Daytona flood...

[Schwartz Fan]

Daytona Speedway partially flooded
By David Newton
ESPN.com
Archive

The more than 17 inches of rainfall that has fallen in Daytona Beach, Fla., since Sunday has left portions of Daytona International Speedway under water.

Pictures show water levels halfway up the SAFER (Steel and Foam Energy Reduction) barriers in some portions of the track. The Turn 1 tunnel that haulers use to enter the track is filled with about 10 feet of water.

Track spokesman Andrew Booth said there is no apparent damage and the track will be ready for the July 4 Sprint Cup race.

"It's a significant amount of water, but all it is, is water,'" Booth said. "We have people living around the speedway and in Flagler County with water in their homes. We believe that is more pressing than water in our tunnel.

"What happened will not affect what happens in July.'"

NASCAR officials have seen photos of the track and are not concerned about damage. They said no special test will be scheduled to help rubber in the surface.

But until the water level has dropped, Booth said there is no way to know for sure there is no damage.

"The pictures are very dramatic,'' he said. "It's not a sight you usually see. We'll be good to go in July.'"

Daytona International Speedway track, tunnel partly flooded - ESPN

[Schwartz Fan]

[24n48fan]

Anybody wanna go swimming at a race track?

[24n48fan]

here's NASCAR.com's version of it:

Heavy rain leaves parts of Daytona track under water
Officials say bigger concern is with community, residents

Persistent rains falling on Daytona Beach, Fla., has parts of Daytona International Speedway under water, however, track officials say it will not affect NASCAR's race weekend in July.

Circulating photos show water reaching halfway up the SAFER barriers in some areas of the speedway and the Turn 1 tunnel is filled more than halfway with water.

As for long-term damage to the track's surface, speedway representative Andrew Booth said for now it is not an issue.

"Like much of the surrounding area, we've received a significant amount of rainfall in recent days," he said. "There has been no significant damage at the speedway from the rain but we have had some ponding of water.

"There are a lot of houses and streets that are flooded in our community from our rainfall and we believe that is more of pressing news story than water in our tunnel."

According to local reports, the Volusia County Council declared a state of emergency in the area in light of the historic rainfall amounts recorded (22 to 27 inches) in parts of Volusia and Flagler counties since Sunday when heavy rain began falling.

More rain is expected to fall Friday.

NASCAR.COM - Heavy rain leaves parts of Daytona track under water - May 22, 2009

[revvinjim]

I would say Lake Lloyd is full.

[Schwartz Fan]

Video - WFTV