Winter Carnival" event was organized by the Ormond Hotel. The top speed was 68.198 miles per hour (mph). The 1923 Stanley Steam Car The Stanley Steamer was a steam-powered automobile produced by the Stanley Steamer Company which set the world land speed record at 127. ... Ransom Eli Olds (June 3, 1864–August 26, 1950) was a pioneer of American automobile industry. ... The final Oldsmobile Logo, an update of the Rocket theme used in various forms since 1948, debuted in the mid-1990s until the final Olds rolled off the line in 2004. ... REO could mean: Real estate owned, a real estate term REO Speedwagon, a band Reo Motor Car Co. ... The Winton Motor Carriage Company of Cleveland, Ohio was a pioneer United States automobile manufacturer. ... Ormond Beach is a city located in Volusia County, Florida. ... The AAA logo The AAA (usually read triple-A, or sometimes three As), formerly known as the American Automobile Association, is an American not-for-profit automobile advocacy and service organization. ...

The beach portion of the course became famous as the premier location to attempt to set the land speed record. The sanctioning body built a clubhouse in 1905 which was just over the line in Daytona Beach, so newspapers credited Daytona Beach as hosting the races. At least thirteen organized events were held between 1905 and 1935, and Daytona Beach quickly became synonymous with speed.

Fifteen land speed records were set at the site between January 24, 1905 and March 7, 1935. Drivers to set records at Daytona include Arthur MacDonald, Ralph DePalma, Henry Segrave, Ray Keech, and Sir Malcolm Campbell who set the last record of 276.82 mph. In 1935, drivers began using the more consistent surface of the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. The 500 feet wide beach at Daytona was too narrow to accommodate the higher speeds. Ralph DePalma (January 23, 1884 – March 31, 1956) was an Italian-American racecar driving champion. ... Ray Keech (May 1900 - 19??) was a board track and brick track racer in the 1920s and 1930s. ... Sir Malcolm Campbell (born March 11, 1885 in Chislehurst, Kent, England - died December 31, 1948) was a racing motorist and motoring journalist. ... Bonneville Salt Flats The Bonneville Salt Flats are a 121 km² (47 mi²) salt flat in northwestern Utah. ... Official language(s) English Capital Salt Lake City Largest city Salt Lake City Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 13th 219,887 km² 435 km 565 km 3. ...

Deaths

Frank Lockhart in his Stutz Black Hawk (1928), Courtesy Florida Photographic Collection

Frank Lockhart won the 1926 Indianapolis 500 in his first race on a paved track. Lockhart regularly set records at every track he went to, so he decided to attempt a new land speed record. He set a new record of 174 mph with one of his 91 cubic inch engines at Muroc Dry Lakes. He decided to install both of his 91 cubic inch engines to make an attempt for the 122 to 183 cubic inch record. On April 25, 1928, he easily broke the existing record by running 198.29 mph. On his return run he blew a tire on a sharp object and his Stutz-built "Blackhawk Special" flew in the air, killing Lockhart. Image File history File links N041944a. ... Image File history File links N041944a. ... The Stutz Motor Company, later reborn as Stutz Motor Car of America, was a producer of luxury cars. ... Indianapolis 500, 1994 The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, frequently shortened to Indianapolis 500 or Indy 500, is an American automobile race held annually over the Memorial Day weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana. ... The Stutz Motor Company, later reborn as Stutz Motor Car of America, was a producer of luxury cars. ...

Three engine Triplex (1929), Courtesy Florida Photographic Collection

On March 11, 1929, Henry Segrave set the world speed record at 231.44 mph, beating Ray Keech’s record set in 1928 in the Triplex. Triplex, its owner J. M. White, and Keech were on hand. White approached Keech to make an attempt to get the record back, but Keech declined. White found Daytonan Lee Bible to attempt to break the new record in the Triplex. Bible took practice runs and then a run for the record. Something went wrong in his second attempt, and the 1500 horsepower Triplex swerved. The machine rolled, throwing Bible to his death. The Triplex then flew into cameraman Charles Traub, who died instantly too. Ray Keech (May 1900 - 19??) was a board track and brick track racer in the 1920s and 1930s. ...

Beach & road course

Track layout

The course started at the north turn on the pavement of highway A1A (at 4511 South Atlantic Avenue where a restaurant now stands), went south two miles on A1A (parallel to the ocean) to the end of the road, where the drivers accessed the beach at the Beach Street approach (the south turn), went two miles north on the sandy beach surface, and turned away from the beach at the north turn. The lap length in early events was 3.2 miles, and it was lengthened to 4.2 miles in the late 1940s. Most of Florida State Road A1A runs along the Atlantic Ocean, with sections from Key West at the southern tip of Florida, to Fernandina Beach, just south of Georgia. ...

Early events

The field racing into the north turn in 1952, Courtesy Florida Photographic Collection

Washington D.C. resident Bill France Sr. was familiar with the history of Daytona. He moved to Daytona in 1935 to escape the Great Depression. He set up a car repair shop in Daytona. On March 8, 1936, the first stock car race was held on the beach. France finished fifth in the event. France took over the job of running the course in 1938. Aerial photo (looking NW) of the Washington Monument and the White House in Washington, DC. Washington, D.C., officially the District of Columbia (also known as D.C.; Washington; the Nations Capital; the District; and, historically, the Federal City) is the capital city and administrative district of the United... Dorothea Langes Migrant Mother depicts destitute pea pickers in California, centering on Florence Owens Thompson, a mother of seven children, age twenty-nine, in Nipomo, California, March 1936. ... March 8 is the 67th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (68th in Leap years). ... 1936 (MCMXXXVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... This article is about the sport of stock car racing. ...

Lloyd Seay finished fourth in the July 27, 1941 event after rolling twice. He returned on August 24th that year to win the event. He was killed by a family member in a dispute over the family moonshine business.

World War II consumed America in the early 1940s, and most racing stopped until after the war. Car racing returned to the track in 1946. Combatants Allies: • Poland, • UK & Commonwealth, • France/Free France, • Soviet Union, • USA, • China, ...and others• Axis: • Germany, • Italy, • Japan, • ...and others Casualties Military dead: 17 million Civilian dead: 33 million Total: 50 million Full list Military dead: 8 million Civilian dead: 4 million Total: 12 million Full list World War II...

NASCAR formation

France knew that promoters needed to organize their efforts. Drivers were frequently victimized by unscrupulous promoters who would leave events with all the money before drivers were paid. On December 14, 1947 France began talks at the Ebony Bar at the Streamline Hotel at Daytona Beach, Florida that ended with the formation of NASCAR on February 21, 1948. The Daytona Beach Road Course hosted the premiere event of the fledgling series until Darlington Speedway was completed in 1950. December 14 is the 348th day of the year (349th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1947 calendar). ... A Daytona Beach Bar Daytona Beach is a city located in Volusia County, Florida, USA. As of 2004, the population estimates recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 64,422. ... February 21 is the 52nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1948 calendar). ... Darlington Raceway is a race track built for NASCAR racing located near Darlington, South Carolina. ...

Cars racing down A1A at the 1956 race, courtesy Florida Photographic Collection

NASCAR held a Modified division race at the track on February 15, 1948. Red Byron beat Marshall Teague. NASCAR had several divisions in its early years. Robert Red Byron (March 12, 1915 - November 11, 1960) was a NASCAR driver who was successful as the series began. ... Marshall Teague (February 17, 1922 - February 11, 1959) was an American race car driver. ...

NASCAR race results

1949

The first NASCAR Strictly Stock (now NEXTEL Cup) race was held in 1949 at the Charlotte Speedway. The second race on the series schedule was held at Daytona Beach. 28 cars raced, including Curtis Turner, Buck Baker, Bob Flock, Fonty Flock, Marshall Teague, Herb Thomas, and second place finisher Tim Flock. Red Byron won for his fourth win at the track in the decade. Byron went on to win the series’ first championship in his 1949 Oldsmobile. NASCAR Nextel Cup logo The NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series is NASCARs top racing series. ... Curtis Turner was an early figure in NASCAR racing. ... Elzie Wylie Buck Baker Sr. ... Marshall Teague (February 17, 1922 - February 11, 1959) was an American race car driver. ... Herbert Watson Thomas (April 6, 1923–August 9, 2000) was a NASCAR pioneer who was one of the series most successful drivers in the 1950s. ... Tim Flock was one of NASCARs early pioneers. ... Robert Red Byron (March 12, 1915 - November 11, 1960) was a NASCAR driver who was successful as the series began. ... The final Oldsmobile Logo, an update of the Rocket theme used in various forms since 1948, debuted in the mid-1990s until the final Olds rolled off the line in 2004. ...

1950

A car rolling during the 1952 race, Courtesy Florida Photographic Collection

The Strictly Stock series was renamed the Grand National Series. Harold Kite won the race in a 1949 Lincoln. He took the lead on lap 25 when Red Byron pitted with gear shift problems. Kite led the rest of the way. Byron surged from seventh to finish second. // The now widespread name Lincoln originated in a city in eastern England. ...

1951

Marshall Teague glided his 1951 Fabulous Hudson Hornet into victory lane for his first career victory. He beat Tim Flock by 1 minute and 14 seconds. Marshall Teague (February 17, 1922 - February 11, 1959) was an American race car driver. ... Hudson refers to: Persons named Hudson Brett Hudson (1953–), American musician, singer, and songwriter, one of the Hudson Brothers Ernie Hudson, (1945–), American actor and playwright Garth Hudson (1937–), Canadian musician George Hudson (1800–1871), English railway financier George Hudson (1867–1946), English entomologist Karl Hudson-Phillips (1933–), Trinidadian lawyer... Tim Flock was one of NASCARs early pioneers. ...

1952

Marshall Teague made it two in a row in his 1952 Hudson. Teague gained the lead on lap two. The race was shortened by two laps because of an incoming tide. Teague won by 1 minute and 21 seconds over Herb Thomas. Joie Ray became the first African-American to compete in a NASCAR Grand National race. Marshall Teague (February 17, 1922 - February 11, 1959) was an American race car driver. ... Hudson refers to: Persons named Hudson Brett Hudson (1953–), American musician, singer, and songwriter, one of the Hudson Brothers Ernie Hudson, (1945–), American actor and playwright Garth Hudson (1937–), Canadian musician George Hudson (1800–1871), English railway financier George Hudson (1867–1946), English entomologist Karl Hudson-Phillips (1933–), Trinidadian lawyer... Herbert Watson Thomas (April 6, 1923–August 9, 2000) was a NASCAR pioneer who was one of the series most successful drivers in the 1950s. ...

1953

1952 winner Marshall Teague beside his Fabulous Hudson Hornet, Courtesy Florida Photographic Collection

Polesitter Bob Pronger and second place starter Fonty Flock had a bet as to who would lead the first lap. They both raced wildly into the north corner. Pronger went too fast into corner, and wrecked his car. Flock had over a one minute lead in the race, but ran out of gas taking the white flag at the start of the final lap. Flock’s teammate pushed his car into the pits. Bill Blair passed to win the race in a 1953 Oldsmobile. Flock finished second by 26 seconds. Bill Blair, born in Dallas, is a former Negro Leagues pitcher. ... The final Oldsmobile Logo, an update of the Rocket theme used in various forms since 1948, debuted in the mid-1990s until the final Olds rolled off the line in 2004. ...

136 cars started the NASCAR Modified/Sportsman race that year, making it the largest field ever in any NASCAR sanctioned event.

1954

Tim Flock finished the 1954 event first, but was disqualified on a minor technicality. Second place finisher Lee Petty edged out Buck Baker, and Petty was declared the winner of the 160-mile contest. Flock became the first driver to have radio contact with his crew. Tim Flock was one of NASCARs early pioneers. ... Lee Petty (left) pictured with (to his right, left to right) his son Richard, grandson Kyle, and great-grandson Adam, in 2000 before his death. ... Elzie Wylie Buck Baker Sr. ...

1955

Panoramic view of cars at starting point (1922), Courtesy Florida Photographic Collection

The 1955 race was won by Fireball Roberts. He was later disqualified, so the official win went to Tim Flock. Roberts was disqualified after NASCAR’s tech director found pushrods that were 0.016 inches too long. Edward Glenn Fireball Roberts, Jr. ... Tim Flock was one of NASCARs early pioneers. ... A pushrod or overhead valve (OHV) type piston engine places the camshaft below the pistons and uses pushrods or rods to actuate lifters or tappets above the cylinder head to actuate the valves. ...

1956

Tim Flock won his second consecutive Daytona race from the pole in his 1956 Chrysler. The car was owned by legendary NASCAR car owner Carl Kiekhaefer. He led every lap except for the four after his first pit stop. Tim Flock was one of NASCARs early pioneers. ... The Chrysler Corporation is a United States-based automobile manufacturer, since 1998 merged with Daimler_Benz into DaimlerChrysler. ...

1957

Cotton Owens moved from his third place starting position to lead the first lap. Paul Goldsmith took the lead briefly after 40 miles (of 160 miles). Goldsmith took the lead back from Owens after Owens pitted after 94 miles. Goldsmith’s quick pit stop gave him a lead that he maintained until he went out with a blown piston with 36 miles left in the race. Owens led the rest of the way for his first career win. The win was the first NASCAR win for Pontiac, and the first Grand National race speed average over 100 mph (101.541 mph). To meet Wikipedias quality standards and conform with our NPOV policy, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

1958

Paul Goldsmith started from the pole to win the final event at the course. He drove a Pontiac which was prepared by Smokey Yunick. Curtis Turner finished second, Jack Smith third, Joe Weatherly fourth. Lee Petty, Buck Baker, Fireball Roberts, and Cotton Owens finished in the Top ten. Paul Goldsmith was a Formula One driver (Indy 500 only) from the United States. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards and conform with our NPOV policy, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Henry Smokey Yunick (born May 25, 1923, somewhere around Maryville, Tennessee, died May 9, 2001 of leukemia) was a mechanic and car designer associated with motorsports in the United States. ... Curtis Turner was an early figure in NASCAR racing. ... Joe Weatherly is a former NASCAR driver. ... Lee Petty (left) pictured with (to his right, left to right) his son Richard, grandson Kyle, and great-grandson Adam, in 2000 before his death. ... Elzie Wylie Buck Baker Sr. ... Edward Glenn Fireball Roberts, Jr. ...

End of course

By 1953, France knew it was time for a permanent track to hold the large crowds that were gathering for races. Hotels were popping up all along the beachfront. On April 4, 1953, France proposed a new superspeedway called Daytona International Speedway. France began building a new 2.5 mile superspeedway in 1956 to host the new premiere event of the series – the Daytona 500. In 1958, the Daytona Beach road course hosted its last event. The first Daytona 500 was held in 1959. Daytona International Speedway is a superspeedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. ... The Daytona 500 is a 200-lap, 500 mile (805 km) NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. ...

External links

• Website about the beach
• Daytona Beach land speed record history
• History of the Daytona Beach shore
• NASCAR track stats
• NASCAR track statistics at racing-reference.com
• Account of the 1957 Daytona race from winner cottonowens.com
• Lee Bible’s tragic death
• Speed TV article on Daytona’s history
• Profile of Ormond Beach’s racing history