By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- In anticipation of the 2022 points-race debut of NASCAR’s ‘Next Gen’ car in the Daytona 500, race fans can visit iconic Daytona International Speedway on Tuesday, Jan. 11, to get a ‘FREE’ first look at the machines that will bring the stock car look back to NASCAR, say track officials.
The NASCAR Cup season starts with the 64th annual Daytona 500 on Feb. 20.
The World Center of Racing will be open to fans during the first day of what will be a two-day test session for the NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen cars on Daytona’s 31-degree banking.
Fans will be able to witness the action from noon to 8 p.m. ET p.m. ET in select frontstretch seating as well as the infield UNOH Fanzone which will allow an up-close look at the teams as they prepare the cars to go on track. Both parking and admission will be free of charge.
For frontstretch seating, fans will park in the midway (accessible from Turn 1 Drive) and enter the venue at the Axalta Injector. For those going to the UNOH Fanzone, they will enter at Gate 40 off of Williamson Blvd. and follow signage to the infield parking areas and entrance to the UNOH Fanzone. Guests can pre-register to save time at the gates by logging onto https://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/next-gen-test.
“With the level of excitement and energy around the Next Gen cars competing during Daytona Speedweeks Presented By AdventHealth and the 64th annual Daytona 500, the January 11th test will offer a special, free preview event for our local community, as well as for loyal, diehard fans from all over the country,” Daytona International Speedway President Frank Kelleher said.
“It’s a great way for them to see these historical race cars plus experience our iconic Speedway. It will be such a rewarding feeling to see fans from our area – as well as those who travel to Daytona to get a sneak peek."
“With the level of excitement and energy around the Next Gen cars competing during Daytona Speedweeks Presented By AdventHealth and the 64th annual Daytona 500, the January 11th test will offer a special, free preview event for our local community, as well as for loyal, diehard fans from all over the country,”said Daytona International Speedway President Frank Kelleher (shown here/Nascar.com pic). “It’s a great way for them to see these historical race cars plus experience our iconic Speedway. It will be such a rewarding feeling to see fans from our area – as well as those who travel to Daytona to get a sneak peek."
The January Daytona test will mark the second time the Next-Gen car has been on the 2.5-mile asphalt as Daytona’s initial test for the anticipated cars was held earlier this year in September.
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About the Byline Writer: Henry Frederick is a member of the working press and publisher of Headline Surfer, the award-winning 24/7 internet news outlet launched in 2008, that serves greater Daytona Beach, Sanford & Orlando from Lake Mary, Florida via HeadlineSurfer.com. Frederick has amassed close to 150 award-winning bylines in print & online. He earned his Master of Arts in New Media Journalism from Full Sail University in 2019. He was a breaking news reporter (metro cops & courts beat) for the Daytona Beach News-Journal for nearly a decade. And Before that worked the same beat for The Journal-News/Gannett Suburban Newspapers in Rockland/Westchester counties, NY, dating back to 1989. Having witnessed the execution of serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Florida's death chamber and covering other high profile cases, Frederick has appeared on national crime documentary shows on Discovery ID, Reelz, and the Oxygen Network series "Snapped" for his analysis. • Award-Winning Journalism: Florida Press Club recognizes Headline Surfer for nine stories in 2020 statewide competition. • Award-Winning Journalism of Henry Frederick.