DAYTONA BEACH - Daytona International Speedway will begin a multimillion-dollar renovation of its infield later this year in hopes of making one of NASCAR's most famed tracks a little more fan friendly, officials said Wednesday.
Construction will include a "fan zone" to be flanked by two new garages for the Nextel Cup Series and Busch Series. A "Victory Lane Club" will allow fan access to that area after a race.
The renovation work is to begin after the July3 running of the Pepsi 400 and end in time for World Karting Association events in December. The project will not alter the layout of the infield track.
Other additions include an expansion of the existing media center and a tunnel under Turn 1 for team transport vehicles and specialty vehicles.
F1 TEST: Reigning Indy Racing League champion Scott Dixon is scheduled for a pair of tests with the BMW Williams Formula One team.
With former CART champion and Indianapolis 500 winner Juan Pablo Montoya leaving Williams for Team McLaren in 2005, team principal Frank Williams has to find a replacement. He plans to take a good look at the Chip Ganassi Racing driver.
Dixon, 23, is scheduled to test Friday at the Paul Ricard circuit in France to familiarize himself with the team's FW26, then return for a three-day test at Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona in April.
"Scott is clearly very talented, and it will be fascinating to see how he performs in a Formula One car," Williams said.
Ganassi and Williams have a long-standing relationship, with Williams recommending Alex Zanardi and Montoya to Ganassi and both drivers later returning to Europe to drive for Williams after winning CART championships.
Dixon got off to a bad start in the IRL, crashing out of the season-opener in Homestead. But he came back to finish second to winner Tony Kanaan on Sunday in Phoenix. The next race is April 17 in Motegi, Japan.
