Slumping attendance sees Daytona eliminate a massive 33% of seats

Daytona International Speedway on Tuesday announced a major rebuilding project costing up to $400 million and targeting the front-straight seats, but part of the development will be the elimination of the “Superstretch" seating on the back straight, reducing total track capacity by about one-third by 2016. Nothing changes for 2014, however.

The front-stretch seats will be upgraded significantly, Chitwood said. Every seat in the Speedway front stretch will be replaced with wider and more comfortable seats. Additionally, more restrooms and concession stands, as well as escalators and elevators, will be added. At the conclusion of the redevelopment, scheduled for the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona in January of 2016, Daytona International Speedway will be comprised of approximately 101,000 permanent seats, with the potential to increase permanent seating to 125,000. Current capacity is listed at 146,000 seats with the backstretch accounting for 45,000.