For racing fans all over the planet, Daytona Beach is known as one of the sport’s premier destinations … and for good reason. It is home, of course, to the “World Center of Racing” — Daytona International Speedway — along with a long list of other racing-themed attractions and events and race-themed restaurants.
And with early 2025’s “Speed Season” fast approaching, there are plenty of reasons for racing enthusiasts to get all revved up about the upcoming events calendar. Consider these highlights — just a few of the many reasons to plan a trip to Daytona Beach with your fellow-racing-fan friends and family members for some speed-fueled fun:
Roar Before The Rolex 24 | January 17-19
On Jan. 17-19, the ROAR Before the Rolex 24 will take place the weekend prior to the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA. The nail-biting practice and testing weekend gives drivers and teams the chance to prepare their cutting-edge machines, allowing fans a first look at the new-for-2025 machinery as drivers take top-speed laps around the track before the big race the following weekend.
Rolex 24 at DAYTONA | January 25–26
The full event weekend will begin on Thursday, Jan. 23 and feature the Michelin Pilot Challenge season opening BMW M Endurance Challenge on Friday, Jan. 24, as well as various practice and qualifying sessions throughout the multi-day event. The weekend will conclude with the historic Rolex 24 At DAYTONA on Jan. 25-26, North America's most prestigious sports car race where drivers and cars from four different classes will tackle the 3.56-mile road course under both sunshine and stars.
In addition to the 24 straight hours of professional racing action with around 60 cars, the race will also feature pre-race grid access, the popular Ferris Wheel and fireworks, autograph sessions, live entertainment and displays from the top manufacturers. The weekend includes the Taste of the 24 on Jan. 25 where fans can enjoy food from the area’s finest restaurants without missing any of the non-stop racing action.
DAYTONA Speedweeks Presented By AdventHealth & DAYTONA 500 | February 12–16
The 2025 edition of the Great American Race -- the DAYTONA 500 -- is set for Sunday, February 16. Experience the pageantry, excitement and spectacular racing of one of the biggest motorsports events in the world. GRAMMY® award winning artist Armando Christian Pérez, Pitbull, will perform the pre-race show ahead of the 67th running of the season-opening NASCAR Cup Series event. As always, the week leading up to the main event will be filled with plenty of high-octane racing action, too. This speed-lovers’ spectacle includes:
- The DAYTONA 500 Qualifying Presented by Busch Light on February 12
- The Duel at DAYTONA 150-mile qualifying races on February 13
- The Fresh From Florida 250 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race on February 14
- The United Rentals 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series race & the ARCA Menards Series race on February 15
- The DAYTONA 500 on February 16
Don’t miss your chance to experience all the action!
Ready to start planning your speed-fueled getaway to the Florida coast? Check out the wide range of accommodations available in Daytona Beach, and start planning your early 2025 vacation today! We’ll be looking forward to celebrating the Speed Season with you and your vacation crew soon!
