There will be a second UNOH Battle at the Beach, but that’s about all NASCAR is saying about that topic at this point in time.
NASCAR Modified Tour cars line up for the running of the Battle at the Beach last February at Daytona International Speedway (Photo: Getty Images for NASCAR)
Reached Monday afternoon, NASCAR spokesman Jason Christley said: “Yes, there will be an UNOH Battle at the Beach in 2014.”
“We’re putting the finishing touches on next year’s event,” Christley said.
But that was as far as Christley would go in releasing any details concerning the event.
An Autoweek.com report on Sunday, citing no sources, said the event would return to Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 17-18, 2014. Christley said he doesn’t know where Autoweek got the information to run the report.
The Battle at the Beach debuted last year as a showcase for NASCAR sanctioned grassroots short track racing. Three races were held on a temporarily configured track built on the backstretch of the 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway. The event featured a Whelen All-American Series Late Model type event, a Modified event and a K&N Pro Series event.
Asked if the 2014 event would be in Daytona Christley said he couldn’t comment on the site of the event at this point in time. Christley also said he couldn’t comment on possible dates or event formats.
Of late, many rumors pointed to the possibility of the event moving to New Smyrna Speedway in New Smyrna, Fla. which annually hosts its weeklong “World Series” event during Speedweeks. New Smyrna Speedway, which is about a half hour from Daytona, recently became a NASCAR sanctioned track.
I hope it’s not on the backstretch of the Daytona International Speedway. that event was an embarrassment to auto racing. It would be better if it took place somewhere on a real half mile track. My vote would be bristol motor speedway. The sprint cup may be boring but the Mods at Bristol is out standing.
There are at least a half dozen parking lots near the track that would make better “race tracks” than what NASCAR conceived last year. Of course the track designed proved to be better than the officiating that was provided for that race.
Have it at New Smyrna Speedway Next year