Daytona International Speedway News

Updated: 2010

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Crews at Daytona International Speedway begin repaving process: The green flag has waved on the historic Daytona International Speedway repave. On Monday, crews began the process by removing lights poles, SAFER barrier and safety fence. The safety fence and 57 light poles in both ends of the high banks are being removed as well 8,300 linear feet of SAFER barrier throughout the facility. The asphalt removal is expected to begin later this week or early next week. Daytona International Speedway's entire 2.5-mile tri-oval will be repaved as well as the skid pads, apron and pit road. Concrete will be used for the pit stalls. All of the existing asphalt will be removed down to the original 52-year-old lime rock base, which will be leveled and then paving will begin. An estimated 50,000 tons of asphalt will be used on the project that will pave 1,435,000 square feet, about 33 acres. The repaving project has a target completion date of Jan. 1, 2011. Daytona International Speedway also posting updates on the project at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/repave.(DIS)

Friday, July 2, 2010

Workers repair racing surface at Daytona International Speedway overnight: On Thursday night track workers were diligently attempting to repair the patch between turns one and two, which was formed during February’s debacle that halted action twice for a total of 2 hours and 25 minutes as asphalt crumbled from the surface. According to fans camped near the patch, workers appeared prior to the first Nationwide Series practice Thursday morning. Johnny Grainger, 57, of Deltona said representatives from Daytona International Speedway explained the workers were covering the patch with concrete and then grinding the surface around a square area where the cars were bottoming out throughout the practice sessions. Grainger added that the workers returned shortly after Happy Hour ended around 8 p.m. By 10 p.m., 11 vehicles along with a trailer surrounded the area as workers continued to address it. Although track officials denied there was any problem with the surface and NASCAR representatives were unaware of any issues, from the infield fence there was clearly visible a three- to four-foot hole in the patched area. Additional calls to Daytona and International Speedway Corp. were not returned Thursday night.(FOXSports.com)

Bobby Labonte named Grand Marshal for Coke Zero 400: Bobby Labonte, who is scheduled to make his 600th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start on Saturday night, will serve as Grand Marshal for the 52nd annual Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. Labonte, who is driving the No. 09 car for owner James Finch in Saturday's 160-lap, 400-mile race, will give the starting command, "Gentlemen start your engines." Labonte, who is an original member of the Coca-Cola Racing Family, has captured 21 NASCAR Sprint Cup victories and 26 poles as well as the series' championship in 2000.(DIS)

Monday, May 24, 2010

Rucker to perform pre-race concert, National Anthem before Coke Zero 400 at Daytona: Capitol Records Nashville's Darius Rucker will perform a pre-race concert as well as the National Anthem for the 52nd annual Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Saturday, July 3. All race fans that purchase the Sprint FANZONE/Pre-Race Pit Pass along with a race ticket for the Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola will be able to view the 60-minute Darius Rucker Concert presented by LongHorn Steakhouse® as well as the driver introductions from the grass tri-oval in the heart of Daytona International Speedway. "We're excited to welcome back Darius Rucker to Daytona International Speedway," track president Robin Braig. "Darius is quickly becoming one of the most recognizable voices in country music and we're looking forward to both his pre-race concert as well as his rendition of the National Anthem." It will be Rucker's third appearance at Daytona. He performed at the "World Center of Racing" as the leader singer of the Grammy-winning group "Hootie and the Blowfish" at the Dale Earnhardt Tribute Concert and returned for a solo appearance at the 2002 mid-summer classic. (PR)

Monday, May 10, 2010

Daytona repaving leaves little time for Goodyear tire testing: Daytona International Speedway is repaving the 2.5-mile super-speedway for the first time since 1978. While work will begin following the Coke Zero 400 in July, track officials don't expect the asphalt to be ready for testing until Jan. 1. That's more than a month before NASCAR teams return for Speedweeks and it may not leave Goodyear ample time to perfect a tire for the Daytona 500. NASCAR officials informed Goodyear of an open Daytona test scheduled for mid-January (rumored to be Jan. 15th but denied by top brass from the sanctioning body). Goodyear traditionally begins manufacturing tires in October for Speedweeks with the usual run of 6,000 units. With a test involved, as is anticipated given a completely green and unknown track surface, Goodyear would likely up the tire inventory to 8,000 tires for all the Daytona events - the Budweiser Shootout, Gatorade Duels, Camping World Truck race, Nationwide Series race and the 500 (and practices for all those events). Originally, Stu Grant of Goodyear had hoped to start the testing process no later than Nov. 1, using the current Daytona tires as the control tires and build a data base. Should Goodyear not have time for a tire test prior to January, the Daytona open test sessions would become the tire test. Lane Contruction recently repaved Talladega using the same asphalt compound for Daytona, so Grant says Goodyear would now use the Talladega tire as the control tire. Goodyear has received pavement samples from Lane but if testing is not an option, the tires will have to be developed by engineers in the lab instead of on the track. The selection process begins with a control tire and usually requires four to six weeks to assemble the materials, then build and cure the tires. Even if Goodyear could test a tire on Jan. 1, teams would not have track-tested tires for a full Cup Series test on Jan. 15. Although it would be a push, teams could have the new tires for the opening day of Speedweeks on Feb. 9.(FOXSports)

Friday, April 23, 2010

Report: Daytona International Speedway to be repaved: After months of investigation into Daytona’s aged asphalt surface, we finally have an answer as to the future of the speedway’s repaving project. Sources tell Mike Lovecchio that an announcement will be made tomorrow by ISC the track will be fully repaved in time for the 2011 Daytona 500. According to sources, investigation into the track surface, which was last repaved in 1978, revealed “concerns” that have forced ISC to move up the timeline of the project. A source also says there are still private worries remaining about the condition of the asphalt for July’s Coke Zero 400, but the choice has been made to not rush the project and wait until after the second round of Daytona races. The move is an about face from ISC and Daytona’s stance on the matter in February. After a pothole caused two red flags totaling two hours, 25 minutes for repairs in this year’s 500, DIS President Robin Braig was adamant the track would hold off on its repaving job until 2012. No word on the exact cost of the project, but sources claim pieces of the old asphalt could be sold to fans once the repave is complete. Daytona International Speedway did not return a phone call for comment.(Frontstretch)

Monday, February 15, 2010

Daytona president says track doesn’t need to be repaved: Daytona International Speedway President Robin Braig addressed the media after Sunday’s race to do a little damage control after the Hole That Ate Daytona. But he probably just made things worse. Consider: Braig was asked about Dale Earmnhardt Jr.’s post-race comment that if Daytona had been repaved years ago this problem would not have happened. “Dale Jr. has not liked our pavement for many years,” Braig said. “I think you can look that record up. We listen to our sanctioning body and Goodyear. We take the drivers’ and the crew chiefs’ concerns. We mix that in with a lot of decision-makers. But we don’t think it’s time to repave, unless we find out something different after we evaluate it this week. We’ve got engineers all over this. You know how many people are waiting in line to get out there and see that in the morning?” (Birmingham News)

Friday, February 12, 2010

Petty to lead Daytona 500 field in 2011 Mustang pace car: Richard Petty will find himself in a very familiar place on Sunday afternoon, leading the field in the Daytona 500. Petty, who holds the NASCAR record with seven Daytona 500 victories, has accepted the role as "Pace Car Driver" for the 52nd running of the Great American Race, and will pace all 43 cars to the green flag behind the wheel of a special edition 2011 Mustang GT, powered by Ford's all-new 5.0-liter V-8 engine. "There's nothing like the Daytona 500. It's one of the biggest races in the world and to be a part of it in this way is the next-best thing to actually being able to race," Petty said. "Who knows, maybe I'll just stay out there for a few laps and see what those guys have got." Petty is back as a member of the Ford Racing family after Richard Petty Motorsports merged with Yates Racing during the recently concluded off-season. Petty previously drove for the blue oval in 1969 and won nine races that season in a Ford Torino. Ironically, the last and only other time Ford served as pace car for the Daytona 500 was one year later when a Ford Torino GT convertible started the 1970 event. (Ford PR)

Daytona 500 advertisers enjoy higher brand recall, likeability: According to data gathered by Nielsen IAG, traditional ads airing in last year’s Daytona were 26% more likely to be recalled by race viewers than those who saw the ad run elsewhere. Spots by NASCAR advertisers Home Depot, McDonald’s and State Farm Insurance particularly enjoyed brand recall levels that were at least twice that of airings outside the race. (Nielsen Wire)

Thuesday, February 11, 2010

Daytona 500 is a bigger deal than the Super Bowl: So you think the Super Bowl is bigger than the Daytona 500? Think again. There were 74,059 fans in the Miami stands. More than 200,000 will jam Daytona International Speedway for the 51st running of “The Great American Race.” Twenty-two players were on the Super Bowl field at any given time — there are 43 drivers in the first Sprint Cup event of the 2010 season. Not even the New Orleans Saints’ Reggie Bush can run more than about 23 miles per hour and that for only a few seconds. Mark Martin starts on the pole and he will be doing more than 190 miles an hour after about the first five miles of the race. Every member of the Saints received about $83,000 for being on the winning team in Super Bowl XLIV. The winning driver Sunday will take home about $1,600,000 and nobody will make less than $100,000. And you say the Super Bowl has a rich history, certainly more than a bunch of people running around in circles? Even before the first AFL-NFL Championship game in 1967, there had already been eight Daytona 500s and none of them had any problem selling all the available seats. That first football game in Los Angeles, won by Green Bay 35-10 over Kansas City, had a few thousand empty seats, by the way. (Bluefield Daily Telegraph)

Daytona 500 might not sell out? Will the 500 sell out? Speedway tub thumpers say tickets are selling well but won’t commit to a sellout, only saying they expect a full house. The removal of 12,000 seats on the overbuilt backstretch will help, as will the construction of a backstretch fan zone and the new 80-foot tall party deck. Empty seats always look bad at a race but particularly so at the 500. (Shreveport Times)

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Former Cowboys coach will attend NASCAR race to pitch male E.D. drug: Jimmy Johnson is joining ExtenZe Racing, the team that goes to great lengths for excellence! No, not the four-time Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, but the two-time Super Bowl champion and Fox NFL Sunday host. The newly named ExtenZe spokesman and star of the male enhancement brand’s upcoming commercials will be on hand at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, Feb. 14, the day of the Daytona 500. Johnson will be there to announce an exciting new NASCAR-wide community relations program that ExtenZe will sponsor and to be Honorary Crew Chief for the day, sitting atop the pit box, cheering on the ExtenZe sponsored No. 37 Ford.(PR Newswire)

Tim Tebow to serve as NASCAR grand marshal: Tim Tebow and Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew will serve as grand marshals for the twin 150-mile Daytona 500 qualifying races on Thursday. Tebow, who won the Heisman Trophy as college football’s top player in 2007 at Florida, will deliver the “Gentlemen, start your engines” command for the first Gatorade Duel while Jones-Drew will give the command to fire engines in the second race. (Florida Today)

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

DIS to honor two Daytona 500 winning cars: The past and present will converge in the pace laps prior to the green flag for the 52nd annual Daytona 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, Feb. 14 at Daytona International Speedway. To mark the 50th anniversary of Junior Johnson's victory in the "The Great American Race", a replica Daytona 500-winning No. 27 Chevrolet as well as the 2009 Daytona 500-winning car of Matt Kenseth will take to the high banks and participate in the pace laps prior to the green flag of the Daytona 500. Johnson claimed his only Daytona 500 win in 1960 driving for crew chief Ray Fox and owner John Masoni. The ride came together in a last-minute deal and Fox only had seven days to build the Daytona 500-winning race car. On lap 191, Johnson was drafting Bobby Johns when, coming off of Turn 2, Johns' car was hit with a gust of win. The air pressure popped out the rear window and put Johns in a spin. Johnson would claim the Daytona 500 by a margin of 23 seconds. Alongside the No. 27 Chevy during the Daytona 500 pace laps will be the winning car from the 2009 Daytona 500  Matt Kenseth's No. 17 DeWalt Ford from Roush Fenway Racing. Kenseth, who earned Roush his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship in 2003, was able to deliver Roush his first Daytona 500 victory  a feat that has eluded the multi-team owner for over 20 years. The No. 17 was inducted into "The Official Attraction of NASCAR"  Daytona 500 Experience  after its victory in 2009 and will be returned to Roush Fenway Racing on Sunday morning, Feb. 14 prior to the start of the Daytona 500. Tickets for all of Hershey's Milk & Milkshakes Speedweeks events, including the Daytona 500, are available atwww.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.(DIS)

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Harvick wins Budweiser Shootout: Kevin Harvick of Bakersfield won his second consecutive NASCAR Budweiser Shootout at Daytona International Speedway after Greg Biffle's Ford spun and triggered a multi-car crash in the first lap of a two-lap overtime Saturday night. The Shootout is a 75-lap exhibition race that precedes next Sunday's Daytona 500. Although the Shootout doesn't pay championship points, it's the unofficial start to the season for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. When an accident forced the two-lap overtime, Biffle and Harvick were side by side in front when Biffle was apparently tapped from behind by Jeff Gordon. That sent Biffle spinning, another wreck ensued and the caution period came out with Harvick in the lead. If there's a caution during a two-lap overtime, the race is over. Kasey Kahne finished second, Jamie McMurray took third and Kyle Busch was fourth. (LA Times)

Martin wins pole, Earnhardt to start second in Daytona 500: Rick Hendrick, Mark Martin and Dale Earnhardt Jr. spent the last month talking about how those in-house, off-season moves would make a difference. On Saturday, they may have convinced everyone else. Martin and Earnhardt posted the top qualifying runs and secured the front row for next week's Daytona 500. It might not mean as much as Hendrick Motorsports' 1-2-3 finish in last season's Sprint Cup standings, but the latest sweep provided some validation to those changes made in hopes of bolstering both teams and getting crew chiefs Alan Gustafson (Martin) and Lance McGrew (Earnhardt) on the same page."The challenge was we wanted one team with two cars," Hendrick said. "Then they unloaded two cars that ran almost identical times. I know this is just one race, but no one here and no one outside of our company will know the effort that Alan and Lance put into this team and these two cars, and I'm really proud of 'em." Martin, the only driver to top 191 m.p.h., earned his first Daytona 500 pole. At 51, he also became the oldest driver to earn the top spot for NASCAR's premier race. "I love getting records," Martin said. Earnhardt, meanwhile, will start second in his attempt to rebound from the worst season in his Sprint Cup career. (Canadian Press)

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Zac Brown band to perform National Anthem at Budweiser Shootout: Zac Brown Band, the GRAMMY nominees for Best New Artist whose platinum debut album 'The Foundation' (Atlantic Records) produced the No. 1 hit "Chicken Fried," will perform at the 32nd annual Budweiser Shootout on Saturday, Feb. 6 at Daytona International Speedway. The Atlanta-based group will perform a pre- and post-race concert, in addition to the National Anthem. Zac Brown Band - which consists of bandleader Zac Brown, bassist John Hopkins, violinist Jimmy De Martini, guitarist/organist Coy Bowles, drummer Chris Fryar and multi-instrumentalist and song writer Clay Cook - will perform three songs prior to the Budweiser Shootout on the Pre-Race Stage as well as the National Anthem, all of which will be carried live on FOX Sports. After the checkered flag waves, Zac Brown Band will perform a 60-minute post-race concert from the Sprint FANZONE Entertainment Stage.(Daytona PR)

Monday, January 25, 2010

Sponsors paying $75k for booth outside Daytona International Speedway: Pricing for booths outside Daytona International Speedway begins at $75,000. Full sponsorship, which can include track signage, hospitality suites and/or print ads in the race program, costs anywhere from $250,000 to $1 million or more, depending on the elements involved. The speedway is already accepting sponsors for next year’s race. But opportunities are still available for this year, and are likely to be so up to a week before the event.(Media Life Magazine)

Friday, January 22, 2010

Speedway president welcomes rule changes: Robin Braig, president of Daytona International Speedway, welcomed the changes. "We applaud NASCAR for listening to the race fans," Braig said. "The racing at Daytona has been exceptional year in and year out, and these changes will give the drivers even more flexibility on the racetrack to provide the thrilling action that race fans come to expect at the Daytona 500." (News-Journal)

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Sarah Plain to make appearance at Daytona 500: Former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin will be a VIP guest at next month's Daytona 500. Daytona International Speedway president Robin Braig says Palin will make her first appearance at NASCAR's most storied track the day before she serves as guest speaker at the city's annual chamber of commerce dinner. Palin won't have any official role in the Daytona 500, but the former Alaska governor will be introduced at the pre-race drivers meeting along with other celebrities. Braig says track officials checked with NASCAR's political advisers before signing off on Palin's visit. Braig says the reaction was to "showcase her just as much as we would our mayor, our governor or our senators."(Associated Press)

Friday, January 15, 2010

Ford Mustang to pace Daytona 500 field: For the first time in more than 40 years, a Ford product will serve as the pace car at the Daytona 500. Ford has provided a specially prepared version of its new 2011 Mustang GT -- equipped with the new 5.0-liter V-8 -- to help set the pace at the Daytona International Speedway. Apart from the requisite strobe lighting, the pace car is essentially a stock 2011 Mustang GT. Ford's equipped it with a suspension kit and mufflers sourced from its Ford Racing operations, and the car will be painted in a special paint scheme. Unlike prior pace cars, there will be no replicas available to the general public, but the actual pace car itself will ultimately be auctioned for charity. (Automobile)

Tim McGraw to perform in Daytona 500 pre-race show: Grammy-winning country star Tim McGraw will be revving his vocal engine on the Daytona 500 Pre-Race Show. McGraw will perform three songs at the pre-race extravaganza leading up to the start of the 52nd annual Daytona 500 -- the season-opening event to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. "Tim McGraw is one of the most popular entertainers in the world and we're thrilled to have him perform the Daytona 500 Pre-Race Show," Daytona International Speedway President Robin Braig said. (Entertainment Tonight)

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Daytona Preseason Thunder dates confirmed: Daytona International Speedway confirmed its Preseason Thunder Fan Fest dates as Jan. 15-16. The top NASCAR stars will be in attendance as race fans get a preview of Speed Weeks 2010 and the Daytona 500. "The NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fan Fests have become a great opportunity for fans and drivers to interact," Daytona International Speedway President Robin Braig said. "What better way to get pumped up for the new NASCAR season than spending time with the stars of the sport at NASCAR's most storied race track." (Daytona Beach News-Journal)

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Daytona raises catchfences, too: Talladega Superspeedway and Daytona International Speedway are raising the height of their catch fences from 14 feet to 22 feet after analyzing their safety barriers following the accident that sent Carl Edwards flying into the Talladega fence in April. Talladega will get the frontstretch portion of its fence completed before its Oct. 30-Nov. 1 race weekend and will do the backstretch during the offseason. Daytona, which has no more NASCAR races this year, will complete its new fence on both the frontstretch and backstretch by mid-January. Other enhancements have been made to the fences at other tracks owned by International Speedway Corp., the parent company of both Talladega and Daytona, but neither Humphrey nor DIS President Robin Braig would go into more details.(SceneDaily)

Friday, Aug. 28, 2009

Daytona 500 qualifying moved to Saturday: Daytona 500 Qualifying Presented By Kroger, which secures the prestigious front row for the 52nd annual Daytona 500, will be part of a tripleheader day of racing on Saturday, Feb. 6, joining the 32nd annual Budweiser Shootout and Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 during Speedweeks 2010. Daytona 500 Qualifying Presented By Kroger, which is traditionally scheduled on the Sunday prior to the Daytona 500, will kick off activities on Saturday, Feb. 6 at 1:05 p.m. on FOX, followed by the season-opening Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 for the ARCA Series at 4:30 p.m. on SPEED, and the Budweiser Shootout at 8:10 p.m. on FOX.(DIS PR)

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

ISC links new brand to Daytona: International Speedway Corp. is creating a new brand -- Daytona Elite, named after its signature speedway -- that the company plans to license to automotive aftermarket products. Items bearing the Daytona Elite brand are expected to be on store shelves by the first quarter of next year, possibly earlier. (Sports Business Journal)

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

DW: Technology has outgrown Talladega and Daytona: As for those wild finishes at Daytona and Talladega lately, here's what Darrell Waltrip had to say about them: "I don't know what you can change. Technology has outgrown those race tracks. Those race tracks were built in the 1960s to make cars go 200 mph, to help a car go 200 mph. Now we have cars that are a lot better than the track. With that much banking and those big tracks, there's nothing else you can do. All you can do is restrict the engine and when you put them on top of each other, they're going to wreck. That's just a fact of life." (Virginian-Pilot)

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Kellen Winslow becoming a NASCAR fan: Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Kellen Winslow served as an honorary race official for Saturday's race. A budding NASCAR fan, Winslow jumped at the opportunity to be part of a race at NASCAR's most famous track. But he stopped short of getting behind the wheel. That's right. The guy who wrecked his motorcycle attempting tricks, damaging his knee and shoulder in Cleveland a few years ago, passed on a chance to try something many would consider a little dangerous. He even refused a ride in the NASCAR simulator. "The simulator was a little too shaky for me so I didn't go through it," he said. "Looked like a bad car wreck, so I said no." (Charlotte Observer)

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Daytona 500 tickets to go on sale May 16: Tickets for the 52nd annual Daytona 500 will go on sale this Saturday at 9:00am/et. Prior to Saturday, May 16, only renewals and deposits for seat assignments for the 52nd annual Daytona 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race were taken by the ticket office at Daytona International Speedway. Tickets for the Daytona 500 will start at $55 and for the first time since 1982, there have been no ticket price increases for any seat locations for the prestigious race that will kick off the new NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season on Sunday, Feb. 14. Race fans that purchase Daytona 500 tickets on Saturday, May 16 will be eligible for a special one-day offer where they can take advantage of Daytona’s monthly payment plan. With the plan, they will be able to get tickets to the Daytona 500 for as low as $10 per month. Ticket information for the 2010 Daytona 500, 2009 Coke Zero 400 and other races can be found at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com.(DIS PR)

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Bowyer: More cars needed at Daytona tire test: In a normal Goodyear tire test at Daytona International Speedway, there may be three or four participating stock-car teams collecting data for the NASCAR supplier. As a prep for the July 4 Coke Zero 400, Goodyear has 10 Sprint Cup Series stock cars and a dozen drivers turning laps over the 2.5-mile tri-oval. The two-day test concludes today. "Just having three or four cars out there drafting, you don't get the (desired) effect, you don't get the sensation of the speed, what the cars go through in the draft, so we needed a few more cars here, then just two or three cars," driver Clint Bowyer said. "The tires don't get the abuse they get when you're under the loads of drafting with 40 cars out there. They got the right amount of cars out here." (Daytona Beach News-Journal)

Monday, May 4, 2009

DIS begins renovations: Robin Braig climbed into the cockpit of a giant backhoe, then used the large, metal claw to take a bite out of the old Daytona Beach Kennel Club Wednesday morning. The 60-year-old clubhouse will be completely demolished in the next few weeks as Daytona International Speedway begins the transformation of the blighted property into a park-like addition to the track. "Not only is this property a wonderful gateway statement to our community but we'll match it up to Daytona Live!; the vegetation, trees, the whole theme will match Daytona Live!," said Braig, the Speedway's president. "We're going to demolish this building, add some tram stops here and move the grandstand gates out." In the near term, for the July 4 Coke Zero 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, the Speedway plans to use the property as a parking area for the main grandstands. By February, 2010, the land will be turned into a new grandstand entrance with plenty of grass and trees. (Daytona News-Journal)

Friday, May 1, 2009

Daytona Intl. Speedway rolls back Coke Zero 400 ticket prices: A limited number of tickets in the Oldfield and Lockhart Grandstands will be rolled back from $55 to $40 for the 51st annual Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola on Saturday, July 4, Daytona International Speedway President Robin Braig announced in a press release.The $40 tickets for the Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola, which go on sale Friday, May 1, is the lowest ticket price for the Independence Day holiday classic since 1998.“Witnessing the stars of NASCAR under the lights on the famed 31-degree high banks is an Independence Day holiday tradition for many race fans,” Braig said. “These adjustments in ticket prices for this year’s Coke Zero 400 will make it even more affordable for race fans to celebrate their July 4th holiday at ‘The World Center of Racing.’ In addition to the rollback in ticket prices, parking is always free and race fans can continue to bring their coolers with food and beverages.” Tickets and great camping packages for the Coke Zero 400 Weekend Powered By Coca-Cola on July 2-4, which includes the Daytona 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series race on Friday night and the Brumos Porsche 250 Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series event on Saturday, can be purchased online at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP. (PR)

Friday, March 27, 2009

Daytona 500 date likely to change if NFL extends season: Since 1971, the Daytona 500 has been scheduled for the Sunday prior to the third Monday in February (Feb. 14-20), which has recently been two weeks following the National Football League’s Super Bowl. But the date of the Super Bowl could change. NFL owners talked earlier this week about adding one or two weeks to their regular-season schedule, which, depending on the number of preseason games, could make the entire length of the season up to two weeks longer. That would result in the Super Bowl scheduled on the traditional date of the Daytona 500. The NFL won’t change its schedule, most likely, until its 2011 season, meaning the first potential conflict wouldn’t come until 2012 at the earliest. NASCAR and Fox Sports officials are in a wait-and-see mode before commenting on what NASCAR would do, but it seems likely that the date for the Daytona 500 would have to change. (SceneDaily.com)

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Daytona Rev. Hal Marchman passed away at 89: "Shalom and amen." With that trademark ending to prayers he offered before every Daytona 500 for 46 years, the Rev. Hal Marchman endeared himself to race car drivers and hundreds of thousands of their fans. It was the Baptist preacher's way of being inclusive, the same way he lived his life, whether he was counseling an alcoholic or persuading community leaders to take on some civic project. Marchman, 89, died unexpectedly at Indigo Palms Memory Care Facility on Sunday. After years of fighting dementia and memory loss, a sudden bout of illness ended his life, said his daughter Anne Marchman-Jones. "We feel like we got our fair share of time with him, but it's hard because we didn't expect (his death) to be so sudden," Marchman-Jones said Sunday. (Daytona News-Journal)

Monday, February 16, 2009

No. 17 Matt Kenseth winning car inducted into Daytona USA: The victory celebration of the 51st annual Daytona 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race continued Monday morning as Matt Kenseth’s No. 17 DeWalt Ford was inducted into the Daytona 500 Experience – the Official Attraction of NASCAR –during the annual ConAgra Champion’s Breakfast. Kenseth, owner Jack Roush and crew chief Drew Blickensderfer participated in a fan forum inside the attraction and received their winning Daytona 500 leather jackets from Daytona International Speedway President Robin Braig. The three were joined by the rest of the #17 Roush Fenway Racing crew to continue the tradition of signing the car, which will be on display inside the attraction until the 52nd annual Daytona 500 on Feb. 14, 2010. “To win the 500 is really cool,” said Kenseth, who also unveiled the logo for next year’s Daytona 500 to the media attending the event. “It’s pretty cool that the 17 group and team that Jack and Robbie (Reiser, former crew chief, current GM of Roush Fenway Racing) assembled was able to win that first championship and first Daytona 500.” “The first 14 times that I came to Daytona for road racing I always took a trophy home – every time,” said Roush, referring to his Rolex 24 success. “As we started coming with the Cup cars and it didn’t happen right away, I kind of put it out of my mind and decided that I was snake-bit – that I had already had more success than I deserved and I would be denied this one.” Not wanting to jinx his chances of a victory, Kenseth was not prepared for this week’s whirlwind media tour in New York City and California. He had to fly back home after last night’s race to pack before returning to Daytona for this morning’s celebration. “I wasn’t prepared for it kind of on purpose,” Kenseth said. “One year I was thinking, ‘They take you all these places, don’t want you to go home afterwards, you’re gone all week – so I’ll bring some extra clothes.’ That was my worst 500 I think we’ve ever had. “I told (wife) Katie if it happens and we win, I’ll worry about it then. So I had to worry about it last night. They’re not going to let us go home until after California, so I needed to go home for a few hours.” Among the media duties Kenseth will perform this week include appearances on the Late Show with David Letterman on Monday night and Live with Regis and Kelly on Tuesday morning. “As a kid, I always watched Letterman with my dad,” Kenseth said. “Of any TV show I could ever be on, I’ve always wanted to be on Letterman. The first two times I’ve been on there we’ve done the Top 10 list and I’ve never got to meet him or talk to him. This time I think I get to sit down and talk to him so I’m looking forward to that.”(DIS PR)

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Matt Kenseth wins Daytona 500: Matt Kenseth won NASCAR's season-opening Daytona 500 Sunday when heavy rain halted the race after 152 laps, 48 short of the scheduled distance. The victory was the first since November 2007 for the Ford-driving former NASCAR champion, who started from the rear of the field after switching to a back-up vehicle. "I was pretty miserable some nights because we just couldn't make our car handle," Kenseth told reporters. "This back-up car is actually way better than the 500 car. I felt pretty good going into this morning, but I didn't dream we were gonna win." (Washington Post)

Saturday, February 14, 2009

MRN celebrates 40th year of Daytona 500 coverage: Motor Racing Network (MRN Radio) celebrates its 40th DAYTONA 500 tomorrow by broadcasting the event over nearly 500 affiliate stations across North America, highlighted by legendary MRN personality Barney Hall calling his 50th “Great American Race.” “We are thrilled to celebrate our 40th DAYTONA 500 this year and look forward to bringing NASCAR’s most prestigious race to fans throughout North America in multiple languages and across multiple distribution networks including 490 affiliate stations, internet radio at NASCAR.com, and Sirius-XM Satellite Radio,” said David Hyatt, president of MRN. “Our outstanding team of broadcasters, including the legendary Barney Hall, will call the exciting lap by lap action tomorrow. MRN Radio has already covered DIRECTV Speedweeks at Daytona, providing complete coverage of the NASCAR Nationwide Series, Camping World Truck Series, Gatorade Duel at Daytona, and live race talk programming throughout the entire week,” added Hyatt. “In my five decades of calling races, I’ve never been this excited to start the NASCAR Sprint Cup season,” said MRN personality Barney Hall. “I think I speak for the entire MRN team when I tell you we feel privileged to bring the live action from the ‘World Center of Racing’ to the millions of fans across North America. We can’t wait to kick off the 2009 season.”(MRN PR)

Friday, January 23, 2009

NASCAR drivers participate in Rolex 24 hrs at Daytona: The Daytona 500 and the start of the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season is less than three weeks away but a number of drivers and owners will make an early visit to Daytona International Speedway for Saturday’s Rolex 24 at Daytona. Since 1962, NASCAR stars have been a part of the historic, twice-around-the-clock sports car race. A Sprint Cup competitor has shared the winning Grand-Am Daytona Prototype in each of the past three seasons: Casey Mears in 2006 and Juan Pablo Montoya in 2007-08. Both return for this year’s race along with 2006-08 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson, AJ Allmendinger, Colin Braun and Kyle Petty. A number of NASCAR national series owners also stand out among an expected entry of more than 50 Daytona Prototype and GT cars. Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates seeks a record fourth consecutive Rolex 24 at Daytona victory. Richard Childress, Roger Penske and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series owner Kevin Buckler also have submitted entries. The race is set for 3:30pm/et Saturday and ends at the same time on Sunday. FOX will broadcast the Rolex 24 at Daytona from 3-4:30pm/et Jan. 24. SPEED coverage continues from 4:30-10pm/et and continues live through post-race beginning at 7:00am/et Jan. 25.(NASCAR PR)

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Daytona, Auto Club Speedways slash ticket prices: Daytona International Speedway and Auto Club Speedway in Fontana are among several NASCAR tracks planning selected ticket price cuts or other promotions in the face of the poor economy. Daytona International, home of the season-opening Daytona 500 on Feb. 15, said Friday it slashed the price of "a limited number" of seats -- to $55 each from $99 -- in its 58,000-seat grandstands along the 2.5-mile track's back straightaway. Auto Club Speedway, which hosts the following Cup race Feb. 22, cut prices in the first five rows of its main grandstands to $35 a seat from $55. (LA Times)

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

GM renews Daytona International Speedway sponsorship: General Motors Corp. has renewed its decades-long sponsorship of the Daytona International Speedway and its signature stock car race, the Daytona 500, but at a cheaper price. And instead of a multi-year deal, the cash-strapped automaker will sponsor NASCAR's most prestigious event on a year-to-year basis. Financial terms were not disclosed. The renewal ends speculation that GM's money woes, which have triggered a scaling back of corporate sponsorships, would force the automaker to terminate sponsorship of an event that was the top-rated motorsports telecast in North America last year. The multi-year deal expired Dec. 31. GM finalized the new deal Dec. 19, the same day President George W. Bush announced the Detroit automaker and Chrysler LLC would receive up to $17.4 billion in short-term loans. GM has sponsored Daytona for more than 40 years, and motorsports in general provide a prime marketing opportunity for automakers to reach customers who buy domestic vehicles at a rate higher than the national average. The race, which last year drew 33.5 million television viewers, is Feb. 15. GM provides fire and safety vehicles, pace cars and other vehicles for the race, as well as a July race at the track. GM did not disclose how much it spends on the Daytona deal or NASCAR sponsorships.(Detroit News)

Friday, December 19, 2008

NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fan Fests Set For Jan. 16-17: Race fans will receive a sneak peek of DIRECTV Speedweeks 2009 as well as the new NASCAR racing season on Friday, Jan. 16 and Saturday, Jan. 17 with the annual NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fan Fests at historic Daytona International Speedway. Fans can get their “racing fix” prior to DIRECTV Speedweeks 2009 and the 51st annual Daytona 500 with numerous activities with their favorite drivers from the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series in the Sprint FANZONE located in the heart of “The World Center of Racing.”
Among the activities planned for both days include:
* Interactive fan forums
* Autograph sessions
* Show cars, displays, music
* Online auction
* Blood drive
In addition, Richard Petty Driving Experience will be on track with ride and driving packages available. The ride-only packages can be purchased on-site while the driving packages must be purchased in advance at 1-800-BE-PETTY. Tickets, which go on sale Saturday, Dec. 20 at 9 a.m., are $15 with autograph session availability limited to only 100 people per driver in advance. To purchase tickets and request access to the special autograph sessions, call 1-800-PITSHOP.(DIS PR)

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Daytona 500 in 3-D? Fox Sports Chairman David Hill says Fox hopes to let theatergoers use 3-D glasses to watch February's NASCAR Daytona 500. Hill says sports in 3-D is "fabulous," and high-def TV "has just been a steppingstone" to get to 3-D. But even though TV sets already being sold are 3-D-ready, he says don't expect TV networks to lead the way. (USA Today)

June 26, 2007

2007 Pepsi 400 Purse Exceeds $6 Million: The stars of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series will vie for a purse of more than $6 million under the lights at the "World Center Of Racing” in the 49th annual Pepsi 400 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race on Saturday, July 7th at Daytona International Speedway. The posted awards for this year’s mid-summer classic will be a record $6,202,439, an increase of almost $200,000. The posted awards for the 2006 Pepsi 400, which was won by Tony Stewart, was $6,074,820. The winner of this year’s Pepsi 400 will collect a minimum of $284,550. The second, third, fourth and fifth-place finishers in the Pepsi 400 will receive a minimum of $195,575, $160,725, $131,425 and $118,725 respectively. (DIS PR)

June 20, 2007

Finalist in Daytona 500 Celebrity drawn tickets chosen:  Dale Earnhardt Jr., Mario Andretti and comedian Jeff Foxworthy are among the 10 celebrity finalists in the competition to design the 50th anniversary Daytona 500 ticket. To commemorate the milestone of NASCAR's most prestigious race on Feb. 17, 2008, Daytona International Speedway has created "Celebrity Tickets for Charity," asking a long list of celebrities from sports, music, movies and TV to come up with a unique design. (AP/TheSportingNews)

June 13, 2007

Pepsi 400 Media Day; Burton plays D-A-Y-T-O-N-A with NBA Star Redick: NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series star Jeff Burton hopes his luck on the pavement of Daytona International Speedway will be a little better than it was on the basketball court Monday afternoon at the RDV Sportsplex just outside of Orlando. The 2000 Pepsi 400 champion and Duke basketball fan faced off against former Duke basketball guard and current Orlando Magic star J.J. Redick in a game of “D-A-Y-T-O-N-A” as part of the Pepsi 400 Media Day. With retired Orlando Magic star Nick Anderson giving the play-by-play and Daytona International Speedway President Robin Braig serving as the referee, Redick had his way with Burton. “I’m a guest here and my mother taught me to be courteous to guests,” Burton quipped. “My basketball skills aren’t honed, to say the least, but it was fun. I watched a tremendous amount of Duke ball games that J.J. has played in and watched with great interest his pro career. I’m really looking forward to the day that he can play on a consistent basis. “I've watched a bunch of college basketball and the tenacity that he has is really hot. Every night, he had to fight to get shots, and every night he found a way to get them. It was constant, it was a big deal – they just tried to shut him down every night – he had to work his (butt) off to get shots – I have a lot of respect for his willingness to go do whatever it takes. It’s pretty cool to get a chance to meet him.” “After the first three or four shots, I realize I could make it short and sweet but I wanted to make him feel good,” Redick joked. “I always let somebody get a couple of letters on me.” After shooting basketball with Redick, Burton previewed the upcoming Pepsi 400 with the local media. “Honestly, winning at Daytona is a really cool thing,” Burton said. “Ward has won the 500 and I have won the 400 and being able to say that we have both won races at Daytona is a really cool deal. To me, Daytona, Darlington, Charlotte and Indy are the four big races. The 600, the 500, the 400 – any race at Daytona. Those are such big races and certainly something we circle.” Tickets for Daytona International Speedway events are available online at www.racetickets.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.(Daytona Intl. Speedway PR)

July 2, 2006

Old Ball Coach in Attendance: Steve Spurrier was at Daytona International Speedway to watch the Pepsi 400. Spurrier has traveled to selected NASCAR events over the past couple of years since Kerry Tharp, NASCAR's Director of Public Relations, moved to the sport from his job at the University of South Carolina, where Spurrier coaches. "If you're a competitor, you love watching other guys compete," Spurrier said. "I think Americans love to see guys compete and these guys really go at it." Spurrier added that he and his family follow several drivers. "I like Dale (Earnhardt) Jr.," Spurrier said. "My son, Scotty, is a Jeff Gordon fan, and I admire the way Tony Stewart drives." (The. Ledger)

June 30, 2006

J. Gordon to race 24hrs at Daytona:  In a press conference at Daytona International Speedway today, SunTrust Racing car owner/driver Wayne Taylor (and his Surrey Sport LLC company) and SunTrust Racing announced that four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon will co-drive the No. 10 SunTrust Racing car with Taylor and his fellow 2005 Daytona Prototype co-champion Max Angelelli in the 45th annual Rolex 24 At Daytona, January 27-28, 2007. "Of all the NASCAR drivers, Jeff's the guy," said Taylor, a Rolex 24 At Daytona overall winner in 1996 and 2005. "He proved again last weekend his road racing skills are outstanding when he won at Sears Point. I think he's going to be an asset to the team for the Rolex 24." "This is something that I've wanted to do for a long time and I'm really looking forward to it," said Gordon, driver of the No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. "It was important to me to do this with a quality team like Surrey Sport, and I'm looking forward to teaming up with two champions, Wayne and Max." (Grand American Road Racing)

June 28, 2006

Crossfade's Sloan to sing Anthem at DIS: Ed Sloan, lead singer for Crossfade, one of the most powerful and inventive new hard rock bands around, will sing the National Anthem at the Pepsi 400 Nextel Cup Series race at historic Daytona International Speedway on July 1. Tickets for the Pepsi 400 Weekend are available by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.(DIS PR)

June 27, 2006

VP Cheney to attend Pepsi 400: Vice President Dick Cheney will attend the 48th annual Pepsi 400 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race scheduled for Saturday, July 1, at historic Daytona International Speedway, Daytona International Speedway President Robin Braig announced. Vice President Cheney will speak to race fans during pre-race ceremonies for the mid-summer classic as well as meet NASCAR drivers, teams and executives during his visit to "The World Center of Racing." "We're honored that Vice President Cheney will visit Daytona International Speedway and participate in Pepsi 400 pre-race festivities," Braig said. "Vice President Cheney continues the tradition of high-profile elected officials that have visited the 'World Center of Racing'." In the 1984 Pepsi 400, the late President Ronald Reagan gave the starting command from Air Force One. Reagan, who became the first sitting President to attend a NASCAR race, witnessed Richard Petty earn his 200th NASCAR win. President George H.W. Bush attended the 1992 Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway, and current President George W. Bush served as the Grand Marshal for the Pepsi 400 during his 2000 presidential campaign. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld attended last year's 2005 Pepsi 400. (Daytona International Speedway PR)

April 15, 2006:

Daytona Mayor's flight raises question: Mayor Yvonne Scarlett-Golden took a private NASCAR airplane to Miami last week on personal business, raising questions about whether she violated state ethics laws. NASCAR spokesman Ramsay Poston acknowledged that the racing sanctioning body, whose officers donated thousands to the mayor's re-election campaign last November, provided her and a city police officer escort with air transportation from Daytona International Airport to Miami on April 7. But he said the offer was under the condition that she would pay back all expenses under Florida law. He didn't disclose an amount. A state Ethics Commission representative said no complaints had been filed regarding the daylong trip. Scarlett-Golden said Thursday it was a personal flight and would not confirm widespread speculation that it was for a doctor's appointment. She asked City Attorney Bob Brown to research whether the trip violated any laws. "It was a personal issue and I don't want to share it with the newspaper," she said. The 80-year-old mayor has been ill with a bile-duct condition since January, when she spent 15 days in the hospital with a police officer guarding her door for privacy. (Daytona News-Journal)

March 30, 2006:

DIS signs news lease: The first family of racing signed a new lease Wednesday giving this community the biggest bang for its buck of any major pro sports facility, according to a consultant's report. Bill France Jr., Jim France, Lesa France Kennedy and Brian France said the deal shows their commitment to stay and invest here. Members of the Racing and Recreational Facilities Commission, landlord of Daytona International Speedway, unanimously approved the lease Wednesday. Racing will continue here through 2054 under the lease. Annual rent payments by the Speedway for 447 acres of public land jumps from a token $10,000 established in 1957 to help get the racetrack built to $500,000, with regular increases in future years. Efforts in the 1950s to pay for construction of the racetrack by selling bonds had failed when family patriarch Bill France Sr. stepped forward with his plan to take over. "I classify this as the greatest public-private partnership in America," said Bill France Jr., International Speedway Corp. chairman. "We took land that had a value of $4,500 and developed it with the help of a lot of people in the area." (Daytona News-Journal)

Mar. 7, 2006:

DIS seeks new lease today: International Speedway Corp. goes before its landlord today, requesting for a lease extension while it also has asked the state to exempt it from a regional review of a mixed office-retail-residential complex. The board of the Daytona Beach Racing and Recreational Facilities District convenes at 3 p.m. to hear a report from a consultant about the value of the land on which ISC's Daytona International Speedway sits. The company has asked to extend its lease to 2054 and freeze the annual rent at $500,000. The meeting, which is open to the public, will be in the law office of Cobb & Cole, 150 Magnolia Ave., Conference Room A. ISC contends the longer lease is necessary to guarantee racing will continue at the Speedway for decades to come. That stability, in turn, will help attract tenants and investors for a proposed redevelopment of the Speedplex Office Park across the street from DIS. The company also has asked the state Department of Community Affairs to exempt the project from requiring a development of regional impact permit. DRI status adds an extra layer of regulatory approval to make sure the project won't clog highways or cause other problems. (News-Journal)

Daytona International Speedway statement on HOF

Feb. 20, 2006:

Daytona cracks down on scalpers: Scalpers hovering around Daytona International Speedway found themselves to be the target of a sting conducted by Daytona Beach police this past weekend, authorities said. Undercover officers arrested 14 people for peddling tickets along International Speedway Boulevard said Sgt. James Newcomb, of the Daytona Beach Police Department. The ticket hawkers were arrested and brought to the county jail after they sold tickets to undercover officers who posed as race fans looking for a good seat. The most expensive ticket bought was $150 more than the retail value, Newcomb said. Anyone who offers or sells a ticket for more than $1 above the retail price is charged with the resale of an amusement ticket, a second-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to $500 in fines or 60 days in jail. Buyers don't face any penalties because it isn't illegal to purchase a scalped ticket. (News-Journal)

Feb. 17, 2006:

US Olympic snowboarders to serve as Honorary starters of Daytona 500: Olympic snowboard medalists Hannah Teter and Gretchen Bleiler, who led the United States to a 1-2 finish in the women’s halfpipe, have been named Co-Honorary Starters for the prestigious 48th annual Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 19 (NBC 2:30 p.m. ET) at historic Daytona International Speedway. Hannah Teter, a native of Belmont, Vt., captured the Gold Medal in the halfpipe competition in her Olympic debut at the 2006 Torino Games. Teter has been one of the world's best halfpipe riders the past few years winning the 2004 Winter X Games, the 2004 Grand Prix and taking bronze at the 2005 Worlds. Gretchen Bleiler, also making her Olympic debut, took the silver in the halfpipe. In 2005, the Aspen, Colo., resident returned from a torn ACL injury to win the X Games, Gravity Games, U.S. Open and a World Cup at the Olympic pipe at Bardonecchia. Leading up to the Olympics, Bleiler was the 2006 U.S. Grand Prix Champion, winning four of the five events that determined the Olympic team. “We’re proud to have two decorated Olympians wave the green flag for the Daytona 500,” Daytona International Speedway President Robin Braig. “The NASCAR community is proud of all of our Olympians and we’re honored to have Hannah and Gretchen get this prestigious motorsports event underway.” Teter and Bleiler continue to the tradition of high-profile celebrities, politicians and athletes that have served as Honorary Starter for the Daytona 500. Actor Ashton Kutcher waved the green flag for the 2005 Daytona 500 and comedian Whoopi Goldberg started the 2004 edition of “The Great American Race.” Singer Mariah Carey sang the National Anthem and served as the Honorary Starter for the 2003 Daytona 500. (Daytona International Speedway PR)

Feb. 15, 2006:

NBC Actor James Caan Named Grand Marshal For Daytona 500: Actor James Caan, star of the NBC hit drama “Las Vegas,” has been named Grand Marshal for the prestigious 48th annual Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 19 (NBC 1:30 p.m. ET pre-race coverage) at historic Daytona International Speedway. Caan, who garnered an Academy Award nomination for his role as Sonny Corleone in “The Godfather” and an Emmy nomination for his performance as football star Brian Piccolo in “Brian’s Song,” will give the starting command “Gentlemen, start your engines” in the premier motorsports event in the world. Caan, who also starred in popular films such as “Misery” and “Honeymoon in Vegas,” will also ride in one of the Daytona 500 pace cars ahead of the 43-car field. In Las Vegas, which will be moving to Friday nights on NBC at 9 p.m. beginning March 3, Caan stars as Ed Deline, the head of a surveillance team of a casino. On Monday, Feb 6, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Driver Jimmie Johnson had a major guest starring role on the show, playing himself. “We’re proud to have James Caan serve as Grand Marshal and deliver the starting command for the Daytona 500 in front of thousands of race fans and millions more watching on television,” Daytona International Speedway President Robin Braig said. “Attracting an accomplished actor such as James Caan continues the tradition of high-profile actors, athletes and politicians that have kicked off the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series season.” Caan received a Best Actor Award from the Sebastian Film festival for his performance in Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Rain People,” as well as the Actor of the Year honor from the National Associate of Theater Owners for “The Gambler.” Actor Matthew McConaughey delivered the starting command for the 2005 Daytona 500 and President George W. Bush and Academy Award-winning actor Ben Affleck served as the Co-Grand Marshals for the 2004 with Bush giving the starting command. Past Daytona 500 Grand Marshals also include actor John Travolta, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, NFL Hall of Fame quarterbacks Terry Bradshaw, Jim Kelly and Dan Marino. Tickets for Speedweeks 2006 events are available online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP. (DIS PR)

Feb. 8, 2006:

Bon Jovi to perform at Daytona's Tribute to America: As a continuation of Sprint Nextel's sponsorship of Bon Jovi's "Have A Nice Day" tour, the legendary rock band will headline the Sprint Tribute to America prior to the Daytona 500 Feb. 19, which kicks off the 2006 NEXTEL Cup Series season. The pre-race show will air live on NBC from Daytona International Speedway - the World Center of Racing. Now in its third year, Sprint Tribute to America brings top entertainers to Daytona International Speedway to honor the spirit of America and the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. Thousands of people will have a unique opportunity to be up close during the high-energy show. Daytona International Speedway is accepting volunteers immediately at d500showvolunteers.com. The Daytona 500 pre-race coverage on NBC begins at 1:30pm/et Feb. 19, 2006. The race, which starts at 2:30 p.m., also will be broadcast live on MRN. For Speedweeks tickets, visit daytonainternationalspeedway.com or call (800) PITSHOP.  (DIS PR)

Feb. 7, 2006:

U.S. Air Force at DIS: The United States Air Force will have a significant presence at the Daytona International Raceway Feb. 16, 18 & 19, 2006. Air Force Recruiting Service will have a display set up, including the Air Force #21 show car. Prior to the start of the first Gatorade 150 qualifying race a 4 ship of F-15C’s from the 1st Fighter Squadron, 325th Fighter Wing, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida will flyover during the national anthem. For the Hershey’s Kissables 300 Busch race on Saturday, two B-1B Lancer bombers from the 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, will flyover during the national anthem. For the Daytona 500 NEXTEL Cup race on Sunday, two of the Air Force’s newest aircraft, the F-22A Raptor, from the 43rd Fighter Squadron, 325th Fighter Wing at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida will flyover during the Tribute to America pre-race show. Then the two B-1B Lancer bombers from Ellsworth will flyover during the national anthem. Representing the Air Force at the Daytona 500 will be General William Looney III. General Looney is Commander, Air Education and Training Command, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. As commander, he is responsible for the recruiting, training and education of all Air Force people. His command includes the Air Force Recruiting Service, two numbered air forces and Air University. Air Education and Training Command consists of 13 bases, more than 66,000 active-duty members and 15,000 civilians. (United States Air Force PR)

B-1 to provide Daytona Flyovers: United States Air Force B-1 Lancer bombers will fly over the Daytona International Speedway for both the Hershey’s Kissables 300 Busch race on Saturday Feb. 18, 2006 and the Daytona 500 NEXTEL Cup race on Sunday Feb. 19, 2006. The Air Force has 65 B-1B long-range bombers in its inventory. The Lancer is capable of flying intercontinental missions without refueling and has the capability to fly lower and faster with a substantially larger payload than any aircraft in the world. Because of this, the aircraft holds nearly 50 world records for speed, payload and distance. Its four engines put out a monstrous 120,000-plus pounds of thrust that permit the supersonic plane to reach speeds up to MACH 1.2. Its advanced electronic countermeasures are unmatched and designed to enhance survivability in combat. Operation of the B-1B started in 1985 and it still plays a major role in today’s Air Force. (United States Air Force PR)

Feb. 6, 2006:

Daytona 500 Purse: The 48th annual Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 19, America’s biggest and most prestigious motorsports event of the year, will once again carry the biggest purse in the history of stock car racing at more than $18 million. The posted awards for the “The Great American Race” on Sunday, Feb. 19 will be $18,029,052, an increase of nearly half a million. The posted awards for the 2005 Daytona 500, which was won for a third time by Jeff Gordon, was $17,623,980. The winner of this year’s Daytona 500 will collect a minimum of $1,438,155. The second, third, fourth and fifth-place finishers in the Daytona 500 will receive a minimum of $1,034,175, $741,325, $589,500 and $461,925 respectively. Even the last-place finisher in the Daytona 500 will be rewarded with a minimum of $224,665. “The Daytona 500 is without a doubt the biggest motorsports event of the year,” Daytona International Speedway President Robin Braig said. “This year’s event will boost a substantial reward for all the competitors.” Tickets to any of the Speedweeks 2006 events are available online at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP. (DIS PR)

Feb. 4 2005:

Daytona 500 sold-out!: All grandstand seats for the biggest, richest and most prestigious motorsports race in America – the 48th annual Daytona 500 – at historic Daytona International Speedway are sold out, Speedway President Robin Braig announced today. While all the grandstand seats are sold out, fans can still purchase infield tickets for the "Great American Race" - the kick off to the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series season scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 19. Fans can also purchase tickets for other exciting DIS Speedweeks events including the Budweiser Shootout (Feb. 11), Bud Pole Qualifying (Feb. 12), the Gatorade Duel at Daytona (Feb. 16), GM Flex Fuel 250 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (Feb. 17), Crown Royal International Race of Champions (Feb. 17) and the Hershey’s Kissables 300 NASCAR Busch Series event (Feb. 18). "We're happy to announce that the Daytona 500 is once again sold out," Speedway President Robin Braig said. "The fans continue to show that the Daytona 500 is the premier stock car race in America." The Daytona 500 is the most watched motorsports event in America with more than: 200,000 in attendance each year; 34 million viewers tuning into last year’s event on FOX Sports; 2.9 million listeners on more than 500 domestic affiliates on MRN Radio. Nearly one million men and women in uniform listening on Armed Forces Radio in 176 countries; MRN broadcasts to more than 180 U.S. Navy ships at sea. Tickets are available for other Speedweeks events at Daytona International Speedway are available online at http://www.racetickets.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP. (DIS PR)

Jan. 7, 2006:

Jackson Hewitt to sponsor Daytona Preseason testing days: Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, the nation’s second largest tax preparation service and the tax service of NASCAR, will serve as the sponsor for all of the NASCAR testing at historic Daytona International Speedway as well as the popular FanFests. The event will be known as NASCAR Jackson Hewitt Preseason Thunder. "We are honored to have this opportunity to sponsor the highly anticipated, fan-favorite series of events that is NASCAR Preseason Thunder," said Michael Lister, Chairman and CEO of Jackson Hewitt Tax Service. "As the tax service of NASCAR, we're committed to providing 'Fast, Accurate and Professional Service.' Sponsoring these events, which focus on fast-action and providing a great 'service' to fans, is just where we want to be." “We’re delighted to welcome Jackson Hewitt aboard as a sponsor,” Daytona International Speedway President Robin Braig said. “The NASCAR testing sessions at “The World Center of Racing” are vital to every team participating in Speedweeks 2006 and the FanFests are a great way for race fans to get a sneak peek at their favorite teams for the 2006 season.”Throughout the month of January, Daytona International Speedway will be the nerve center of the motorsports world with numerous testing sessions in preparation for Speedweeks 2006.  (DIS PR)

Jan. 6, 2006:

Leno to pace the Daytona 500 with Corvette Z06: A specially outfitted 2006 Corvette Z06 will serve as the official pace car of the 48th running of the Daytona 500, on Feb. 19. "Tonight Show" host and auto enthusiast Jay Leno will drive the pace car. Selection of the Z06 model marks the second consecutive year that a Corvette has been selected as the Daytona 500 pace car. The Corvette Z06 that will serve as the Daytona 500 pace car is mechanically identical to those available at Chevrolet dealerships. It is the fastest vehicle ever offered by Chevrolet and General Motors. With 505 horsepower (377 kw) and 470 lb.-ft. of torque (637 Nm) from its 7.0L all-aluminum, racing-inspired engine, the Corvette Z06 leaps from 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds and has a top speed of 198 mph. It also differs from other production Corvette models with extensive use of lightweight materials, including carbon-fiber front fenders and a chassis comprised of aluminum and magnesium. A racing-ready suspension and large, 18-inch front wheels and 19-inch rear wheels help keep it glued to the tarmac, so it requires no drivetrain modifications to satisfy its role in front of the racing pack. In its official capacity, however, the pace car is outfitted with a variety of safety equipment and highly visible strobe lights. The Corvette Z06's 505-horsepower (377 kw) output is actually more than the power produced by the race cars that will compete in the Daytona 500 - a first for a pace car. This is because of the unique "restrictor plate" rule established for the Daytona and Talladega. racetracks. On these 2.5-mile-long super speedways, the restrictor plate reduces airflow into the engine to limit horsepower and keep race car speeds below 200 mph. With a restrictor plate, racing engine power is reduced from about 750 horsepower to about 450 horsepower. Race cars can still average more than 190 mph on Daytona's long straights. The Corvette Z06 Daytona 500 wears a unique paint scheme, inspired by the hot-to-cool color transition of a space capsule entering Earth's atmosphere at a high rate of speed. The paint scheme is carried out with an elaborate, interlocking scallops design - a twist on hot rod-style flames - that blends "hot" Lemon Drop yellow at the nose of the Corvette with Lemon Glow, Amber Ecstasy, Blazing Copper and Hot Poppy. The colors culminate with a cool Sapphire Trance blue color at the rear of the vehicle. DuPont, the sponsor of Jeff Gordon's #24 Monte Carlo, supplied the colors, which are from the company's "Hot Hues" line of automotive paint. (GM Racing PR)

IROC Series Celebrates 30th Anniversary with Road Course Event in '06: Crown Royal International Race of Champions (IROC) Series officials announced today that it will hold one of its 2006 races on a road course for the first time in 14 years. As part of its 30th anniversary season, the Crown Royal IROC Series will race on the famed road course at Daytona International Speedway (DIS) on Thursday, June 29, in conjunction with the NASCAR Cup race weekend. The Daytona road course event is Race Three of the four-race invitational all-star series, which also includes events held at one superspeedway and two intermediate tracks. The series will make return engagements to three of the tracks it competed at in 2005. The season-opener will be contested at Daytona on the 2.5-mile, high-bank tri-oval on Friday, February 17, followed by a pair of intermediate tracks: Texas Motor Speedway on Friday, April 7 and the season finale at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Saturday, October 28. Daytona and the Crown Royal IROC Series share plenty of history, with its road course being the site of the inaugural 1973-74 IROC Series season finale. Legendary open-wheel driver Mark Donohue won that race and solidified his IROC championship in its first season. A road course event was a regular stop in the series from 1973 to 1991, with NASCAR driver Rusty Wallace winning the last road course event at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) in 1991. “We’ve missed the road racing element of the series over the years and I can’t tell you how thrilled we are to add a road course back into the mix,” said Jay Signore, IROC President and General Manager. “This will be the first time the Crown Royal IROC Series will race on the Daytona road course since our inaugural season. I want to thank Robin Braig (President, DIS) and his staff, as well as everyone at NASCAR and the Grand-Am Series for working with us on the schedule to make road racing once again a part of the challenge for the Crown Royal IROC Championship.” The Crown Royal IROC team will begin testing on Daytona’s 3.56-mile course on January 5, in conjunction with Rolex 24 of Daytona testing, and will return to the track in early February for the superspeedway season opener. (IROC PR)