91����

Cue Stone Temple Pilots’ “Interstate Love Song” and buckle up—because the highway to Gainesville is about to get a whole lot faster.

Florida’s legendary stretch of asphalt, Interstate 75, will soon receive long-awaited improvements to support the thousands of motorsports fans who make their annual pilgrimage to the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway. And who better to break ground on this ambitious infrastructure project than Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and drag racing icon “Big Daddy” Don Garlits?

On February 25, 2025, DeSantis joined local officials and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) at the n Ocala, Fla.,�� to formally announce the acceleration of I-75’s expansion. The $800 million project will widen lanes, improve traffic flow, and reduce congestion along one of the state’s busiest thoroughfares—which will all have a positive impact on future Gatornats.

“We launched Moving Florida Forward in 2023 to accelerate road projects with an emphasis on alleviating traffic. We are accelerating this I-75 project near Ocala because residents and visitors alike need relief from the congestion.�� This project was not slated to begin for another 10-15 years, but thanks to our program, construction is now underway.”—Florida Governor Ron DeSantis��

For Garlits, who built his legacy on speed, this project is personal. His must-see museum is located just east of I-75 about an hour south of the Gainesville track.

Every year, Gainesville Raceway transforms into a high-horsepower paradise, attracting NHRA’s biggest stars and legions of fans from across the country. The track’s location, however, has long tested the capacity of Florida's stretch of Interstate. Congestion on I-75 through the middle of the state, particularly near Ocala, has turned the drive into an endurance test for many racegoers. The upcoming expansion will add new express lanes, improved exit ramps, and enhanced signage to streamline the journey.

The announcement was met with widespread approval from local businesses and motorsports enthusiasts alike. Gainesville Raceway officials believe the project will not only benefit race attendees but also bolster economic growth in the surrounding region.

“Thanks to Governor DeSantis’ Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative, congestion relief along I-75 will be delivered 10-15 years ahead of schedule.��With nearly 114,000 vehicles driving the corridor daily, these improvements will make traveling easier and bring a $2.3 billion economic impact to the region.”—��Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E

The groundbreaking ceremony at the Don Garlits Museum was a fitting tribute to the deep roots of drag racing in Florida. Fans in attendance were treated to a lineup of classic dragsters, including Garlits’ iconic Swamp Rat series, as well as a special tribute to the Gatornationals’ five-decade history.

!

With the 2025 NHRA season just around the corner, excitement is building for what promises to be one of the most memorable Gatornationals yet. And now, with a faster road to Gainesville in the works, there’s no better time to start planning the trip. Thanks to the state of Florida and Big Daddy, it’s going to be one hell of a ride to the 2025 Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gator Nationals.

��