DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Welcome to Rockville, one of America’s premier rock music festivals, will call Daytona International Speedway home for the next decade, announced in a press conference at the track on Friday (8/22).
Danny Wimmer, founder of Danny Wimmer Presents, joined Daytona International Speedway President Frank Kelleher to confirm the long-term partnership that will keep the four-day festival at the “World Center of Racing” through 2036. The event has been hosted at Daytona since 2021, after moving from Jacksonville.
“This is a marriage, you’re not going anywhere,” Kelleher said. “At least for the next ten years; We’re excited to get this party started.”
Wimmer praised Daytona’s infrastructure as a world-class venue for a large-scale music event. The flow of traffic and ease of access make the track an ideal facility for a large-scale music festival.
“It begins and ends with parking; this venue provides the opportunity for people to get into the shade,” Wimmer said. “There could not be a better place to host a music festival. We’re so proud of what we have achieved together.”
Welcome to Rockville drew approximately 60,000 fans per day in May, featuring a lineup of top rock and metal acts. Wimmer added that even legendary bands such as Metallica have been impressed by Daytona’s scale and history.
“This is one of those iconic stadiums. A lot of those bands want to drive it and feel it,” Wimmer said. “Rockville is becoming THE rock festival—possibly one of the top 10 in America.”
In an effort to cross-pollinate between NASCAR and music, NASCAR Cup Series driver Carson Hocevar will carry the Welcome to Rockville branding on his No.77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet. Wimmer said Hocevar, known for his aggressive racing style and love of rock bands like Three Days Grace, embodies the spirit of rock n roll by not caring what others think of him.
“Danny’s mission is to turn this from the world center of racing into the world center of rock,” Kelleher joked.
The France family, which owns NASCAR, is also exploring opportunities to expand Danny Wimmer Presents festivals to other racetracks across the country.
“You might think this is a country crowd, but this is a big rock crowd out here,” Wimmer said. “My relationship with the France family means we’re going to do more at more tracks.”
Welcome to Rockville 2026 is scheduled for May 7-10 at Daytona International Speedway. Tickets are available now HERE.
