Motor racing fans can enjoy a world-class spectator experience at one of America’s most famous tracks, thanks to a new mile-long grandstand built on our quality foundations.
Daytona International Speedway hosts the most prestigious event in the NASCAR calendar: the Daytona 500. NASCAR stock-car racing is one of America’s favourite sports, with thousands of fans flocking to Daytona Beach, Florida every year for the exhilarating 500-mile race.
The famous speedway was built in 1959 and, as well as NASCAR, hosts a wide range of other motor sport events. Yet despite some minor renovations over the years, it wasn’t until the 2013 that the venue underwent a major $400 million redevelopment project – called Daytona Rising.
The scheme promised to transform the spectator experience with improved facilities and more comfortable, contemporary seating with better sight lines and entrances.
Barton Malow was selected as main contractor but needed ground engineering expertise for the foundations for the new 101,500-seater front-stretch grandstand.
A second chance
Keller Company, HJ Foundation was awarded the contract with a guaranteed price and schedule. With no time to waste, a surveyor was on site a few days later and work began the same month.
“The work involved installing 2,500 18-inch-by-40ft auger cast piles,” explains Regional Manager Mike Smith. “The biggest challenge on the project was managing the logistics and aggressive scheduling to get everything done on time. We followed the demolition contractor on site and the concrete work followed us, so we had to make sure we had enough room in front of us to remain productive, while releasing areas to keep the contractor working and a safe distance from us.
“There were also a few high-priority areas, so we had to establish enough of a buffer zone to work on the urgent areas temporarily and return without impacting on the contractor’s operation.”
‘The client was thrilled’
Despite the logistical intricacies, HJ’s meticulous planning and efficient execution meant we finished on time, within two months, and to an exceptional standard.
“Our crews were top notch, they did everything we asked and the client was thrilled,” says Mike. “What the success of this job came down to was our outstanding attitude toward efficiency and production. We’re always incredibly process oriented and absolutely relentless in terms of continuous improvement and making our processes as efficient as they can be. And we’ve proved that once again on this prestigious project. Daytona Speedway is another successful project for HJ Foundation with a guaranteed price and schedule.”