DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY

Testing sites across Central Florida are seeing long lines as the holidays wrap up and the omicron variant of COVID-19 continues surging throughout the state.

The percent positivity rate through Dec. 25 was 11.77%. Hospitalizations and deaths remain low.

Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Martha Earnhardt NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Sr. kisses his mother, Martha Earnhardt, before the start of the 1981 Daytona 500 stock car race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Robert Alexander/Getty Images, File)Family members said Sunday that Martha Earnhardt, the matriarch of the famed Earnhardt racing family, died the evening of Christmas, WSOC-TV reported. >> Read more trending newsShe was 91, according to NASCAR.com. “She was not just the matriarch to our family, but she was the matriarch to multiple generations of race fans.”>> Read more on WSOCTV.comHer death came weeks after the passing of her youngest son, Danny Earnhardt Sr., WSOC reported. Martha Earnhardt is survived by her daughters, Kaye and Cathy, according to WSOC.

Welcome to Rockville, a four-day hard rock and heavy metal music festival, announced on Wednesday some of the acts for its 2022 event.

Her band apologized on her behalf. But now Sophia Urista is coming clean.

As the old saying goes, when you gotta go, you gotta go. But does it have to go down on stage during a concert?

Welcome to Rockville, a four-day rock festival, kicks off its 10th edition at a new home in Daytona Beach from Nov. 11-14.

Coca-Cola announced Monday it has bought full control of sports drink maker Bodyarmor for $5.6 billion, making it the company's largest acquisition to date.

Daytona International Speedway is joining the race to end COVID-19 at its new testing site, according to a press release.

Daytona Beach police are gearing up for the city’s 29th annual Biketoberfest.

Police in Georgia say former NASCAR driver John Wes Townley was shot to death in a dispute that involved a hatchet after showing up at a house occupied by his estranged wife and another man.

It was a busy Tuesday morning inside the Daytona International Speedway, though there were no races.

Tyler Reddick finished fifth in the NASCAR Cup Series regular-season finale Saturday night and secured the final spot in the 16-car postseason field.

Ryan Blaney won for the second consecutive week when the race Saturday night at Daytona International Speedway ended under caution in overtime with a typical fiery finish.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Thousands of race fans packed into the Daytona International Speedway for the Coke Zero Sugar 400 race on Saturday. It was the first time since the beginning of the pandemic that the capacity at the speedway was not capped. Races at the speedway had been limited to just 25% capacity due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “They’re selling full capacity, but I waited until a couple days ago to buy the seats,” said Reggie Osenton. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, and click here to watch the latest news on your Smart TV.

Office Raynor honored at Daytona Fallen Daytona Beach police officer Jason Raynor will be honored during race weekend at Daytona International Speedway. Officer Jason Raynor’s memorial was moved earlier this week from the Daytona Beach police headquarters to One Daytona in Victory Circle near the Jantzen Girl, the police department said. READ: Daytona Beach police officer Jason Raynor dies after being shot in the headThe vehicle will be on display throughout the entire weekend of races at Daytona International Speedway. See video below:READ: Community pays respects to Daytona Beach Officer Jason Raynor during funeral processionJD Motorsports racers will also honor Raynor at this weekend’s races by having his name displayed on four race cars. READ: ‘Heart of gold’: Who is Jason Raynor, the Daytona Beach police officer shot in the head?

Daytona Beach police have moved the memorial for a fallen officer to One Daytona near Daytona International Speedway ahead of this weekend's race.

Speedway leaders said they’ve been monitoring the COVID-surge and been in touch with the local health department.

Nothing says Florida like NASCAR and an American alligator.

A dump truck hit several vehicles near the Daytona International Speedway, causing traffic delays, according to the Daytona Beach Fire Department.

The Daytona International Speedway is hosting one of five hiring events starting Thursday for the Wawa 250 and Coke Zero Sugar 400 races at the end of August.

A man was killed and a woman was hurt when a motorcycle crashed into a car near the Daytona International Speedway, police say.

IndyCar Road America Ware Auto Racing FILE - Cody Ware gets ready for a NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race practice session at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., in this Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, file photo. Ware will make his IndyCar debut at Road America this weekend driving a car for Dale Coyne Racing that has an association with Ware's father. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File) (John Raoux)ELKHART LAKE, Wis. — (AP) — Josef Newgarden has earned the pole position for Sunday’s IndyCar race at Road America as he attempts to help Team Penske earn its first win of the season. Newgarden had a fastest lap of 1 minute, 46.0186 seconds on a road course that extends just over 4 miles and features 14 turns. Magnussen is a replacement for Felix Rosenqvist, who won at Road America last year but was injured in a crash last week at Detroit.

Josef Newgarden has earned the pole position for Sunday’s IndyCar race at Road America as he attempts to help Team Penske earn its first win of the season.

Tickets for the 64th Annual Daytona 500 taking place Presidents Day weekend in 2022 are now on sale.

Flagler Palm Coast High School and Matanzas High School return to the Ocean Center for their graduation ceremonies, as before the pandemic.

The Daytona International Speedway announced plans to return to full capacity in time for the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on August 28. The night-time race,...

The Coke Zero Sugar 400 will be held at the Daytona International Speedway with 100% capacity.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Daytona International Speedway is ready to welcome fans back in a big way. It announced Friday there would be no capacity restrictions for the Coke Zero Sugar 400 this August. It’s a big change from last year, when only 25% of those seats were filled because of COVID-19 restrictions. READ: Florida reports nearly 2,300 COVID-19 cases as Fauci discusses timeline for normalcy“We are ready to welcome fans back,” said Frank Kelleher, president of Daytona International Speedway. He said they still have not decided if masks or temperature checks will be required.

Former NASCAR driver Eric McClure died Sunday at the age of 42.

From intern to president, Frank Kelleher has climbed to one of the highest rungs on the Daytona International Speedway ladder.

Christopher Bell celebrates at the finish line after winning the NASCAR Cup Series road course auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)HOMESTEAD, Fla. – NASCAR’s postseason landscape has been altered after just two Cup Series races. “The number of unique winners is really going to change how many cars get in on points, right? Although Bell drives for powerhouse Joe Gibbs Racing, he was a rookie for that top team and in his second full season in the Cup series. The Cup Series opened on a superspeedway, then raced on a road course, and now heads to an intermediate track. Whether that’s different markets, different racetracks, it has to be different from year to year.

It was the very first NASCAR national series race for Ty Gibbs, who jumped two steps from ARCA to Xfinity for his debut. Ty Gibbs is the second-youngest winner in Xfinity Series history. But as his grandson crossed the finish line, his glasses fogged and he hugged a Joe Gibbs Racing team member. JGR has yet to announce a full 2021 schedule for Ty Gibbs, but his grandfather said the details are decided by Coy Gibbs. They picked the Daytona road course for his debut because Ty Gibbs finished second here in last year's ARCA race.

Michael McDowell, driver of the #34 Love's Travel Stops Ford, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series 63rd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 14, 2021 in Daytona Beach,The rain just keeps hurting NASCAR's top event. Sunday's 2021 Daytona 500, impacted by a nearly six-hour rain delay, attracted an average of 4.83 million viewers, Fox Sports has confirmed to CNBC. It marks the lowest-viewed Daytona 500 in the history of the race. Last year's Daytona 500 also suffered through a rain delay, which moved the event to a second day. The 2019 and 2018 races averaged roughly 9 million viewers, but that was down from over 11 million viewers the race averaged in 2017 and 2016.

Toni Breidinger made history as the first Arab-American female driver to compete in a NASCAR national series after she made her debut at Daytona International Speedway over the weekend. "As soon as I got into a go-kart for my first time, I was like, 'I want to be a race car driver,'" she said. In 2020, she finished fourth in the Carolina Pro Late Model Series with racing team DLP Motorsports. Throughout the season, Breidinger – who joined the Young's Motorsports racing team earlier this month – will compete in the ARCA Menards Series stock car competition and NASCAR's pickup truck competition, the Camping World Truck Series. She'll be driving a Chevrolet SS car for the ARCA Mernards Series and a Chevrolet Silverado for the Camping World Truck Series.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Michael McDowell was glued to Brad Keselowski’s bumper, watching and waiting for his chance to win the Daytona 500. Denny Hamlin was trying for a record third-consecutive Daytona 500 victory, and the team he started with Michael Jordan was debuting with driver Bubba Wallace. Kyle Larson was back after nearly a year in exile for using a racial slur, and reigning Cup champion Chase Elliott was going for his first Daytona 500 win. And all the way at the back of the field, 1990 Daytona 500 winner Derrike Cope made what he said would be his final NASCAR start. “I wanted to make the pass to win the Daytona 500 and it ended up really bad,” Keselowski said.

Racers crash during the last lap in the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Latest on the Daytona 500 (all times local):12:35 a.m.Brad Keselowski has no regrets about the way he handled the final lap of the Daytona 500. ___12:15 a.m.Michael McDowell won the Daytona 500 after Penske Racing teammates Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski wrecked on the final lap. ___3:25 p.m.Derrike Cope was knocked out after only three laps, an ignominious end for the 62-year-old driver who won the 1990 Daytona 500. ___2 p.m.Bubba Wallace’s car failed inspection twice for the Daytona 500 and will have to start at the back of the field. AdWallace drives a new entry owned by NBA great Michael Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin.

“I think we proved as an industry last year that track time was a little overrated," said David Wilson, head of Toyota Racing Development. Heavy rain soaked the track early, though, prompting officials to shift gears before the Xfinity Series opener later Saturday. An ARCA series race also was scheduled for the middle of the day. “I'm fine without it,” said 2017 Daytona 500 winner Kurt Busch. ..."Obviously, we didn’t want to go to a backup car, but I think we’re still in a really good place for the 500.

Even so, officials think this will be the largest in-person sporting event since the start of the pandemic. Hotel rooms usually sell out quickly during race week, giving a huge boost to local mom and pop resorts, like Perry’s Ocean Edge. She said the shop poured several thousand dollars into merchandise to stock up for this weekend, usually their busiest sales weekend of the year. She said customers have told her this week they’re making a point to visit the smaller shops this year, too. “A lot of the small local businesses in town, we’ve provided them some assets for them to put out in their restaurants and bars,” he said.

Drivers and crew members seek shelter under umbrellas as rain falls before the second of two qualifying NASCAR auto races for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)Orlando, FLA. – With rain expected this race weekend, some might think “it always rains on the Daytona 500.” But is that truly the case? According to the National Weather Service in Daytona, records show weather impacted the race only three times in the past decade. This will usher in unsettled weather with the chance for off and on rain both Saturday and Sunday. Daytona 500 ForecastThe race is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. on Valentine’s Day, Sunday. This weather could mean a few rounds of rain delays throughout the race.

48 team will ideally use Saturday's final two practice sessions to determine if the engine can make it 500 miles on Sunday. “We think the engine is OK, but we're undecided just yet,” said Knaus, who won the NASCAR title seven times as a crew chief. AdHendrick Motorsports suffered another blow when William Byron was involved in a crash in his qualifying race that destroyed his Chevrolet. Hendrick will now have only one car at the front of the Daytona 500 field — maybe none if Bowman's engine is deemed too risky not to change. The pole-sitter has not closed out a Daytona 500 victory since Dale Jarrett in 2000.

Alex Bowman and William Byron were slated to lead the Daytona 500 field to green but that's in danger following Thursday night's qualifying races. Byron was collected in a crash in the second Duel and it ruined his Chevrolet. AdAustin Cindric and Kaz Grala both earned their first berths into the Daytona 500 by claiming the two available transfer positions in the Duels. He was the leader on the final lap of the second Duel until Dillon crossed to Wallace’s inside and inched ahead. “We’ve got an incredible race car and I can’t wait for the Daytona 500.”

Alex Bowman and William Byron swept the front row Wednesday night in qualifying for the Daytona 500, giving Hendrick its 14th pole and sixth in the last seven years. “Here it really just comes down to who built the fastest race car. It’s the fourth consecutive year Bowman will start from the front row, but he's got a completely new look this time. Only the front row was set Wednesday, the first time Daytona 500 qualifying has been held at night under a condensed Speedweeks schedule. “My motto is, ‘No more excuses.’”Hamlin, who is trying to become the first driver to win three consecutive Daytona 500s, was 12th.

Blaney had chased down Elliott on the road course at Daytona International Speedway to take the lead with two laps remaining in Tuesday night's 35-lap Speedweeks opener. Elliott, winner of NASCAR's last four road course races dating to 2019, didn't let Blaney pull away and set himself up for one final chance at the win. This year's running was the first time on Daytona's road course, a plan announced before the 2020 season began. Elliott won the inaugural Daytona road course race. NASCAR will run the road course again on Feb. 21 in a points-paying event.

Wayne Taylor left General Motors after 28 years at the end of last season to become a factory Acura program. "We won it with Ricky, and Jordan won the GT class with Corvette, and then the Wayne Taylor Racing program won it overall. Albuquerque won in 2018 driving a Cadillac; Ricky Taylor won in a Cadillac for his father's team in 2017. AdWhen Taylor switched to Acura, he released van der Zande, who was grabbed by Ganassi as the team returned to sports car racing after a one-year hiatus. “Looked like we had the race won right there.

NASCAR will attempt some normalcy at the season-opening Daytona 500 with a live pre-race concert featuring country music star Luke Combs. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)CHARLOTTE, N.C. – NASCAR will attempt some normalcy at the season-opening Daytona 500 with a live pre-race concert — the first big performance at a track during the pandemic — featuring country music star Luke Combs. Born in Charlotte but raised in Asheville, Combs made NASCAR races a weekly viewing staple alongside his grandfather. “If you would’ve told me back then that I’d be performing at the Daytona 500 one day, I wouldn’t have believed you,” said Combs, a longtime fan of Dale Earnhardt Jr. Live music is a way for us to be able to disconnect from everything else, and just be there in the moment,” Combs said.

Beginning next week, Legoland Florida Resort will begin installing a new shade structure over the top of its popular Miniland USA. Kennedy Space Center at Legoland's Miniland USA (Legoland Florida)The transformation is just a piece of the park’s plans to celebrate its 10th birthday this year. 🥳... Posted by LEGOLAND Florida on Monday, January 4, 2021The park is also offering its Preschooler Pass for a limited time. The pass grants children ages 3 and 4 admission for the year to both Legoland Florida and its neighboring waterpark. Legoland Florida is also adding pirate fest and LEGO friends weekends, a master model builders experience and a new 4-D film at the Legoland fun town theater.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office has identified a man who drove the wrong way on Interstate 95 while fleeing from authorities, ultimately crashing head-on into another vehicle while driving the wrong way and killing two siblings. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said Harris’ criminal history includes eight prison sentences, 18 felony convictions and 20 misdemeanor convictions. Kyley Larsen, 17, and Drake Milis, 13, were in the back seat and were also injured in the crash. Drake Milis is the younger brother of the two other victims and Larsen is their cousin. According to their GoFundMe pages, Drake Milis was released from the hospital Friday and is continuing to recover.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – In preparation for the Daytona 500 in 2021, the Daytona International Speedway is hiring for a variety of positions to work at the major racing event. The speedway is hiring guest services positions, including ushers, ticket takers, information booths and tram drivers. [TRENDING: Animal nearly severs woman’s arm at Carole Baskin’s rescue | CDC: Avoid travel to Mexico | Brightline targets 2022 for OIA station]To increase its workforce during Daytona Speedweeks events, including the 59th Rolex 24 at Daytona and the 63rd annual Daytona 500, the speedway will host hiring events at the facility. Below is a list of dates and times:Thursday, Dec. 3, 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.Saturday, Dec. 5, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.Tuesday, Jan. 5, 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.Saturday, Jan. 9, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.Tuesday, Jan. 12, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.mInterested applicants can enter Speedway property at the intersection of NASCAR Drive and International Speedway Boulevard and park in front of the Axalta Injector. Officials earlier this week said there will be limited fans at the Daytona 500 due to the coronavirus.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Magic of Lights at the Daytona International Speedway transformed into a community wide food drop Wednesday morning for hundreds of people like Elena D’Andelet who need groceries. This was McKain’s first time to be in a food drop line. Jamie Hartsgrove who is the Outreach Director of Daytona Dream Center said the need for food has not slowed down. Wednesday’s food drop was the 14th one since March. Daytona Dream Center teamed up with Calvary Christian Center and Second Harvest Food Bank to distribute 32,000 pounds of food Wednesday morning.

Daytona International Speedway announced Wednesday it will be limiting the number of fans allowed in the stands for The Great American Race next year. 📰: https://t.co/9cEIKinY8Y pic.twitter.com/ZSTM13Jra3 — Daytona International Speedway (@DISupdates) December 2, 2020The speedway did not make it clear how many spectators will be allowed in the stadium. Fans who plan to still attend events don’t have to take any further action, according to Daytona International Speedway. “The fans at (the) track and at home create the energy of The Great American Race. While we unfortunately won’t be able to have everyone here with us in 2021, your support and passion will still be felt in February, " Daytona International Speedway said on Twitter.

FILE - In this Feb. 14, 2020, file photo, Kyle Larson gets ready to climb into his car to practice for the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. NASCAR on Monday, Oct. 29, 2020, cleared Larson to return in 2021, ending his long suspension for using a racial slur while playing a video racing game. Larson was suspended in April after he used the n-word while playing an online racing game in which viewers could follow along. (AP Photo/Terry Renna, File)

The holiday season is right around the corner and we know Christmas lovers are ready for all things festive and this news will surely bring excitement. The Daytona International Speedway announced Thursday it’s Magic of Lights drive-thru extravaganza would be returning for its fourth year. The speedway will be decked out in lights and ready for family-friendly fun starting Nov. 13. If one pass through the lights isn’t enough, there will be “double drive-thru” on Tuesday nights, excluding Dec. 22, where one ticket will be enough. Advance tickets are on sale now at magicoflights.com/Daytona with a pre-sale price of $22 for cars and $40 for oversized vehicles.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. The trucks roared into town on Friday for Daytonas Truck Meet to start the weekend. Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry said he has some concerns having the event during one of the busiest weekends of the year. But, Daytona Beach Police Chief Craig Capri disagrees. Chief Capri said its been a manageable event over the last couple of years. We have neighborhood intrusion units to protect the neighborhoods from people may be coming through there, said Chief Capri.

Those moves got him to victory lane for the first time in his young NASCAR Cup Series career and back in the playoffs for the second consecutive season. Winless in 120 races, Johnson made a trip to victory lane to congratulate Byron and the No. Its a big win for Chad Knaus and William Byron," Johnson said. Its been a hard couple of years in the Cup Series and trying to get my first win and trying to gel with this team," Byron said. WALLACE REACTSWallace said before the race that there was not much of a dialogue among NASCAR drivers regarding sitting out the Cup Series regular-season finale at Daytona.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. Racing at Daytona International Speedway always comes with a hefty dose of drama. Nearly half the field is looking to clinch a postseason berth with a victory, including seven-time series champion Jimmie Johnson. Crazy things will happen.Thats exactly what NASCAR envisioned when it moved Daytonas summertime extravaganza to the regular-season finale. Cup races at Daytona already were considered wild-card events in which just about anyone could end up in victory lane. Throw in the raised stakes, and it's sure to create an ultra-intense couple of hours on the track.

NASCARs most popular driver won the Cup Series road course race at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, holding off hard-charging Denny Hamlin following a late restart and notching his third consecutive victory away from ovals. The 24-year-old Elliott also won on road courses at Charlotte and at Watkins Glen last year. Elliott, Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr. had the cars to beat. Making up that kind of ground on a 14-turn, 3.61-mile road course was a nearly impossible tough task, especially considering Elliott was turning mistake-free laps at the front of the field. Newman was one of the few Cup drivers with experience on Daytonas road course.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Dozens of employees at Daytona International Speedway gathered to get results for a longtime employee. Juanita “Lightnin” Epton celebrated her 100th birthday Wednesday. She has been an employee at the speedway since it was built in 1958. To help her celebrate the milestone, dozens of her friends from the speedway put together a parade of more than 100 cars and drove past her Daytona Beach home. Epton is still employed at Daytona International Speedway in ticket operations.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – NASCAR will move its August road course race from Watkins Glen in upstate New York because of state health restrictions, and the event will shift instead to the road course at Daytona International Speedway. Michigan International Speedway will host a doubleheader before NASCAR's debut on the Daytona road course. After that race, Dover International Speedway will host a doubleheader, and the playoff field will be finalized the next week at Daytona. NASCAR was not scheduled to compete on the road course at Daytona until next February in the exhibition Busch Clash to kick off the season. It will be the 13th Cup race since NASCAR resumed racing eight weeks ago.

FILE - In this Feb. 10, 2020, file photo, Jimmie Johnson celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Clash auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson has twice tested negative for the coronavirus and has been cleared to race Sunday, July 12, 2020 at Kentucky Speedway. Johnson missed the first race of his Cup career when he tested positive last Friday. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)

FILE - In this Feb. 16, 2020 file photo Jimmie Johnson climbs intp his car before the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. NASCAR seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson will test an Indy car next week on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Hes long said he is open to racing in the series but did not want to compete on ovals out of safety concerns. On Friday, July 3, 2020, he indicated recent safety improvements have softened his stance and the Indianapolis 500 is not entirely out of the picture. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. Felipe Nasr has tested positive for the coronavirus and will miss the IMSA sports car race Saturday at Daytona International Speedway. Action Express Racing said Friday that Gabby Chaves will replace Nasr and the Brazilian would quarantine in Miami. Nasr said he began to feel ill while driving Thursday to Daytona Beach. Hopefully, I will recover quickly, and my doctors can clear me to return to racing soon.Nasr, the 2018 IMSA prototype championship, was scheduled to drive the No. Chaves drove for the team in 2018 at Petit Le Mans, finishing eighth.

AdventHealth's drive-thru coronavirus testing site at Daytona International Speedway will close Thursday, less than a month after opening, according to hospital officials. AdventHealth will phase out drive-thru testing sites over the next two weeks in Central Florida as the state and local businesses reopen, according to a press release. Coronavirus testing will continue to be available with a doctor's order at CentraCare locations and for patients at AdventHealth hospitals, according to the release. Since opening the first drive-up testing location at Daytona International Speedway on April 9, AdventHealth tested more than 18,000 people. AdventHealth will cover the cost of those who are uninsured at the community drive-up testing sites.

The adapted ceremony will take place at the Daytona International Speedway on May 31, for seniors at both Flagler-Palm Coast and Matanzas high schools. Instead of walking across the stage this year to receive their diplomas, high school graduates in the Flagler County school district will be driving across the finish line at the Daytona International Speedway in May an adjustment forced by the coronavirus pandemic. [CORONAVIRUS: Florida high school seniors might miss graduation farewells]The district announced Friday that both Flagler high schools will have ceremonies on May 31. "When presented with the offer from Daytona International Speedway, the soon-to-be graduates were excited at the prospect of taking a victory lap as they end this chapter of their lives." This story originally published to news-journalonline.com, and was shared to other Florida newspapers in the USA TODAY Network - Florida.

Flagler Palm Coast High School and Matanzas High School seniorsthe Class of 2020, battered by three hurricanes and the coronavirus emergencywill have their graduation ceremonies after all, in person, on time, and in the most unique ways imaginable. The event will be restricted to one car per graduate, with the graduates family in that car, so additional visitors will not be permitted. But utilizing the Speedway, well never have that opportunity again, and were just over the moon that the International Speedway stepped up reached out and offered their facility. Graduating at Daytona International Speedway is beyond anything I ever could have imagined when we started talking about alternate graduations, Perez said. Thats happening across the country in colleges and high schools.

AdventHealth coronavirus drive-thru testing sites in Flagler and Volusia counties will now be open from 9 a.m. to noon. Starting Monday, AdventHealths drive-thru coronavirus testing sites at the Daytona International Speedway and Daytona State Colleges Palm Coast campus will operate from 9 a.m. to noon, according to a press release. To date, more than 15,000 people have been tested at AdventHealth drive-up testing sites in Central Florida, according to the release. On April 9, AdventHealth opened the first coronavirus testing site in Volusia County at the Daytona International Speedway. Last weekend, the Palm Coast site closed to make improvements and expand testing in partnership with AdventHealth.

As usual, for information about the coronavirus, call the Florida Coronavirus Hotline at 866-779-6121 or visit floridahealthcovid19.gov. The drive-through process takes about 3 minutes and test results are taking at least 4-5 days on average. Tests results are communicated back to the patients primary care doctor, who notifies the patient of the results. Flagler Health+ is also offering a reduced rate of $25 for people to see a doctor online who may not have a primary care doctor. Collection is being treated as an urgent care doctors visit and clients must bring a photo ID and insurance card.

In an effort to increase availability of Covid-19 testing in Florida, AdventHealth will offer 500 or more drive-up tests at Daytona International Speedway starting at 9 a.m. Friday, the company announced today in a release. The effort has been led by the health care system and AdventHealth Centra Care with partners such as Daytona International Speedway. The drive-up testing location is accessed through Daytona International Speedways NASCAR Drive entrance at the intersection with One Daytona. We are proud to partner with AdventHealth on this important community initiative, Daytona International Speedway President Chip Wile said. We are very grateful for the efforts of the Daytona International Speedway and AdventHealth in this endeavor.

DAYTONA BEACH President Donald Trumps turn around the tri-oval of Daytona International Speedway on Sunday was, for many fans and supporters, a highlight of a day theyll long remember. [TIMELINE: Trump at the Daytona 500]Congressman Michael Waltz, who officially invited Trump to the Daytona 500, experienced the event from a unique vantage point. Also aboard the flight: Donald Trump Jr., Jared Kushner and Brian France, former CEO of NASCAR, who had endorsed Trump in 2016. "I saw (President Trump) inside the car and I saw Melania as she got outside the car," Costello said. Waltz also got a few minutes to speak with Trump on Air Force One after departing Daytona Beach.

Feb 16, 2020; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; President Donald Trump the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY SportsWASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump attended the wedding on Sunday of one of his top aides, immigration hardliner Stephen Miller, to Vice President Mike Pences spokeswoman, Katie Waldman. The wedding took place at the Trump International Hotel, a few blocks from the White House. Miller has largely led Trumps efforts to crack down on legal and illegal immigration to the United States. Miller has largely taken the lead in advocating for those and other efforts to tighten U.S. immigration policies during Trumps tenure.

All tickets for the Daytona 500, NASCARs premiere race, will be honored Monday at Daytona International Speedway. 4:20 p.m. UpdateThe Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway has gone green after a short rain delay. 3:35 p.m. Update The 62nd Daytona 500 has been red-flagged at Daytona International Speedway before a sellout crowd. 3:07 p.m. Update President Donald Trump has delivered those most famous words in racing "Gentleman, start your engines," to start the Daytona 500. 2:35 p.m. Update President Donald Trump spoke to Daytona 500 fans at Daytona International Speedway.

Thousands of NASCAR fans are arriving at Daytona International Speedway for the Daytona 500 that starts at 3:18 p.m. today. 4:20 p.m. UpdateThe Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway has gone green after a short rain delay. 3:35 p.m. Update The 62nd Daytona 500 has been red-flagged at Daytona International Speedway before a sellout crowd. 2:35 p.m. Update President Donald Trump spoke to Daytona 500 fans at Daytona International Speedway. 2:30 p.m. Update President Donald Trump flew by Daytona International Speedway then landed at Daytona Beach International Airport today just before 1 pm.

Thousands of NASCAR fans are arriving at Daytona International Speedway for the Daytona 500 that starts at 3:18 p.m. today. 4:20 p.m. UpdateThe Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway has gone green after a short rain delay. 3:35 p.m. Update The 62nd Daytona 500 has been red-flagged at Daytona International Speedway before a sellout crowd. 2:35 p.m. Update President Donald Trump spoke to Daytona 500 fans at Daytona International Speedway. 2:30 p.m. Update President Donald Trump flew by Daytona International Speedway then landed at Daytona Beach International Airport today just before 1 pm.

President Donald Trump is at the pre-race festivitiets at the Daytona 500. 3:16 p.m.President Donald Trumps limousine leaves the track after a lap leading the Daytona 500 field before the 62nd running of the race at Daytona International Speedway. 3:07 p.m.President Donald Trump give the starting command for the Daytona 500: "Gentlemen start your engines!" He says Daytona 500 drivers are competing for "Pure American glory." [READ MORE: President Trump to give command to start engines at Daytona 500]1 p.m.Air Force One majestically circled Daytona International Speedway to cheers from fans.

Thousands of NASCAR fans are arriving at Daytona International Speedway for the Daytona 500 that starts at 3:18 p.m. today. 4:45 p.m. UpdateHeavy rain has caused NASCAR to throw the first yellow flag and second red flag of the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. 4:20 p.m. UpdateThe Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway has gone green after a short rain delay. 3:35 p.m. Update The 62nd Daytona 500 has been red-flagged at Daytona International Speedway before a sellout crowd. 2:35 p.m. Update President Donald Trump spoke to Daytona 500 fans at Daytona International Speedway.

Thousands of NASCAR fans are arriving at Daytona International Speedway for the Daytona 500 that starts at 3:18 p.m. today. 2:35 p.m. Update DAYTONA BEACH -- President Donald Trump spoke to Daytona 500 fans at Daytona International Speedway. 2:30 p.m. Update President Donald Trump flew by Daytona International Speedway then landed at Daytona Beach International Airport today just before 1 pm. Lines formed early and long at Daytona International Speedway as the Speedway prepares for the arrival of President Donald Trump. Earnhardt credited Speedway President Chip Wile for bringing him to the Speedway in new and different roles each year since he retired.

All tickets for the Daytona 500, NASCARs premiere race, will be honored Monday at Daytona International Speedway. 4:45 p.m. UpdateHeavy rain has caused NASCAR to throw the first yellow flag and second red flag of the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. 4:20 p.m. UpdateThe Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway has gone green after a short rain delay. 3:35 p.m. Update The 62nd Daytona 500 has been red-flagged at Daytona International Speedway before a sellout crowd. 2:35 p.m. Update President Donald Trump spoke to Daytona 500 fans at Daytona International Speedway.

Thousands of NASCAR fans are arriving at Daytona International Speedway for the Daytona 500 that starts at 3:18 p.m. today. DAYTONA BEACH Thousands of fans are arriving at Daytona International Speedway for the Great American Race today and theyre being greeted with the U.S. Secret Service, preparing for the arrival of President Donald Trump. The heightened security is making the wait to get into the Speedway a little bit longer, so arriving fans should be prepared, especially if they want to bring in bags or coolers. Lines formed early and long at Daytona International Speedway as the Speedway prepares for the arrival of President Donald Trump. Earnhardt credited Speedway President Chip Wile for bringing him to the Speedway in new and different roles each year since he retired.

Thousands of NASCAR fans are arriving at Daytona International Speedway for the Daytona 500 that starts at 3:18 p.m. today. DAYTONA BEACH Thousands of fans are arriving at Daytona International Speedway for the Great American Race today and theyre being greeted with the U.S. Secret Service, preparing for the arrival of President Donald Trump. The heightened security is making the wait to get into the Speedway a little bit longer, so arriving fans should be prepared, especially if they want to bring in bags or coolers. Lines formed early and long at Daytona International Speedway as the Speedway prepares for the arrival of President Donald Trump. Earnhardt credited Speedway President Chip Wile for bringing him to the Speedway in new and different roles each year since he retired.

Thousands of NASCAR fans are arriving at Daytona International Speedway for the Daytona 500 that starts at 3:18 p.m. today. 3:35 p.m. Update The 62nd Daytona 500 has been red-flagged at Daytona International Speedway before a sellout crowd. 2:35 p.m. Update President Donald Trump spoke to Daytona 500 fans at Daytona International Speedway. 2:30 p.m. Update President Donald Trump flew by Daytona International Speedway then landed at Daytona Beach International Airport today just before 1 pm. Lines formed early and long at Daytona International Speedway as the Speedway prepares for the arrival of President Donald Trump.

President Donald Trump is at the pre-race festivitiets at the Daytona 500. 4:10 p.mAir Force One with President Donald Trump, the first lady and others aboard took off from Daytona Beach International Speedway about 11 minutes before a rain delayed Daytona 500 got the green flag. 3:16 p.m.President Donald Trumps limousine leaves the track after a lap leading the Daytona 500 field before the 62nd running of the race at Daytona International Speedway. 3:07 p.m.President Donald Trump give the starting command for the Daytona 500: "Gentlemen start your engines!" [READ MORE: President Trump to give command to start engines at Daytona 500]1 p.m.Air Force One majestically circled Daytona International Speedway to cheers from fans.

President Donald Trump has been named grand marshal of the 62nd Daytona 500 Sunday and will be the fourth sitting president to attend a race at Daytona. DAYTONA BEACH President Donald Trump wont need a teleprompter Sunday when, as grand marshal of the 62nd annual Daytona 500, hell be given one scripted line. With no women in the race, Trump may return to the traditional. In any event, hell be the fourth sitting president to serve as grand marshal at a Daytona race, and just the second to do so at the Daytona 500. George W. Bush served as grand marshal at the 2004 February race.

Drones and planes banned from flying within 30 miles of Daytona 500 on Sunday as Trump visitsDAYTONA BEACH The FAA and the Secret Service are restricting all flights within 30 miles of Daytona International Speedway during President Trumps visit on Sunday to the Daytona 500. The Secret Service had tweeted earlier this week that it was declaring a no-drone zone within 30 miles of Daytona International Speedway on Sunday. The Secret Service is securing the @NASCAR Daytona 500 by providing a 30 mile "No Drone Zone". pic.twitter.com/pHjp7Bvwix U.S. Secret Service (@SecretService) February 12, 2020The FAA established smaller no drone zones for events leading up to the big race. The FAA restriction will be in effect for the NextEra Energy 250 on Friday and the NASCAR Racing Experience 300 on Saturday.

Drones and planes banned from flying within 30 miles of Daytona 500 on Sunday as Trump visitsDAYTONA BEACH The FAA and the Secret Service are restricting all flights within 30 miles of Daytona International Speedway during President Donald Trumps visit on Sunday to the Daytona 500. Print hed: Daytona 500: No planes, no drones, no sky-divingThe Secret Service had tweeted earlier this week that it was declaring a no-drone zone within 30 miles of the Speedway on Sunday. The traditional Daytona 500 flyover by the USAF Thunderbirds their 10th in a row and their 11th overall will not be affected. The Goodyear Blimp will also be allowed to take to the air above the Speedway, according to the Secret Service. The Secret Service is securing the @NASCAR Daytona 500 by providing a 30 mile "No Drone Zone".

President Donald Trump has been named grand marshal of the 62nd Daytona 500 Sunday and will be the fourth sitting president to attend a race at Daytona. DAYTONA BEACH President Donald Trump wont need a teleprompter Sunday when, as grand marshal of the 62nd annual Daytona 500, hell be given one scripted line. The addition of Danica Patrick to the field in 2012 changed the line from Gentlemen, start your engines, to the gender-neutral, Drivers, ... .With no women in the race, Trump may return to the traditional. In any event, hell be the fourth sitting president to serve as grand marshal at a Daytona race, and just the second to do so at the Daytona 500. George W. Bush served as grand marshal at the 2004 February race.

Soon you may start seeing more bars when youre taking your selfie at the Speedway, thanks to a new deal between NASCAR and Verizon. The deal will improve connectivity at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach and 11 more tracks owned by NASCAR a problem fans have complained about for years. Even when the top Cup Series was sponsored first by Nextel and then Sprint, cellular service was spotty and often only available to customers of those specific carriers. Verizon will work with NASCAR to upgrade in-venue wireless communication service over the next three years. Eleven tracks not owned by NASCAR also host Cup Series races.

[READ MORE: Daytona 500: As Johnson gears up for final season, which Hendrick driver fills the void?] He only has to finish ahead of Timmy Hill in order to start his seventh Daytona 500. In earlier times, when 50, 60 or even 70 teams came down with a Daytona 500 dream, they truly were "qualifying" races. "I think itll be a lot of respect and different mentalities, just knowing that it is our Daytona 500 car," said Ryan Newman, who has finished first in a Daytona 500 and also once finished on his roof. Thursdays races, scheduled to begin at 7 and 8:45 p.m., are preceded by a pair of practices for the NASCAR Truck Series, which opens its season Friday night.

Every time you turned around Sunday afternoon, another handful of cars were towed off to the land of parting gifts at Daytona International Speedway. 20 of Erik Jones looked like itd been tossed down a mountain into Victory Lane. Hamlin took what was left of his car and pushed what was left of Jones car during the final lap, which seemed as if itd never come. And in a testament to what modern racing has become at Daytona, there were hardly any hard feelings after the multiple episodes of mayhem. The only surprise during pole qualifying was that a Hendrick Motorsports car didnt win the pole for the Daytona 500.

DAYTONA BEACH NASCAR announced some fairly big changes last year for this year. But for the here and now, its the same ol same ol, another season loudly cranked to life at Daytona International Speedway, where NASCAR unfurls the first green and checkered flags of 2020. NASCAR, Daytona and a major corporate benefactor in a nod to yesteryear have returned the original name to Sundays season-opening exhibition: The Busch Clash. Pole qualifying for next Sundays Daytona 500 begins at 12:30 and will cement the two-car front row for the Great American Race. Sundays two fastest qualifiers of those seven will get their Daytona 500 start, regardless of what happens Thursday.

PONCE INLET As the Atlantic Ocean waves lapped the sand and a light breeze blew through thousands of onlookers, classic race cars rumbled past the finish line at the ninth annual Historic North Turn Legends Beach Parade. "Old race cars, old cars and the people who literally drove them are here. [READ MORE: Legends racing parade in Ponce Inlet halted over beach concerns][READ MORE: Historic Legends Beach Parade brings back racing memories][READ MORE: LANE: We need to plan now for a different beach in 2031]Volusia County's beaches are famous for beach driving courtesy of some of the pieces of racing history that roared to life on Saturday. But with the exception of the beach parade, public driving on that stretch of sand hasn't been allowed for decades. France Sr. also drove in the very first beach race in Daytona, too, in 1936, and France said the Legends Beach Parade honors that memory.

Rolex 24 At Daytonas 833 laps over the 3.56-mile course resulted in 2,965.48 miles, easily surpassing the previous record of 808 laps just two years ago at Daytona International Speedway. DAYTONA BEACH With three Rolex 24 victories in the past four years, Wayne Taylors race team has clearly become the gold standard for North Americas biggest endurance event. Taylors Cadillac-powered prototypes have worked harder to win previous races, here and elsewhere, though there was a real touch-and-go moment Sunday morning. "Everybody was all-out," said Taylor, marveling at the numbers as well as his teams good fortune. To know the fastidious nature of race teams, particularly Taylor, is to know they were undoubtedly ready for the long haul.

The 58th running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona roars to life Saturday at Daytona International Speedway. DAYTONA BEACH Hate to interrupt all the fun, but the reason were all here cranks to life about 1:30 Saturday afternoon. Shortly after lunch Saturday, all of the festivities slip under a 24-hour blanket of background noise as the 58th version of the Rolex 24 begins logging miles at Daytona International Speedway. He eventually walked away and was OK.A similar wreck on the opposite side of the track brought a premature end to the days lone 60-minute Rolex 24 practice Friday morning. Regardless of what happens Saturday and Sunday, the 2020 Rolex 24 might eventually be remembered for what happened the day before the big race.

The Rolex 24 at Daytona kicks off in earnest Thursday as all classes take to the 3.56-mile course at Daytona International Speedway. But only a handful will enjoy a full payoff when they hop aboard the podium in Daytona International Speedways elusive Victory Lane. That comes from international racing superstar Fernando Alonso, a two-time Formula One champion and, last year in his second effort, part of a winning Rolex 24 effort. WeatherTech, the car-mat company, sponsors IMSAs highest series, which will race the Rolex 24. Within the WeatherTech Series are four classes of cars: Daytona Prototype international (DPi); Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2); GT Le Mans (GTLM) and GT Daytona (GTD).

Three-time Grammy Award winner Darius Rucker will perform the Daytona 500 pre-race concert prior to the Feb. 16 Great American Race, the Speedway announced Tuesday. Darius is a true American success story and we are proud to welcome him back once again.Fans that purchase Fanzone/pre-race access for the Daytona 500 will be able to view Ruckers Daytona 500 show, plus driver introductions, from the grass tri-oval area. The Speedway is offering a limited number of pre-race concert ticket packages that include a Daytona 500 ticket, Fanzone access and VIP area access for the show. For those currently holding Daytona 500 tickets, a concert upgrade costs $114. The 62nd annual Daytona 500 will be Ruckers fourth appearance at the Speedway and his third as a solo artist.

The 46th annual Daytona Turkey Run returns to Daytona International Speedway for a four-day run. "Very early on it became a Thanksgiving Day tradition," said Jennifer Labonte, director of marketing and public relations for the Daytona Turkey Run. Cushman said he builds cars back home in Maine and the Turkey Run offers a unique opportunity to locate hard-to-find parts. This years Turkey Run was the first for Eriksson, who arrived from Sweden the night before. Sipinski said he came down from up north to visit friends in Port Orange and go to the Turkey Run.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. - As early as Saturday morning, power crews from around the country rolled into Florida Power and Light's staging center at the Daytona International Speedway. FPL is pre-positioning crews and trucks at the Speedway in anticipation of large-scale power outages across Florida. FPL President and CEO Eric Silagy was at the Speedway on Saturday afternoon to welcome the crews. FPL said it is assembling a force of 18,000 to restore power in Florida as soon as Hurricane Dorian passes. Power companies routinely share resources in advance of and after a natural disaster to restore power faster.

As early as Saturday morning, power crews from around the country rolled into Florida Power and Light's staging center at the Daytona International Speedway. Copyright 2019 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.

Daytona International Speedway a bombing target as inmate says he's allied with ISIS; White House, Pentagon also on list Volusia sheriff's deputies say. A Volusia County jail inmate notified authorities of his desire to join ISIS and detonate bombs inside various government buildings, an airport, a local courthouse and two major sports facilities, including the Daytona International Speedway, deputies said. Ethan Russell, 18, an inmate at the Volusia County Branch Jail, who has been behind bars since March on burglary charges, was charged Tuesday with one count of written threats to kill or do bodily injury. On July 9, Russell handed a jail officers a note detailing his plans to join ISIS and bomb seven locations, Sheriff's Office spokesman Andrew Gant said. Deputies said Russell had a juvenile criminal record, but had no felony or misdemeanor convictions.

The Welcome to Rockville concert is moving south on I-95 to Daytona Beach after being in Jacksonville for nine years. The three-day rock concert is scheduled for May 8-10 at Daytona International Speedway, the concert organizers announced on Twitter. Officials said the event's lineup would be announced in the coming months, so stay tuned. Welcome to Rockville is relocating to Daytona Beach, FL! The 2020 festival will be held May 8, 9, + 10 at the Daytona International Speedway.

A 500-1 longshot making just his third career Cup start, Haley won the rain-postponed, rain-shortened race at Daytona on Sunday. He inherited the lead after a 17-car accident decimated the field and a lightning strike forced NASCAR to stop the race. "I had no expectation to win this race," said Haley, admitting he'd have quickly been passed for the lead if the race resumed. They needed the huge accident, Busch's decision to pit and then yet another heavy rainstorm to become winners in their 17th Cup race. KESELOWSKI CRASH: Brad Keselowski has crashed out of five of his last six Cup races at Daytona.