DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Thirty-three pounds of explosives demolished the backstretch tower at the Daytona International Speedway Thursday morning.
The demolition is part of the ongoing $400 million Daytona Rising project.
Officials with the Speedway said it used explosives because it was the safest and most cost-effective method to bring the tower down. The Speedway was also granted permits from FAA and Volusia County for the demolition.
The 140 foot structural steel tower was built in 1997 and is the last significant piece of the backstretch to be torn down.
"I saw it go up and I saw it come down and it was a great feeling, because progress is being made," said Juanita "Lightning" Epton.
Epton has been working for the ticket office since 1958 and is well known at Daytona International Speedway. Epton said she can hardly wait for the renovation project to be completed.
Speedway officials said by moving all the seating to the frontstretch, visitors will now have the opportunity to enjoy a full race day experience. The DAYTONA Rising project is expected to be finished by the beginning of January, 2016.