Daytona International Speeway

Built in 1958 and holding its first race the following year, Daytona International Speedway is one of the most famous and important racetracks in the United States. The track was designed by William France Sr., the founder of NASCAR. Prior to the creation of this dedicated 2.5 mile tri-oval racetrack, the famous Daytona race occurred on part of the A1A highway and part of the beach.

The Speedway is used for different types of automotive races including a 3.65 mile sports car course, a 2.95 mile motocross course, and a .25 mile carting and motorcycle course. The infield features a 29 acre lake that is used for boat races. International Speedway Corporation owns and operates the speedway. The track has been renovated three times and repaved twice once in 1978 and 2010.

On February 18, 2001, Dale Earnhardt was in 7th place during the Daytona 500 in Daytona Beach, Florida. During the final lap, Earnhardt's left rear bumper and Sterling Marlin's front bumper made contact with each other, causing a catastrophic set of events. Earnhardt's car hit the wall and straight into the path of Ken Shrader. Earnhardt didn't have a HANS device on that would have secured his head to the seat. When he hit his head it caused a basilar skull fracture, instantly killing him. However, he was not pronounced dead until he reached the hospital.

Afterward, NASCAR took numerous safety measures to ensure nothing like this would happen again, including making the HANS device mandatory during races. A police investigation ensued after his death, with allegations that the seatbelt device failed. Kevin Harvick replaced Earnhardt in his upcoming races for the year. Earnhardt's death is considered one of the biggest and most tragic catastrophes in NASCAR history, and his death left a mark on NASCAR and fans still remember him and celebrate his career.