Daytona International Speedway LED lighting comprehensive upgrade

Article posted by Coliseum, June 10^th, 2026

Image: NASCAR

The Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, United States, recently announced a transformative, venue-wide light emitting diode (LED) lighting project that will introduce the next generation of lighting technology to the ‘World Center of Racing’ thus marking the next step in how motorsports are experienced by the fans, the competitors and the viewers around the world.

The project officially began in April and is expected to be completed in January 2027 and the comprehensive upgrade will create visually compelling moments.

Visually Engaging Moments

‘NASCAR’ stated that in collaboration with Musco the Daytona International Speedway will install LED lighting across all the existing oval track high mast pole-mounted fixtures, the road course, infield, pit box and emergency lighting systems. The project will also feature LED Red, Green and Blue (RGB) accent lighting on the track light poles synchronized with the caution light system as well as uplighting for the upper-level underside of the grandstand seating – creating dynamic, visually engaging moments throughout the race events.

The 167,785-capacity Daytona International Speedway is a race track in Daytona Beach, Florida, United States, about 50 mi (80 km) North of Orlando. Since opening in 1959 it has been the home of the Daytona 500, the most prestigious race in the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) as well as its season opening event.

Florida (US)-based the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, LLC (NASCAR) is an American auto racing sanctioning and operating company that is best known for stock car racing. It is considered to be one of the top-ranked motorsports organizations in the world and is one of the largest spectator sports leagues in America.

Oskaloosa (US)-based the Musco Sports Lighting has focused on the design and manufacture of sports and transportation/infrastructure lighting systems, from the hometown Little League® fields to the professional sports stadiums and the ports around the globe. A privately-owned company with a heritage of innovation Musco has created lighting solutions in over 125 countries.

‘Visually Compelling Moments’

Said Ben Kennedy, Chief Operating Officer (COO), NASCAR, “The new LED lighting system at the Daytona International Speedway underscores NASCAR’s continued commitment to reinvest in its facilities thus enhancing the overall experience for the fans attending events at Daytona as well as those watching around the world. The project will create new, visually compelling moments that drive fan engagement, elevate partner visibility and generate excitement across the sport.”

Comprehensive Upgrade

‘NASCAR’ further stated that this comprehensive upgrade represents more than a modernization – it is a generational leap that reinforces the Daytona International Speedway’s legacy of innovation while positioning the iconic venue to lead motorsports into its next chapter.

‘Immersive Atmosphere’

Added Frank Kelleher, President, Daytona International Speedway, “The Daytona Speedway has long set the standard for the motorsports venues and this project ensures we continue to do so for the next generation of race fans. From enhanced visibility for the drivers to a more immersive atmosphere for the fans in the stands and watching at home we are proud to partner with Musco for this new LED lighting system that will transform the racing experience.”

The new Musco LED lighting system will deliver brighter, more consistent illumination across the facility significantly improving visibility for the competitors and the race teams, enhancing the in-person fan experience and elevating the broadcast quality for the global audiences. Additionally, the new lights are expected to reduce energy consumption by approximately 50 percent thus supporting NASCAR Impact’s broader goal of achieving net zero operating emissions by 2035.

‘Exciting LED Solutions’

Remarked Jeff Rogers, Musco head honcho, “We’re excited to partner with NASCAR to relight the iconic Daytona facility. We installed the original system in 1998 and appreciate our longstanding relationship to deliver exciting new LED solutions for the drivers, television and the fans.”

Legacy of Innovation

Since breaking ground in November 1957 and opening with the inaugural DAYTONA 500 in February 1959 the Daytona Speedway has been synonymous with NASCAR’s most defining moments. The track once again raised the bar in 1998 when it installed lights thus becoming the largest lighted outdoor sports facility in North America at the time with the Coke Zero Sugar 400 serving as its first night race.

‘Daytona Rising’

From 2013 to 2016 the $400 million ‘Daytona Rising’ redevelopment reimagined the facility as a world-class motorsports stadium. The new LED lighting project continues that tradition of reinvestment thus ensuring the venue remains at the forefront of innovation for the generations of fans.

Industry-leading Technology

Through its partnership with Musco, a global leader in sports lighting for 50 years, the facility will become the largest sports facility in the world to feature Musco’s state-of-the-art LED lighting system – and the first major motorsports facility in North America to do so.

Musco’s lighting solutions, known for innovations in glare reduction and precise light control, are utilized across a wide range of venues, from the local fields to the premier global sporting events including the National Football League (NFL) and the Major League Baseball (MLB) stadiums, the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Hockey League (NHL) arenas, the collegiate facilities, and the Olympic Games.

The addition of RGB lighting – capable of producing more than 16.7 million color combinations – will allow for synchronized lighting effects tied to the race action and cautions, creating new opportunities for fan engagement, partner integration, and broadcast storytelling.

Upcoming Race Events

NASCAR returns to the ‘World Center of Racing’ for intense action as the NASCAR Cup Series (the premier stock car racing division in North America) closes out the regular season during the Coke Zero Sugar 400 (an annual NASCAR Cup Series stock car race) on August 29^th. The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (the NASCAR’s premier second-tier national division) will compete in the Wawa 250 Powered by Coca-Cola (an annual 250-mile NASCAR Xfinity Series stock car race) on August 28^th.

The 65^th running of the Rolex 24 (North America’s premier sports car endurance race) will take place from January 28^th-31^st, 2027, preceded by the Roar Before the Rolex 24 (the official, mandatory pre-season test session and dress rehearsal for the International Motor Sports Association [IMSA] WeatherTech SportsCar Championship) from January 22^nd-24^th, 2027.

The 69^th running of the Daytona 500 is scheduled for February 21^st, 2027.

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