In the News

Racing Trivia

Photo Gallery

Credits

Ransom E. Olds built the Oldsmobile Pirate that he brought to Ormond Beach in 1903.

The car, driven by one of Olds´ company engineers, Horace T. Thomas, was one of the first cars to set a record on Daytona´s beach, setting a land speed record for a car of its size.

In developing the Pirate, Olds´ emphasis was on creating a lightweight machine with its skeleton frame and torpedo-like fuel tanks.

As technology has evolved, so have the aerodynamics of the modern-day race car that can be seen racing in Daytona Beach.

Traveling a long way from establishing land speed records, automobile racing has taken a different turn. Now, due west of the sands where racing began, sleek-bodied stock cars race on the high banks of Daytona International Speedway.

Men like 2002 Daytona 500 champion Ward Burton, in the No. 22 Dodge, bump and weave to be the first to the finish line of NASCAR´s most prestigious event.

1903-1909
– The world of racing evolves
– The beaches give birth to speed
– In their own words -- Frank Zimmerman

1910-1919:
– Beach races wane, then DePalma turns tide
– In their own words -- Bob Latford

1920-1929:
– With great speeds come greatest sacrifice
– Few remember greatest tragedy
– In their own words -- Joe Epton

1930-1939:
– Bluebirds soar, then Big Bill joins show
– In their own words -- Tom Galloway

1940-1949:
– Atop a hotel comes lofty idea: NASCAR
– In their own words -- Bill France

1950-1959:
– France introduces the racing world to tri-oval
– In their own words -- Juanita Lightning Epton
– In their own words -- Chris Economaki
– In their own words -- Ralph Johnson

1960-1969:
– Sometimes a change requires a fallen star
– In their own words -- Marvin Panch
– In their own words -- Robert Yates
– In their own words -- Kyle Petty

1970-1979:
– Welcome, America, to the world of racin´
– In their own words -- Eddie Wood

1980-1989:
– After 200 mph, time to rein in the horses
– In their own words -- Cigar Joe Frobe

1990-present:
– Earnhardt and Daytona will be forever linked
– In their own words -- Jeff Gordon

Special Report: 100 YEARS OF RACING
Traveling a long way from establishing land speed records, automobile racing has taken a different turn. Now, due west of the sands where racing began, sleek-bodied stock cars race on the high banks of Daytona International Speedway.