Fans Got a ‘Free’ First Look of Most Anticipated Cars in the History of the Sport, Which Make Points Debut in Feb. 20 DAYTONA 500
DAYTONA BEACH, FL (Jan. 11, 2022) – More than 10,000 anxious and excited fans were at Daytona International Speedway Tuesday to see first-hand NASCAR’s new ‘Next Gen’ cars in preparation for the Feb. 20 DAYTONA 500.
During the first of a two-day test session, nearly 20 NASCAR Cup Series teams took advantage of the track time, which began at 12 Noon and finished under the lights at 8 p.m. Fans, who were admitted ‘FREE’ into the venue, witnessed the machines that will bring the ‘stock car’ look back to NASCAR with tight, pack drafting and single car runs.
Editor’s Note:
- To download Next Gen B-Roll video from Tuesday, click here.
- To download Next Gen photos from Tuesday, click here.
Five former DAYTONA 500 Champions were on hand – Denny Hamlin (2016, 2019, 2020), Austin Dillon (2018), Joey Logano (2015) and Michael McDowell, along with two-time DAYTONA Champion Dale Earnhardt, Jr., who was testing for Hendrick Motorsports. Some of the others included former Coke Zero Sugar 400 Champions’ William Byron, Ryan Blaney, Erik Jones and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., along with Brad Keselowski, Daniel Suarez, Austin Cindric and Harrison Burton.
Fans were able to see the cars on the track from both Frontstretch seating at the Axalta Injector as well the infield UNOH Fanzone. Wednesday’s test will be closed to the public.
The Next Gen car, a collaboration of the brightest engineering minds in racing and the automotive industry, is designed to give the drivers greater control. It will put an emphasis back on race strategies, team personnel and vehicle setups while returning the ‘stock car’ look to NASCAR with the new Toyota TRD Camrys, Chevrolet Camaro ZL1s and Ford Mustangs. The cars, which were designed to look like the models available to fans in showrooms across the country, will utilize the latest technology to maximize performance, improve safety and provide incredible racing for fans.
During DAYTONA Speedweeks Presented By AdventHealth events, the Next Gen cars will hit the track in full competition on Thursday, Feb. 17 during the Bluegreen Vacations Duel at DAYTONA qualifying races.
For ticket information on the 2022 DAYTONA 500 and the Bluegreen Vacations Duel races, as well as other Speedweeks Presented By AdventHealth events log onto www.DAYTONA500.com or call 1-800-PITSHOP.
Fans can stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, as well as the all-new NASCAR Tracks App, for the latest speedway news.
About Daytona International Speedway
Daytona International Speedway is a state-of-the-art motorsports facility and was awarded the SportsBusiness Journal’s prestigious Sports Business Award for Sports Facility of the Year in 2016. Daytona International Speedway is the home of The Great American Race – the DAYTONA 500. Though the season-opening NASCAR Cup Series event garners most of the attention – as well as the largest audience in motorsports – the approximately 500-acre motorsports complex, also known as the World Center of Racing, boasts the most diverse schedule of racing on the globe. In addition to at least nine major event weekends, the Speedway grounds are also used extensively for events that include concerts, civic and social gatherings, car shows, photo shoots, production vehicle testing and police motorcycle training. The iconic venue will be the site of a host of motorsports events early in 2022, beginning with AHRMA Classic Motofest and the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA in January, and the 64th DAYTONA 500, which will debut the first points race for NASCAR’s ‘Next Gen’ car as part of Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth, in February. The tradition-rich 81st Annual Bike Week At DAYTONA returns in March, featuring DAYTONA Supercross and the DAYTONA 200, and in May with the Heroes Honor Festival. Later in the summer during Independence Day weekend, the track, in association with Torneos, will host Soccer Fest before the NASCAR Cup Series returns for the final race of the regular season with the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Aug. 27.
