Drivers blown away by changes at Daytona

The most iconic venue in motor sports has been completely transformed from a race track into one of the most impressive stadiums in the world. Daytona International Speedway looks nothing like it did when it first opened in 1959.

Fast forward 47 years later and Daytona now features 17 new elevators and 40 escalators that will allow fans to navigate the concourse much easier. Those new features are just a few of the renovations that were part of the Daytona Rising program.

The tab for all of the renovations came to $400 million. Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood said from day one that selling out the Daytona 500 was the goal. Wednesday, Daytona International Speedway officials announced that all 101,000 seats have been sold.

The brand new Daytona has also caught the eye of the drivers who will take the wheel at the Great American Race.

“The track itself isn’t much different,” said Jamie McMurray who won the Daytona 500 in 2010. “But overall the renovations are amazing. Fans are going to be treated to the best stadium in the world.”

Joey Logano won the Daytona 500 in 2015 and said that more race tracks should model the changes that have been made at Daytona. Even though he was the last person to get his named engraved on the Harley J. Earl trophy, he isn’t going to rely on past success.

"We aren't satisfied with just one, we want more,” said Logano at Daytona 500 media day.

Logano was just 19-years old when he won his first Sprint Series Cup race. During media day all eyes were on Chase Elliot, who at 20-years old is the youngest person to ever claim the poll for the Daytona 500. Wise beyond his years Elliot isn’t buying into his own hype.

"It's more important for me to learn more than where we start on Sunday,” said Elliot.