DAYTONA BEACH -- Race officials have dropped the price of approximately 4,000 tickets to the Daytona 500 to $55.
The NASCAR ban on testing is essentially a loss of revenue for NASCAR sanctioned tracks, such as the Daytona International Speedway, plus to nearby businesses.
However, one track's loss is another's gain.
Worried that fewer race fans may come to watch the Daytona 500, the track made a bold move to roll back prices for this year's ticket.
"We're dropping our prices to 1995 levels. Fifty-five dollars for our Superstretch ticket, with limited quantities. But we understand what the economy is doing to our race guests,” said Robin Braig, the president of Daytona International Speedway.
Guests said cheaper ticket will entice them to come.
"Oh I believe it will. It'll, you know, make a different. Every time you can save some money somewhere, you can use it somewhere else," said Dan Woodburn, a fan.
Braig said even bookings of luxury corporate suites are down 10 percent.
The speedway is also getting less revenue from drivers who would normally be testing Friday.
On Nov. 14, 2008, NASCAR imposed a ban on testing at its sanctioned tracks.
Fewer drivers mean fewer hotel bookings in hotels, like the Quality Inn across from the speedway.
"I say from last year we're down about 30 percent just cause of the testing that has been canceled," said Rupesh Patel, the hotel’s owner.
Drivers said they need to test and are willing to pay expensive track fees.
Meanwhile, they're taking their dollars to the New Smyrna Speedway.
"We have picked up on a lot of NASCAR testing dates. A lot of teams have tested here in the past. We've just added a lot more dates because of the rule change," said Kimberly Brown, operations manager at the New Smyrna Speedway.
Testing is expected to resume on Tuesday, with drivers such as Tony Stewart, Joey Lagano, Mark Martin, Clint Bowyer and others scheduled to arrive next week.
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