I did the Richard Petty Driving Experience there back in 2009. Gary Terry was my classroom instructor. Hell of a nice guy.

As a nascar guy myself, it’s cool to see creators like you reaching out to nascar, definitely worth the deep dive

… “I’m a car guy.. …”I can’t drive a stick…” Not a car guy. 😂😂😂 Enjoyed the video though!

I was there in 1995. I remember them building it but not here about it after.

I did the Exotic Experience exactly a week before the tragic accident that took Gary Terry's life. He did our classroom instruction before going out on the track. The track closure was already in process before our visit. I had wanted to drive an Audi R8, however, they had moved some cars to another location due to the upcoming closure. I still have the in car video and plaques of my driving a GTR and my 4yr daughter's ride along in a race car. I also have 3 used tires from the Richard Petty Driving Experience cars. It would have been 4, however, our rental didn't have enough room for it. They were giving them away to anyone who would take them. I'll never forget how passionate Gary was to help people realize their dreams to get on the track. RIP Mr. Terry

Sitting here watching this video and then randomly seeing my Dad doing a slow motion walk at the camera made me burst out laughing. We did that back in 2010. I was only 15 but they let us do a ride along. It was a blast!

@17:38 YES! I grew up as part of the “extended family “ of INDY. Will never forget the WDW indy 200 I got to catch (Cheever won after massive Rain Delay) live. I watched a 60 year old lady slip down the rain soaked metal bleachers, then had to wait in the downpour for busses to take us back to the Grand Floridian. Then rode the elevator up with Mari Hulman and Tony George completely soaked.

Imagine sitting on those bleachers just baking watching a race. I can’t think of anything else 😅😅

I did the drive alone at Richard Petty 18yrs ago with a top speed of 125, if I recall, that was the fastest the pace car would allow you to go.

I have raced many times at Daytona International Speedway with SCCA on the Rolex road course. Daytona is iconic, the banking is wonderful, and the track is historic. While my Porsche is only good for about 130 on the back straight, the sense of speed is mesmerizing. Great track, tons of fun.

When I was younger (2005-2008) my parents used to take me to DisneyWorld all the time, living in South Florida it was THE vacation for kids. Every time we used to go I remember pulling into the parking lots and seeing the racetrack and getting so excited that there might be something happening. Kind of a shame when I went back a few years ago and saw it was completely gone

Incredible content. I thought you were a big time KZfaq channel before I saw the sub count. I grew up watching NASCAR and I worked around the NASCAR world, so I love watching people get into it!

Your subscriber count is not a reflection of your content quality. You deserve more Subs

When I was in Radio as sportscaster I was sent to cover one of the Nascar Craftsman Truck races and it was a a ok race, you could tell this track was not going to last because of how flat it was and didnt allow for passing. I actually was given a pass to do the Nascar driving experience and hope to do it soon at Daytona.

Wow, I thought you were older than me, but you must be much younger if you don’t remember this. Or if you can’t drive a stick. I first came to WDW in January 1987 when I was still only 7 years old, but I’ve lived in Orlando just a few miles north of Magic Kingdom for 26 years now. The track at WDW was always a neat thing to me. I worked in television for 18 years and we shot some segments for one of our shows on the track, comically racing golf carts. I’m also a very avid distance runner, running the Disney Marathon every year, and for at least 3-4 years the marathon course made a loop on the track before exiting. They would bring in dozens of locals with classic cars, and have them line either side of the track as you went around, as they had music from the movie Cars playing. Pretty cool. I’ve also run around the track in Daytona at the Daytona Beach Half Marathon 6-8 times, as well as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s track at a half there. It’s all pretty wild. But I remember for years, from my house I could occasionally hear the cars going around the track at Disney. And I’m a good 3-4 miles north of it as the crow flies, and this was in the late 2000’s/early 2010’s, when it was only the Petty Experience. So there were just single cars on the track then. So I can sure attest to the sound coming off that track. In the end, I never expected the concept to last. Just like Disney’s private airstrip just south of the Contemporary, STOLport, that allowed guests to fly from the Orlando airport directly on to Disney property early in the park’s existence. The strip is mainly used for storage and construction vehicle parking today. But the race track was a pretty unique thing I’ll always remember.

I got to be apart of that commercial you took the shot at 6:54 from. That was one of the coolest experiences I've ever had. We spent probably a week at the track shooting video and riding in the cars. It was a pretty unique track and I wish it was still around to host races again.

Attended the 1997 IRL IndyCar race there. My first US race and oval experience after growing up watching racing in Europe. Main thing we as a family remember is the deluge of rain towards the end that left us so soaked that even the dollar bills in my wallet got wet!

Just some more info for your video, Gary’s death had nothing to do with the tracks closure, it was announced to us(former employee) a few weeks before Gary passed away, by Gary. Also, the banking in Daytona is 31 degrees in the corner, not 45. Interesting video though.

I would definitely try it. Great video. I knew of the speedway but I didnt know about all the history with it. Thanks for the information!

Great video! Great job showcasing 1990’s Walt Disney World and Michael Eisner’s vision of turning the property into a catch all one stop vacation destination with many unique experiences and offerings.

Thanks for a great video. I remember the race track and the Richard Petty experience. Always wanted to try it, but never did. Janet and I love it when you do these kinds of videos on the history of Disney. We always tend to forget about some of these, but when you talk about it they always come back into our memories. Thanks again and keep up the great videos.

Love the in depth video! I definitely would have crapped myself on that ride along.

“Talladega Nights soundtrack playing is exactly what I want. Exactly exactly what I want” - might never hear that sentence again in my life!! Hahaha. Looked super fun!!! #pityviewer

Yes!! NASCAR is amazing to watch and so in Indy car racing!!

Excellent video Ryan!! I learn so so much from your videos, keep it coming 👏 If that experience was still around, I would not. I get too motion sick and hate loud noises 😅

Took the family to Walt Disney World in 2008 or 2009 and being a big Indycar fan I wanted to see the track. We drove into the infield and saw they had an Indycar experience. We walked in and talked to the staff. They were open for rides, but no one was there to ride along and I am too big to fit. The staff told us we could go out and look around, see the cars, talk to driver and mechanics. So we did. I noticed the driver was a young guy (20’s) that had a Arie Luyendyk look alike helmet. Strange. We looked around, took pictures, and talked to the driver and the crew for about 40-50 minutes. The driver was one of the nicest guys I have ever met. Only afterwards, looking at the pictures did I realize the driver was Arie Luyendyk Jr. My wife was thrilled to have met him before The Bachelor days. A very nice, down to earth guy.

I totally would do the Richard Petty experience! Great content, Ryan! This was an awesome video!

Great video Ryan! I'd do it in a heartbeat. My Dad was a driver for a Petty driving experience in the Poconos.

I have done both Richard petty experience at both tracks and had a blast.

Such a great video! As a Disney World and NASCAR fan, this video really hit me where I live. BTW, I've done that experience at Daytona International Speedway. When we got up to speed, I had trouble seeing the curvature of the corners. They looked like flat walls that we hurtling toward. Awesome!

great video. I had no clue it had closed down. I remember when i was a young teen doing the Richard Petty Experience at Disney World. It was a amazing as a young NASCAR fan, and still a reason why I'm a fan to this day. Hate to see that it's gone.

Well done. Very informative, entertaining and enlightening

Great video, super entertaining!

Great video! This place has always interested me and I have brief memories of riding by the track as a kid. I have a decklid from one of the driving experience cars in my gaming room 👌

Excellent video and analysis. Just discovered your channel. Lifelong Disney fan as well. Great job on your videos. Fun and informative. For your next video, what about one on the golf courses? Specifically what happened to the PGA tour and why did they leave Disney? It used to be the final stop on the schedule every year. Thanks.

Great video! More videos like this, just subscribed.

Yes! I've done the Rusty Wallace experience at my hometrack Texas MS. I did bith the ride and drive, it was such a blast!

How didn’t I find this channel before? This is great!

I actually did the petty experience back in 97 when me and my wife went to Disney for our 1 year anniversary. I did the ride along because it was cheaper and you got to go faster than if you drove. I found the photo I bought of me in front of a car just a few weeks ago. It was fun. The G forces will give you a different appreciation for what racing is really like! Good video. Thanks

Yes. I did a ride along and you're right: the G force was crazy!

I would have absolutely done the RPDE! Thanks for another informative and fun video! 🖤

Absolute YES... I'd drive that track and any other!!! Condolences to that family. I'd love an opportunity to run one of those cars.

I took my dad to Daytona for the riding experience for his 70th birthday. He was born and lived in New Smyrna Beach, right down the road from Daytona. Was good friends with the France family for years. I literally grew up at that track, attending damn near every race from 1961 to 2005 when Rusty Wallace retired (and when NASCAR went to crap as far as I'm concerned). Anyway, told Dad we were going for a "track tour" for his birthday. He was confused when the tram stopped in the pits and the guy came up and measured my dad for a fire suit. Yes, they put riders in fire suits back then. My Dad took his laps and was weak kneed when he got out. Said it was the best Birthday he ever had. I got in the same car my dad was in and on the second lap in turn 3, the car blows up. We stop on the entrance to pit road and i walked to the spot where they put you in the car and got extra laps in another car because of the blow up. I was the first rider that was in a car that blew up. Got a special plaque and everything. Very cool experience. I miss my dear old Dad and have a framed picture of he and I in our fire suits hanging on my wall in the house. If you ever get a chance to do it, DO IT. The experience of a lifetime.

Good Video, Planning to do the Petty Experience This year in November

Nice Video thanks..👍👍👍

This is in the same vein as @defunctland. Well done sir! Awesome

Thanks for the information on abandoned Disney. They seem to relate to Bad occurrences, as well as, financial stress.

Worked at MK in 09 for the College Program. When the speedway was ripping it was an incredible noise. Wish I could’ve done the Richard Petty Driving Experience!

Excellent video Ryan!! In my younger years I would have loved to experience riding a race car 🏎️

I remember the speedway and wanted to try the driving experience but it was way out of my budget. But I am glad of your video as I am now in my mid 70's and still wished i could have tried the experience.

as simultaneously a NASCAR history nerd and huge Disney Parks fan I think this vid was tailor-made for me heh, nice work 👍

How cool you got to do a ride along. That’s a dream!

Honestly brother great video, I’m currently building a mini Bristol dirt track haha at my farm, it is a very dangerous sport, you said a simple yes or no would do, but absolutely would, After watching the video I think this would be a great thing to go do and I would love to take my pops with me! Good stuff

Great video

I was wanting to do the original experience (it was there when I first visited Disney), but didn't have the money at the time. Then upon planning our trip a few years back (mainly to Universal), I was disappointed to find that it was no longer a thing. I'd definitely do such an experience, but getting out to Daytona would be a total pain for us (we don't drive when we're on vacation). Oh, and you're a car guy but you don't drive stick - come on .... anyway, great video, keep them coming.

Hi there, my Dad back in '02/'03 (I forget honestly) did the Richard Petty Driving Experience however it was out here in California at the then California Speedway (now Auto Club Speedway) and it was an awesome experience to see my Dad get into a racecar of any sort and he had a blast. He won a contest at his work place then it was for a half day of driving as much as he could. I was a kid then but being able to stand behind pit wall and just listen to the cars fly by or just drive out into the track was absolutely phenomenal.

I wasn’t able to go to Disney growing up, I only know about the speedway from Disney Magical Racing Tour on the ps1

Nice retrospective dive! Sent my Father to the RP driving experiance for his Bday and attended a couple races. Was not the best track for racing, but Good Times indeed!

Wow what a perfect video! I JUST watched another video on “The Richard Petty Driving Experience Tragedy” and it led to me searching for the relics of this track on Google Satellite maps and I was frustrated I couldn’t pinpoint it, a flag said it was in the middle of the pond. So it was fantastic to see this video pop up in my suggested just two days later and you went out there in person! And showed a nice aerial photo of when the track relics still remained. I would absolutely do any driving experience but I’ve raced my own hot rod on a 4 mile IndyCar road course for 4 days so I have a little experience. Biggest thrill of my life! Would love to try a high speed circle track for sure.

Nascar itself bought out the Petty experience a few years ago. There also used to be a Jeff Gordon racing school and a Dale Jarrett one. There is currently also a Rusty Wallace Racing Experience, and I worked there for 7 years (started well before it became associated with Rusty - we bought out his experience after they ran just 1 corporate event). My dad did the Petty experience while on vacation at Disney in 2006 and enjoyed it so much that we found a smaller one at a local track back home (new England). I did it with him and my brother in July of 06 and started working there not long after. Some of the best years of my life.

I have done the Richard Petty Driving experience in Atlanta! It was at the Atlanta motor speedway with the old configuration. It was amazing. I've also done the ride along at Daytona! As a NASCAR fan it doesn't get any better than that! I remember the Disney speedway I saw a few races there and my dad did the driving experience there as well. Unforgettable experiences! We had a great time as a family!

I did the RPDE back in 2004 and had a great time. I not only would do it again, but I would love to do it at Daytona and after seeing this, I am starting my plans to go. Learn to drive a stick!

Thats awsome. You can still very clearly see the backstretch on Floridian Way

I also think this style of video will make your channel rocket!

I went to wdw for my first time in 2008 when i was 11, i very disntincly remembered a race track while walking in a parking lot and wanted to ride it desperately but was told you had to be 18 or up. Or that's what i remembered, as until starting this video i couldnt find info on what i saw. i have since been back the past 2 years and am going again a third time this summer. Its nice to kmow i wasnt going crazy. And im excited to finish this video and learn more about this.

I also did the Richard Petty Driving Experience there as well. It was an added bonus to our Disney vacation!

I did do the Petty experience in 2002 at the Vegas speedway as a graduation gift.. loved it 😊

Yeah, i'd try it out for sure. Seems like a fun experience to have away from the parks

Did the Richard Petty drive at Disney World and it was a fun experience the staff was awesome...having the exotic car driving experience in my opinion was always too risky because the exotic cars were not as safe as the Nascar experience...they didn't have a roll cage that is so important for the survival in an accident...excellent video 📹!

Good video and thanks for the info. I'm glad you had a good time. I was trying to remember when the speedway closed. While I understand the Richard Petty Experience and some of the other "Drive an Exotic Car" programs are the only way that many can experience this, I have always felt they are an unnecessary risk the way that they are run. I am a former SCCA driving instructor and we NEVER rode with our students driving. The closest were the "station wagon tours" where an instructor drives their students in a street car around the course, giving instruction and explaining the line of each corner and how to find it. These were far below racing speeds. The Richard Petty Experience I believe was originally limited to 140 mph at Daytona. That is a nice speed as you get all the sensation of speed as 110 is kind of boring for the size of the track and according to a friend, 65 mph will have you clinging to hang on inside the car to keep from falling downhill. For his wedding, they lapped the track and the driver of the car wouldn't go more than 60 even though every one in it was an SCCA member and kept telling him he HAD to go faster just to stay on the embankment. I know these programs are essentially just entertainment drives, but they really need a bit more instruction to the new drivers and let them go out by themselves so that they don't endanger anyone but themselves. And then, for that $240 spent, you might come away with something that actually improves your skills on the highway and makes you a better driver.

I remember hearing about the Richard Petty experience on Disney Channel back in the day. Always wanted to do it as I was really big into Nascar back then. One of the biggest reasons I wanted to visit wdw. So sad I missed it. Good to know about the Daytona experience though!

I drove the Disney / Petty Experience! Loved it! I've also driven the Exotics on the road course at Pocono. Even better!

Lovin that Star Wars shirt my guy!!!!

And many many years later there’s still a dirt mountain in the parking lot! It’s crazy they still haven’t removed it!

Well this was a very good video very informative I never knew that that track was there interesting. I'm over here in California where the Ontario motor Speedway is or was and now the California Speedway in Fontana is getting cut in half bummer. You are saying other abandoned amusement parks well I think there is some in Russia that I read about in national geographics magazine😊 I would do the Richard petty experience at daytona looks like a fun time you did a great video on that totally awesome.

I did the Richard Petty Experience in 2006 Driving the #67 Dodge. I did 8 laps and my instructor was a dirt track racer from Jacksonville. It was the best day ever!!!

I loved that track. I went to see a few races there.

Loved this! I don’t think I would do it though!

Yes!! All the way from NZ in a heartbeat.

Talk about unlocking something that was buried deep down in the basement of my memory because I remember that speedway existing. And I'm dying over you committing to the bit and going to Daytona. 🤣🤣 Did your life flash before your eyes? I DEFINITELY would not do the experience.

Racing fan here...The idea for Walt Disney World Speedway on paper was a slam dunk and it should have been a success but it's location was it's ultimate demise. Had a location better suited for it been selected, and Disney management built parks and resorts around the track instead of essentially building the track within an existing park, the speak could still be operable today and hosting mid to high-level auto racing. The concept of having the race fans exit the track then going to the parks, again, looks good on paper, but when a race day is organized correctly, fans won't want to spend hours after a race going to park. They'd rather save that for the day after or days before.

Man that track was so cool! I loved watching the races there!

I did the Richard petty ride along at Las Vegas speedway and I’ve been involved in racing my entire life, the g forces even surprised me. Really cool video though I always wondered why it closed.

Hell yes to the Petty experience. I was looking into it just as it closed as we did a family vacation back to Disney World for my daughters cheerleading tournament. I had done Willow Springs Drive tech so I was looking forward to another run in a NASCAR.

It kinda reminds me a little of North Wilkesboro, to close to a major speedway to sustain that many races and for a long time not enough money to invest in the track.

Nice change of pace Ryan. 👍🏻 Back in the day my brother-in-law did the Richard Petty Experience, not sure if he rode along or drove. Ex son-in-law did the exotic car one, pretty sure he drove. They both loved the chance to have the experiences. It was pretty popular, I think they had a couple of accidents with guests that shut it down for good.

I almost did that in the early 2000's...I ended up finally doing one with Jeff Gordon's racing experience at Charlotte motor speedway after I won it at one of the races.

I actually won a Richard Petty Driving Experience back in 2012 as part of the grand prize package after picking the most number of NFL games correctly in my former company. In early 2013 I did the ride-along at WDW Speedway, and let me tell you, it was an insanely fun track. Three completely different corners (in radius, banking, and speed), and a ton of downforce and yaw meant for a great experience. I still have the framed picture hanging up.

I did the Rusty Wallace driving experience about 10 years ago in Columbus Ohio. It was very cool. One thing they don’t tell you until you get there is that you are responsible for any damage that happens to the car. I went slow because of that. The guy in front of me wrecked. That cost him thousands to fix the car.

glad you explained who richard petty is, i didn’t know!

First time I ever did a Petty Experience was at this track. My son also got to take a ride along with a “Cars” Nascar style car on it as well. Neat track, hated seeing it go.

Yes, I did both the Richard petty experience and the exotic experience. They were great times I wish I could have again.

Yes! Would have done it.. Since its gone should take my chances at Daytona

In 2007, I did the Disney World ..Petty Driving Experience…3 lap ride along, In the Home Depot car. We had to wear a fire suit.. and the Hans device. You had to sign a waiver for no liability, of course! You definitely go faster with a certified driver in the Ride-Along! I remember my drivers name was Brett! He was a young guy, having the time of his life… taking people for rides! I think we hit about 150mph on the backstretch! It Was the best a Adrenaline rush I’ve had, compared to any amusement park ride! I Didn’t realize the track had been replaced by parking! Sort of sad, but I still have the great memories! Everyone needs to try this, just one time in their life… at a Participating NASCAR track!

I've done the experience in Vegas, it was a blast

Ryan you are insanely talented and your communication of information is so unique! Amazing video!

there's a speedway gas station right next to where this used to be, which I always thought was a funny touch

I got a Richard Petty Experience around that speedway and it was fast and fun.

Nope 👎🏻 not for me! Too scared! Another amazing video Ryan! Thanks for the walk back in history.

I did the RPDE in 2006 as a driver. Had a BLAST!!! Would do it again if it was still available!