NASCAR Cup Series

Daytona still trying to get on track

Published Jul. 1, 2010 1:00 a.m. ET

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Will Saturday night’s race be a repeat of the Daytona 500?

On Thursday night workers were diligently attempting to repair the track near the patch between Turns One and Two, which was formed during February’s debacle that halted action twice for a total of 2 hours and 25 minutes as asphalt crumbled from the surface.

According to fans camped near the patch, workers appeared prior to the first Nationwide Series practice Thursday morning.

Johnny Grainger, 57, of Deltona said representatives from Daytona International Speedway explained the workers were covering the patch with concrete and then grinding the surface around a square area where the cars were bottoming out throughout the practice sessions. Grainger added that the workers returned shortly after Happy Hour ended around 8 p.m. By 10 p.m., 11 vehicles along with a trailer surrounded the area as workers continued to address it.

Although track officials denied there was any problem with the surface and NASCAR representatives were unaware of any issues, from the infield fence there was clearly visible a three- to four-foot hole near the patched area.

Daytona's public relations office released a statement Friday morning, which read:

"During an inspection by our team of engineers following yesterday’s track activity, an area of approximately one-foot tall by 4 1/2-feet long in Turn 2 was repaired as a precautionary measure. Our track inspections will continue throughout the weekend and we will make any other repairs deemed necessary. The event schedule was not impacted and the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series cars were on track this morning at 8 a.m. as scheduled."

Daytona officials have already announced plans to repave the 2.5-mile track immediately following this weekend's events.
 

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