This year’s premiere NASCAR event showed a typically traditional sport, in the midst of change. The drivers were still paraded in front of the throngs of their loyal fans. The air still smelled of gasoline and sunscreen, and was filled with the sound of souped-up engines revving the throttle as the drivers waited for the magic words, “Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines.” Embedded in the decades long tradition, was the feeling of transition; a changing of the old guard. Out with the old and in with the new.

Jeff Gordon is one of the names that managed to transcend the sport. The driver who has been a force to reckon with for over two decades, made the decision to retire of the offseason, sending ripples of shock throughout the entire racing world. Having compiled four NASCAR Cup Series champions and 3 Daytona 500 wins (totaling 92 wins in the Sprint Cup Series) over 23 years, Gordon has seen the sport transform from a niche following to a national viewership. He has even witnessed the changing of the series name three times (Winston, Nextel and Sprint).

The fan favorite who was christened, “The Wonder Boy” by NASCAR, legendary Dale Earnhardt, Jr., began his Sprint Cup career at the age of 20 and will become one of the senior drivers by the time he retires as a 44-year-old. That’s not to say that Gordon has missed a step in the waning years of his career, finishing sixth in the point standings at the end of the 2014 season. Gordon even started this year’s race on the pole position, leading the pack for a race-best 87 laps, but finished 33rd due to a final lap collision.
It was 24-year-old Joey Logano, car number 22, who found himself in victory lane at the “Great American Race.”

During a post-race interview with FOX Sports’ Jamie Little, Gordon said, “This was an amazing week and an amazing day… yeah, right now I’m a little bit sad this is my final Daytona 500, but I’m more upset we didn’t have a shot at winning there at the end.”

The retirement of one of the sport’s most prolific racers overshadowed the changes that the actual venue offered. Daytona International Speedway hosts a number of racing events and has been considered one of (if not THE) finest venues in the racing community. However, nothing escapes the withering of time and the race track is no different.
Improvements to the grandstands have already begun, showcasing the installation of an ambitious $400,000,000 renovation.

The project will culminate into 101,000 new seats, twice the amount of restrooms and three times as many concession stands, according to the Daytona International Speedway website. The track’s facelift will also include 60 revamped luxury suites and upgraded concourses for more interaction between the fans.
So far, the improvements have drawn nothing but praise from those who attended, with the addition of escalators to each level as the early fan favorite.

While the changes are welcomed, NASCAR knows its fan base and understands that while attempting to expand their following, they need to be true to their traditions. Offering “fan zone experiences,” those in attendance had the ability to walk on to the front lawn of the race track where musician Kid Rock performed.
Performing two of his more popular songs, All Summer Long and Bawitdaba, while also debuting the single, First Kiss, from his new album of the same name, Kid Rock had the venue rocking. The “fan zone” also offered the ability for fans to write their names on the white boundary lines of the track and a spot on the track as the parade of drivers commenced.

The race track also offers fans an opportunity to camp out on the infield with their own personal recreation vehicles. This allows fans to have an up close and personal view of the drivers’ crews and mobile garages. Die-hard fans can be found camping out all three days of the festivities that the Speedway has to offer, leading the infield to look like tiny tribes that settle with their own clique villages.

Time stops for no one and it always manages to leave a ton of change in its wake. A titan of racing may be leaving, but NASCAR and the Daytona International Speedway are ready for another half-century of racing by the beach.