Waltrip brothers help repave speedway

A couple of all-star NASCAR drivers were plowing-up the track at Daytona International Speedway Monday.

But they weren't behind the wheel of a Chevy, Dodge or Toyota.

Darrell and Michael Waltrip had the honors of being the first two all-star NASCAR driver to plow into the track, ripping up a portion of Turn 1.

In doing so, it started a 6-month period of uncertainty at the World Center of Racing.

"Boogity, boogity, boogity!" said Darrell Waltrip. "Let's tear the hell out of this place!"

With that, he plunged an excavating bucket into the asphalt of Turn 1.

It also puts an end to racing at the track where NASCAR holds a two of its biggest races.

Tuesday, heavy equipment takes over to strip everything down to the limestone base Bill France, Sr. helped lay out more than 50 years ago.

We know if you build it, they will come. But if you tear it apart, will they still come?"

Quite an industry has been made of events outside the normal racing calendar.

The plan is to keep the track open so everyone can see for themselves the massive undertaking this $20 million project is.

"This will be interesting to see what the fans, how many turn out," said Robin Braig, track president. "Today, our tours are full. We're noticing the websites are increasing, website hits are increasing. We've got a webcam that we're gonna keep track of which our fans have said they look forward to seeing it."

They've already decided to move a motorcycle race held during October's Biketoberfest to Homestead-Miami Speedway which is also owned by International Speedway Corporation.

And the Richard Petty Driving Experience will be halted.

As for what should await drivers and fans early next year, Michael Waltrip is excited.

"There's a couple of things," said Michael Waltrip, two-time Daytona 500 Winner People say they don't need to repave it. It's falling apart, they've got to pave it so get over that part. And racing is, racing will be crazy here next year."

It's just a sight like this for many race fans is crazy...watching chunks of history slide down the 31-degree bank.

Fans can get a chunk fo the track of their own.

Daytona 500 ticket holders, if you renew your racing packages for next year, you'll get a chunk of asphalt.

Jostens, the company better known for yearbooks and class rings will sell chunks as well.

And listening to a lot of the drivers in town for the Coke Zero 400 a few weeks ago, they're looking for pieces from the start/finish line.

But with 2.5 miles of track behind me, there's plenty to go around.