DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Daytona International Speedway is installing LED lighting in and around the famed 2 1/2-mile track that is expected to create “dynamic, visually engaging moments throughout race events.”
In collaboration with Musco, the speedway will install LED lighting on mast poles around the oval and on the road course as well as inside the infield and on pit road. Emergency lights also will be LEDs, and the project will feature LED accent lighting that will synchronize with caution lights.
“The new LED lighting system at Daytona International Speedway underscores NASCAR’s continued commitment to reinvest in its facilities, enhancing the overall experience for fans attending events at Daytona as well as those watching around the world,” NASCAR chief operating officer Ben Kennedy said. “The project will create new, visually compelling moments that drive fan engagement, elevate partner visibility and generate excitement across the sport.”
The upgrade will deliver brighter, more consistent illumination across the facility, significantly improving visibility for competitors and race teams, enhancing the in-person fan experience, and elevating television broadcast quality. Additionally, the new lights are expected to reduce energy consumption by approximately 50%, supporting NASCAR's goal of achieving net zero operating emissions by 2035.
The project, the first renovation at Daytona since NASCAR's $400 million “Daytona Rising” overhaul, is expected to be completed in January 2027.
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FILE - Cars move during the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Feb. 15, 2026, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/David Graham, File)
Philadelphia Eagles edge rusher Nolan Smith Jr. was arrested last week in Georgia for driving 135 mph in a 70 mph zone, authorities said.
Smith, who played at Georgia, was cited for speeding and reckless driving, the Twiggs County Sheriff’s Office said on Thursday.
He posted bond and was released shortly after his arrest on May 15.
Smith, from Savannah, Georgia, was selected by the Eagles with the 30th pick in the 2023 NFL draft. He has 25 quarterback hits, 10.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries over three seasons.
He played a crucial role in the Eagles' Super Bowl LIX run, recording five quarterback hits, four sacks and four tackles for loss during the playoffs. He famously refused to exit the Eagles' 40-22 Super Bowl victory against the Kansas City Chiefs despite sustaining a torn triceps that later required surgery.
Philadelphia begins organized team activities on Tuesday. Smith has a court date scheduled for July 15, but a sheriff’s office representative said he will not need to appear if he pays his fines.
A spokesperson for the Eagles didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press.
Smith is the latest former or current Georgia player to be arrested for driving offenses. His Eagles teammate, Jalen Carter, was given 12 months’ probation and a $1,000 fine in 2023 after pleading no contest to misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing related to a crash that killed Bulldogs offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy.
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FILE - Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nolan Smith Jr. (3) looks on after an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr., File)
