Lost Speedways Season 2 Episode 1 Daytona Beach and Road Course: Origins

In the season 2 premiere of Lost Speedways, host Dale Earnhardt Jr. takes viewers on a journey back to the origins of Daytona Beach and its road course. The episode begins with historical footage of beach racing in the early 1900s, where daring drivers would race their cars along the sandy shores of Daytona Beach. Earnhardt Jr. provides insight into the early days of racing, when the sport was still in its infancy and safety measures were non-existent. As the episode progresses, viewers learn about the development of the Daytona Beach Road Course, which was used from 1936 to 1958. The course was an intricate and dangerous mix of paved and unpaved roads, and racers often had to navigate around obstacles like telephone poles and sand dunes. Earnhardt Jr. interviews racing legends like Bobby Allison, Ray Fox Jr., and Hershel McGriff to gain a deeper understanding of what it was like to race on the Daytona Beach Road Course. He also speaks with local historians and experts on the subject, who provide fascinating anecdotes and insights into the course's history. The episode dives into the challenges that racers faced on the road course, such as its narrow width and lack of barriers, which made crashes and accidents all too common. Despite the dangers, however, drivers like Allison, Fox Jr., and McGriff all speak of their fondness for the course and the thrill of racing on it. The episode also explores the impact that the Daytona Beach Road Course had on the larger racing world. It was a proving ground for young drivers, who would hone their skills on the course before moving onto larger tracks. It also attracted big-name drivers like Bill France, who would go on to found NASCAR. Overall, Lost Speedways' season 2 premiere is an engaging and informative look at the origins of Daytona Beach and its road course. With its mix of historical footage, interviews with racing legends, and insights from local experts, the episode provides a comprehensive and fascinating look at one of racing's most iconic venues.