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JIMMIE JOHNSON WINS RECORD THIRD STRAIGHT PEPSI 500 ~ Johnson sets Auto Club Speedway record with fourth win in California~ San Bernardino County, Calif. (Oct. 11, 2009) – The record books were rewritten today as Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe’s/Jimmie Johnson Foundation Chevrolet) won his third straight NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pepsi 500, making him Auto Club Speedway’s winningest Cup driver with four victories in total. The victory, the 45th of Johnson’s career, also moves Johnson into first place in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. “What an awesome car,” Johnson said. “What an awesome day. The caution at the end really had me nervous. I didn’t know what to do on the restarts. The 24 was getting me on some of them, the 42 was racing. I knew once we had three or four laps, I was in good shape, but there at the end, I didn’t really have many laps, so I’m glad I got a good start and got going.” Entering Sunday’s race, Johnson trailed veteran Mark Martin (No. 5 Kellogg’s/CARQUEST Chevrolet) by 18 points. The victory vaults Johnson 12 points ahead of Martin in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup standings. Finishing second at Sunday’s Pepsi 500 was Southern California native Jeff Gordon (No. 24 DuPont/Pepsi Chevrolet) followed closely by Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya (No. 42 Target Chevrolet). Martin and Tony Stewart (No. 14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet) rounded out the top five. “We were just trying to make it interesting because nobody else seemed to be able to do that for the 48, and we certainly couldn’t on that last run,” Gordon said. “It was a great day for the DuPont/Pepsi Chevrolet. We really fought hard all day and all weekend to get ourselves in that position.” Joey Logano (No. 20 Home Depot Toyota), Saturday’s Nationwide Series Copart 300 winner, was the highest finishing rookie on Sunday, placing in 14th. Restarts played a major factor in Sunday’s race as Pole Sitter Denny Hamlin (No. 11 FedEx Ground Toyota) wrecked following a caution on lap 186 and a red flag was issued following an eight-car pileup after a yellow flag on lap 240. The Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup remains tight with Johnson and Martin holding the top two positions. Montoya (-58 points), Stewart (-84 points) and Gordon (-105 points) are all looking to cut into Johnson’s lead as they currently sit in positions 3-5. Sunday’s Pepsi 500 was Auto Club Speedway’s Inaugural Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup race. Multi-platinum recording artist and actor Jesse McCartney performed the National Anthem prior to the Pepsi 500. Kelsey Grammer served as Grand Marshal, giving the most famous command in racing "Gentlemen, start your engines.” Christian Slater took the wheel of the Official NASCAR 2010 Chevy Camaro Pace Car. Audrina Patridge of MTV’s “The Hills” waved the Green Flag to get the Pepsi 500 underway. To experience even more thrills of NASCAR racing at Auto Club Speedway, mark your calendar for the West Coast Premiere of NASCAR with the Auto Club 500 on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2010. For more information call 800-944-RACE (7223), or visit www.autoclubspeedway.com.
50th Running Of The Daytona 500 Will Boast A Record Purse Of More Than $18 Million DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 28, 2008) -- The 50th running of the Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 17 – the most anticipated event in racing history – will carry a record purse of more than $18 million. The posted awards for “The Great American Race” on Sunday, Feb. 17 will be $18,689,238.The posted awards for the 2007 Daytona 500, which was won for the first time by Kevin Harvick in a photo finish over Mark Martin, was $18,386,023. The winner of this year’s Daytona 500 will collect a minimum of $1,445,250. The second, third, fourth and fifth-place finishers in the Daytona 500 will receive a minimum of $1,044,400, $752,400, $598,450 and $471,500 respectively. The last-place finisher in the Daytona 500 will also be well compensated with a minimum of $233,865. The winner for the inaugural Daytona 500 back in 1959 – Lee Petty – collected $19,050 and the last-place finisher – Ken Marriott – earned $100. “It’s no coincidence that the purse for NASCAR’s biggest., richest and most pretigious race -- the 50th running of the Daytona 500 – will be the largest in stock car racing history,” Daytona International Speedway President Robin Braig said. “The winner of this year’s 50th running of the Daytona 500 will be awarded handsomely as well as having the honor of taking home the gold Harley J. Earl trophy.” Other purses for DIRECTV Speedweeks 2008 events are:
Tickets to any of the DIRECTV Speedweeks 2008 events are available online at http://www.racetickets.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.
Kevin Harvick Edges Mark Martin In Wild Daytona 500 Finish Feb. 18, 2007 Harvick, who started seventh on the green-white-checkered finish, got drafting help on the outside from Matt Kenseth on the final lap and edged Martin at the start/finish line by less than a half a car length while a multi-car accident broke out behind. “This is the Daytona 500, can you believe it?” Harvick said in Gatorade Victory Lane. Martin, attempting to win his first Daytona 500 on his 23rd start, said the lack of drafting help coming off of Turn 4 proved the difference at the finish. “When I looked up there at the end, I was minus any pushers,” Martin said. “I didn’t have any help to get it done and that’s the way it goes.” Martin, competing in a part-time NEXTEL Cup schedule with Bobby Ginn Racing, was thrilled with the effort of the team that gave him an opportunity to win the Daytona 500. “I want to say that I didn’t ask for a win in the Daytona 500; I asked for a chance,” Martin said. “Those guys gave me exactly what I asked for, and I let it slip away, slip through my fingers and I’m fine with that. I did my best.” Harvick, whose previous best finish in the Daytona 500 was fourth in 2003 and 2004, beat Martin by .020 seconds, the closest in Daytona 500 finish since the advent of computer scoring in 1993 and the eighth closest in NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series overall. Harvick’s victory was Richard Childress Racing’s first Daytona 500 win since Dale Earnhardt in 1998 and he also set a couple of Daytona 500 records in the process. · His four laps led tied 1975 Daytona 500 champion Benny Parsons for the fewest laps led by a Daytona 500 winner. · His starting position of 34th was the lowest starting position of a Daytona 500 winner. · He became the fifth driver to win both the Daytona 500 and the Orbitz 300 NASCAR Busch Series in the same year. “It’s pretty incredible to be honest with you, to finally break that wall down and then win two days in a row, and then win the biggest race of the season,” Harvick said. “We’ve won the Brickyard 400 but I don’t think there’s anything that can match a Daytona 500 in stock car racing,” Harvick continued. “This is what it is, and this is as big as it gets. I’m just glad that we’re able to accomplish that.” With 47 laps to go, two cars that appeared to be top contenders to win the Daytona 500 crashed. Tony Stewart’s No. 20 Home Depot Chevrolet got loose in Turn 4 and then was nudged by Kurt Busch’s No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge taking both cars out of the race. Busch had led three times for 95 laps while Stewart led twice for 33 laps. “It wasn’t meant to be today,” said an upbeat Stewart. Academy Award-winning actor Nicolas Cage served as Grand Marshal for the Daytona 500 and delivered the starting command, “Gentlemen, start your engines.” Said Cage before the race: “I really want to enjoy each and every one of those words. I want to take my time with that. Those are probably my favorite words in all of sports.” Performing the NEXTEL Tribute To America was Kelly Clarkson, singing the national anthem was Big & Rich and serving as the Honorary Starter was Phil Parsons, brother of the late Benny Parsons. Ticket information for the 50th annual Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2008 is available at www.racetickets.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP. Daytona 500 Champion embarks on whirlwind media tour
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – After a grueling and exciting 500 miles on Sunday, the 2007 Daytona 500 champion will add a few more miles to his itinerary as he takes a whirlwind media tour beginning on Monday.
Kevin Harvick, driver of the No. 29 Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet, will celebrate his victory in Sunday’s “Great American Race” with several more media interviews including a few national television and radio appearances.
Monday’s scheduled appearances include the Daytona 500 Car Induction Ceremony at DAYTONA USA and then the Champions Breakfast, also at DAYTONA USA. ABC’s Good Morning America, ESPN’s Cold Pizza, The Morning Drive on Sirius Satellite Radio and the Late Show with David Letterman are all on Monday’s itinerary. Tuesday, it’s Live with Regis and Kelly, a luncheon with the New York media at the historic Waldorf Astoria and then off to Bristol, Conn., for interviews at ESPN’s headquarters. Wednesday, Harvick boards a plane and it’s wheels up to the West Coast and California Speedway day in Los Angeles and ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live. The whirlwind tour concludes on Thursday with the Rick Dees Radio Show and various other west coast television and radio morning shows. Kevin Harvick Earns First DIS Win In Orbitz 300 DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., -- Kevin Harvick has won the past two Orbitz 300s as a car owner with driver Tony Stewart. On Saturday, he got to experience what a season-opening Busch Series victory at Daytona International Speedway is like as a driver. Harvick, the defending NASCAR Busch Series champion, was running low on fuel but still managed to hold off Toyota’s Dave Blaney to capture his first ever NASCAR win at Daytona International Speedway in Saturday’s Orbitz 300. “What drives me is driving the car, and to drive into Victory Lane is what it’s all about,” said Harvick, who led the final 42 laps of the Orbitz 300 in Richard Childress Racing’s No. 21 AutoZone Chevrolet. “It’s rewarding to drive in there as an owner, to watch them drive in, but there’s just something different about trying to figure out where you’re going and where Victory Lane is and putting the whole day together. Two different perspectives.” Harvick, who started in 31st, delivered Chevrolet its 22nd victory in the Orbitz 300. Being able to earn his first Daytona victory was special for Harvick but he is maintaining his eye on a bigger prize in Sunday’s Daytona 500. “Anytime you can win any race at Daytona, it’s pretty special,” Harvick said. “To get our first one today was really good. And tomorrow our car is handling well, and I think that’s going to be the key to the race tomorrow.” Rounding out the top five were Blaney, Carl Edwards, Clint Bowyer and Mark Martin. Kyle Busch appeared to be the driver to beat early in the Orbitz 300. He led four times for 46 laps before eventually dropping out of the event with a fuel pump problem. Tony Stewart, who was gunning for a third straight Orbitz 300 victory in the Kevin Harvick Inc.-owned No. 33 Chevrolet, finished eighth while Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished seventh. DIRECTV Speedweeks At Daytona will wrap up with Sunday’s 49th annual Daytona 500. For ticket information on all Daytona International Speedway events, visit http://www.racetickets.com or by call 1-800-PITSHOP.
Stewart Captures Third Budweiser Shootout At Daytona DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Tony Stewart kicked off the 2007 NASCAR season by taking the checkered flag under the lights in the 29th annual Budweiser Shootout – his 10th win overall at the Daytona International Speedway. Stewart slipped past Kyle Busch on Lap 63 and then held off the surprising David Gilliland and third-place finisher Kurt Busch to win the All-Star non-points event that features the previous season’s pole winners and past Budweiser Shootout champions. “We were really good,” said Stewart, driver of the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 20 Home Depot Chevrolet. “Speed-wise, we’re unbelievable.” With only eight laps to go, Stewart got Kyle Busch loose and took the lead. “Kyle did an awesome job,” Stewart said. “I don’t know how many guys could have saved that car…he did an awesome job of catching it.” Gilliland, entering his first full season in NEXTEL Cup and making his first Shootout appearance, felt like he earned some respect in the Budweiser Shootout that will help him through the remaining races at Daytona. “It felt really good,” Gilliland said. “You know, our main deal going into tonight was just to get some experience and try and earn some respect running with these guys. I feel like we accomplished that…we made some friends out there.” Hendrick Motorsports’ Jeff Gordon, driver of the No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet, started in the 11th position, but suffered mechanical problems after 31 laps and finished 21st. Ryan Newman, driver of the No. 12 Alltel Dodge, also made an early exit with mechanical problems and finished 20th. Toyota made their first appearance in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series with Brian Vickers and Dale Jarrett. Vickers finished eighth in the No. 83 Toyota while Jarrett in the No. 44 Toyota finished 18th. Tickets for any of the DIRECTV Speedweeks at Daytona events are available online at http://www.racetickets.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.
MRN Affiliate Adds New Programming DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., (Aug. 10, 2006) – MRN Radio “The Voice of NASCAR” and the nation’s largest independent sport radio network, announced today that long-time Virginia/North Carolina affiliate WBRF-FM, 98.1 which serves 40 counties in four states, has added long-form qualifying and NASCAR Performance Live to its programming lineup.
MRN Radio’s complete coverage of long-form qualifying is offered nation-wide prior to each NASCAR NEXTEL CUP Series event.
NASCAR Performance Live hosted by MRN Radio’s Steve Post is produced live each Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. eastern from the NASCAR Technical Institute in Mooresville, NC. NASCAR Performance Live can be heard on over 120 affiliate stations nation-wide.
In addition to the new qualifying programming and NASCAR Performance Live, WBRF currently offers its listeners MRN programming including “NASCAR Today”, “NASCAR Live”, and live race coverage of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series.
“We are happy to have WBRF, 98.1-FM, Blue Ridge Country add yet another element of MRN programming to its lineup,” said MRN Radio President David Hyatt. “The WBRF programming addition helps us continue to expand our reach and provide quality NASCAR programming each week to markets across the country.” Located in Galax, Va., with antenna facilities high atop Fisher Peak, North Carolina, the 100,000-watt station owned by Blue Ridge Radio, serves counties in North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee, reaching NASCAR listeners in Charlotte, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and Statesville, N.C., Blacksburg, Va., Bristol, Tenn., and Bluefield, W. Va. Founded in 1970, MRN Radio is the primary source for NASCAR stock car racing and related radio programming. Its award-winning play-by-play coverage of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, NASCAR Busch Series, and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is delivered via satellite to over 700 terrestrial radio stations nationwide plus the American Forces Radio Network.
Daytona 500 Attracts Record Viewing Audience DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., -- A record network television audience, a sold-out facility with a jam-packed infield and a radio broadcast of “The Great American Race” to more than 500 affiliates with an estimated 7 million listeners plus one million men and women in uniform made the 48th Annual Daytona 500 on Sunday the most watched and listened to motorsports event in America. NBC Sports coverage of last Sunday’s Daytona 500 attracted 37.2 million viewers and drew a record 11.3 household rating/23 share, which made the race the most watched Daytona 500 as well as the highest rated NASCAR event in history according to information released by NBC Sports based on data from Nielsen Media Research. The record 37.2 million viewers for the Daytona 500 exceed the combined total audience of almost any three other motorsports events. MRN Radio, “The Voice of NASCAR Racing” and the nation’s largest independent sport radio network, broadcast their coverage of the Daytona 500 through more than 500 affiliates throughout North America. In addition, the American Forces Radio Network broadcast the event to one million men and women in uniform in nearly 180 countries worldwide. “The numbers prove that the Daytona 500 is the premier motorsports event,” Daytona International Speedway President Robin Braig. “The record television ratings along with the record $18 million purse and $1.5 million payout to the winner prove the Daytona 500 is America’s signature motorsports event.” Jimmie Johnson, driving the No. 48 Lowe’s Home Improvement Chevrolet, held off Casey Mears and Ryan Newman to capture his first career victory in the Daytona 500 and deliver Rick Hendrick his sixth Daytona 500 triumph as an owner. Tickets for the 2006 Pepsi 400 Weekend and Speedweeks 2007 events are available online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP. Daytona enhances fans’ Superstretch experience “World Center of Racing” offers trackside view from hospitality area
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 22, 2006) – That’s not your stomach rumbling inside Daytona International Speedway’s newest Superstretch hospitality area. That’s the cars roaring by at more than 180 mph just outside your hospitality pavilion.
Offering fans yet another unique hospitality option, officials at Daytona International Speedway announced a Superstretch area which gets fans closer to the action than ever before.
“Daytona International Speedway continues to look for ways to enhance our guests racing experience each and every time they visit the “World Center of Racing,”’ said DIS President Robin Braig. “Nothing says racing more than the Superstretch of Daytona. We’re excited to offer our fans this unique hospitality option.”
Located just before the famed high-banks of Turn 3, the new hospitality area sports beautifully landscaped surroundings close enough to the track that you can feel the cars go by. It is specifically designed as an exclusive private, fenced area for guests to enjoy the exciting atmosphere of Daytona’s famed Superstretch. The new area provides musical entertainment, free parking, driver appearances, transportation to the unique infield NEXTEL FANZONE and walking distance to nearby merchandise haulers, tram dropoffs, tents and displays and of course, seats in the famed Superstretch Grandstands – all part of the exhilarating atmosphere of race time at the “World Center of Racing.” The area also includes new display area for vendor trailers, food vendors, corporate displays and 26 100-person chalets on 2 levels.
The hospitality area is part of Daytona International Speedway’s Hospitality Village, located east of massive Superstretch Grandstands and part of the unique festive atmosphere that only surrounds events such as NASCAR’s premier event – the Daytona 500 – and the nighttime holiday spectacle – the Pepsi 400, a tradition held on July 4th weekend each year since 1959.
In addition, DIS Hospitality Village includes Superstretch Terrace Club offering: admission to the fan hospitality tent and area; continuous food service, a NASCAR Celebrity appearance for Question & Answer session, admission to DAYTONA USA, Pre Race/NEXTEL FANZONE Access Pass (Weather and Track Schedule Permitting); in a fun, festive environment w/ music, games and door prizes for only $195.00 per person. To get into the best places for all the races, call 1-800-PITSHOP.
Mark Martin Returns For Curtain Call DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., (Jan. 16, 2006) -- The second wave of NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series teams invaded historic Daytona International Speedway for NASCAR Jackson Hewitt Preseason Thunder on Monday. Mark Martin, driver of the No. 6 AAA Ford with Roush Racing, wasn’t planning on being a part of the test session that teams use to prepare for the 48th annual Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 19 – NASCAR’s signature event. Instead, the 47-year-old Martin, who has never won the Daytona 500, was hoping to step aside from NEXTEL Cup racing in 2006 and complete in a full slate of Craftsman Truck Series races for Roush Racing. But through all the driver changes last season, owner Jack Roush wasn’t able to replace Martin in the No. 6 car and ask him to return for one more season. The Daytona Beach resident obliged and now has more final shot at winning “The Great American Race.” “It’s Daytona,” Martin said. “It’s the biggest race of the year and I need to win it. This is my last chance. I’m just gonna try to get in the front on the last lap and hog the track.” Martin is still mentally preparing for the 2006 season. He calls his offseason and the month of December one of the “busiest ever” as he handled numerous sponsorship obligations and tended his son Matt’s racing aspirations. Martin hopes that the 2006 season will be similar, if not better than 2005, which saw him qualify for the Chase for the NEXTEL Cup and finish fourth in points. “I would really love the 2005 performance to be the last year of my Cup so if I could do that well again in ’06, it would be fantastic, Martin said. “If I could do better than that, obviously it would be a dream come true. It would be incredible. “If we could race for that championship and win it would be the coolest thing. At the same time, realistically speaking, I know the odds that I’m up against and I can’t believe that I was able to personally give the performance that I gave on the race track last year.”
Edwards on Daytona 500 hopes: Carl Edwards, driver of the No. 99 Office Depot Ford for Roush Racing, has been labeled one of the championship favorites. But the Columbia, Missouri native is also dreaming of Daytona 500 glory. “I can’t even imagine winning the Daytona 500,” Edwards said. “My number one goal is to just come out of this thing and go make it to the chase and do all of that, but to actually imagine winning the Daytona 500 and having a dominant car – having that come to reality would be crazy.”
Mears ready for Rolex 24: Chip Ganassi Racing’s Casey Mears, who switches from the No. 41 to the No. 42 with Havoline sponsorship, will make his second start in the Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 28-29. He’ll drive a Ganassi Daytona Prototype with Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon and Scott Dixon. “If we don’t have any major issues, we have a lot of potential to win the race,” Mears said. “It’s fun, but it’s fun because you want to win it. You’re very serious about trying to win it. It’s another one of those big events. The Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400, Indy 500 and the 24 Hours are the biggest races out there. Any time you get in position to win one of those races, you’ve got to go for it.”
Fastest of the day: The first car on track, the No. 5 Chevrolet of Kyle Busch, was the fastest in the morning session with a lap of 186.629 mph. In the afternoon session, Sterling Marlin, driving the No. 14 Waste Management Chevrolet for MB2 Motorsports, posted the fastest speed of the day with a lap of 187.110. Marlin had his other Chevrolet also in the top five in the afternoon session with a lap of 186.405. Marlin, a two-time Daytona 500 champion who is joining MB2 Motorsports after a long tenure with Chip Ganassi Racing, was thrilled with his team after the first day of testing. “It’s all a compliment to the race team,” Marlin said. “Them guys really get after it. It’s been a long time sine we’ve been able come in here and be fastest in (testing).” “Going fast down here at Daytona is about the team,” said Marlin’s MB2 Motorsports teammate Joe Nemechek, who was fourth fastest in the afternoon session with a lap of 186.405. “Anybody can get out there and drive these things around there when you’re doing qualifying runs. It gets back to the motors and all the guys at Hendrick Motorsports worked hard on the engines and as always the MB2 guys build a whole bunch of cars that run fast.”
NASCAR Jackson Hewitt Preseason Thunder FanFest at Daytona: The third of four NASCAR Jackson Hewitt Preseason Thunder FanFests is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 17. The NASCAR Jackson Hewitt Preseason Thunder FanFest, which include fan forums, bands, show cars, pit stop demonstrations and displays, start at 5 p.m. but fans will be able to enter the NEXTEL FANZONE beginning at 9 a.m. to watch all of the exciting testing action. Admission for the NEXTEL Cup FanFest is $15.
Morning single-car speeds 1. Kyle Busch, Chevrolet, 186.629 mph 2. Sterling Marlin, Chevrolet, 186.598 3. Jamie McMurray, Ford, 186.482 4. Scott Riggs, Dodge, 186.305 5. Joe Nemechek, Chevrolet, 186.227 6. Greg Biffle, Ford, 186.139 7. David Green, Chevrolet, 186.073 8. Denny Hamlin, Chevrolet, 185.640 9. Kurt Busch, Dodge, 185.330 10. J.J. Yeley, Chevrolet, 185.322 11. Terry Labonte, Chevrolet, 185.319 12. Dale Jarrett, Ford, 185.227 13. Mark Martin, Ford, 185.170 14. Michael Waltrip, Dodge, 185.025 15. Kyle Petty, Dodge, 184.934 16. Carl Edwards, Ford, 184.869 17. Jeff Green, Chevrolet, 184.509 18. Clint Bowyer, Chevrolet, 184.426 19. Hermie Sadler, Ford, 184.320 20. Casey Mears, Dodge, 184.222 21. Larry Gunselman, Chevrolet, 183.887 22. Kevin Harvick Chevrolet, 183.820 23. Robby Gordon, Chevrolet, 183.722 24. Paul Menard, Chevrolet, 183.655 25. Dave Blaney, Dodge, 183.195 26. Travis Kvapil, Chevrolet, 183.091 27. Mike Wallace, Dodge, 183.009 28. Brent Sherman, Dodge, 182.983 29. Chad Chaffin, Chevrolet, 182.101 30. Kevin Lepage, Chevrolet, 181.664
Afternoon single-car speeds 1. Sterling Marlin, Chevrolet, 187.110 mph 2. Scott Riggs, Dodge, 186.776 3. Jamie McMurray, Ford, 186.494 4. Joe Nemechek, Chevrolet, 186.405 5. David Green, Chevrolet, 186.278 6. Kyle Busch, Chevrolet, 186.097 7. Clint Bowyer, Chevrolet, 186.020 8. Denny Hamlin, Chevrolet, 185.954 9. Greg Biffle, Ford, 185.954 10. Terry Labonte, Chevrolet, 185.889 11. Kurt Busch, Dodge, 185.881 12. Jeff Green, Chevrolet, 185.759 13. Mark Martin, Ford, 185.636 14. J.J. Yeley, Chevrolet, 185.578 15. Carl Edwards, Ford, 185.437 16. Dale Jarrett, Ford, 185.395 17. Hermie Sadler, Ford, 185.060 18. Casey Mears, Dodge, 185.014 19. Kyle Petty, Dodge, 184.850 20. Michael Waltrip, Dodge, 184.649 21. Travis Kvapil, Chevrolet, 184.188 22. Robby Gordon, Chevrolet, 184.011 23. Paul Menard, Chevrolet, 184.008 24. Larry Gunselman, Chevrolet, 183.914 25. Brent Sherman, Dodge, 183.887 26. Dave Blaney, Dodge, 183.681 27. Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, 183.587 28. Kevin Lepage, Ford, 182.934 29. Mike Wallace, Dodge, 182.793 30. Chad Chaffin, Chevrolet, 182.726 31. Stanton Barrett, Chevrolet, 182.526 32. Morgan Shepherd, Ford, 182.345 33. Kirk Shelmerdine, Chevrolet, 181.840
Tickets for Speedweeks 2006 are available online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP. SPEEDWAY HONORS SCOUTS AT POLE QUALIFYING DAY DAYTONA BEACH, FL (Jan. 13, 2006) -- Members of the Central Florida Council of Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts of Citrus Council will have the opportunity to put on their uniforms and enjoy a day of NASCAR NEXTEL Cup competition, as Daytona International Speedway celebrates Scout Day on Sunday, February 12.
A popular outing which draws hundreds each year, Scout Day will honor the area’s scouts during the Speedway’s Budweiser Pole Qualifying Day for the Daytona 500.
As in the past, eligible scouts and scout leaders will include only active members of the Central Florida Council of Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts who are in uniform (shirt and hat). Scouts and scout leaders should report between 8 AM and 1 PM to the grandstand entrance at GATE 18, just west of the NEXTEL Tower, where they will be checked in by a designated scout representative.
Scouts will then receive free admission to unreserved frontstretch grandstand seating to watch the day’s events. Family members and friends of the scouts may purchase General Admission tickets for $25 per person (children 11 and under are free with a paying adult). These tickets may be purchased at Ticket Booth D, adjacent to GATE 18.
For more information on Scout Day, please contact (386) 681 5648. Teams Get In The Draft During NASCAR Jackson Hewitt Preseason Thunder Testing DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., (Jan. 11, 2006) -- Drafting practice dominated NASCAR Jackson Hewitt Preseason Thunder testing on Wednesday as the first wave of NEXTEL Cup teams wrapped up their final day of testing in preparation for the Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 19. Teams practiced between four- and eight-car packs as they shook down their race setups on the legendary 2.5-mile tri-oval while some other teams continued to focus on qualifying set up. Roush Racing’s Matt Kenseth was fastest in the morning session with a lap of 188.403 mph while in the afternoon three-time defending Daytona 500 champion Jeff Gordon led the way with a lap of 189.298 mph. Kenseth, behind the wheel of the new Ford Fusion, is upbeat entering NASCAR’s signature event. “Our test is going pretty good so far,” said Kenseth, who was third fastest in the afternoon session. “We’re happy to get the new Fusion out on the track. I always look forward to the Daytona 500, more so, probably this year, than years past just because we ran pretty good at all the plate races last year. We have hopes that we’ll be competitive and hopefully be part of the outcome.” Two-time Daytona 500 champion Bill Elliott, who only competes in select events for Evernham Motorsports, continued to put his name near the top of the speed charts in the No. 36 MB2 Motorsports Chevrolet. Elliott is doing a one-race deal with MB2 Motorsports as he hopes to qualify for the Daytona 500, a race he has missed for the past two years. “Everything is still the same, it's still the same thing,” said Elliott when asked how things have changed at DIS. “You've got to do well in a draft, you have to have a car handling and that's what I always like about Daytona is you can run good for a few laps. But if your car is not really under you, then you can't continue that through the full run. Especially here when the race is on Sunday afternoon, and it's a warm afternoon because the heat gets on the racetrack and it's hard to keep a hold out. “That's what I've noticed here today is after six, eight, 10 laps on your tires, the racetrack really gets greasy, and that's what makes Daytona so much fun, you've got a handle, you've got to be able to run wide open and that's the only way you're going to be able to win this thing.”
Stewart Ready For The Rolex 24: Tony Stewart skipped this week’s NASCAR Jackson Hewitt Preseason Thunder testing as he prepares to compete in the Chili Bowl in Tulsa, Okla. Veteran driver Mike McLaughlin filled in for Stewart in the No. 20 Home Depot Chevrolet. Stewart, who won last year’s Pepsi 400 in dominating fashion, will be among the NASCAR drivers that will be competing in the upcoming Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 28-29. He’s scheduled to team up with Butch Leitzinger and Andy Wallace in the No. 2 Howard-Boss Motorsports Pontiac Crawford in the challenging twice-around-the-clock challenge. “I've always enjoyed trying different things and driving different cars I've never ran before,” said Stewart via videoconference. “Being able to go run a 24-hour race, it was the idea of running a 24-hour endurance race is something I've never done before. Ever since I did the first one, it's something I look forward to doing every year now.”
Coming Up: Next up during NASCAR Jackson Hewitt Preseason Thunder will be the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, which will test Jan. 13-15 in preparation for the season-opening Feb. 17 Daytona 250. The NASCAR Jackson Hewitt Preseason Thunder FanFest for the Craftsman Truck Series is slated for Friday, Jan. 13 and will include fan forums, bands, show cars, pit stop demonstrations and displays. The festivities start at 5 p.m. but fans will be able to enter the NEXTEL FANZONE beginning at 9 a.m. to watch all of the exciting testing action. Admission for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series FanFest is $10. The remaining FanFest dates are Jan. 17 for NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Fan Fest and Jan. 21 for the NASCAR Busch Series Fan Fest
Etc: Dale Earnhardt Inc. teammates Dale Eanrhardt Jr. and Martin Truex Jr. swapped seats during Wednesday’s afternoon test session to evaluate each other’s race cars . . . Jeff Fuller, driving the No. 80 Chevrolet for Joe Gibbs Racing, spun in the afternoon session but drove away without making any contact.
Wednesday’s NASCAR Jackson Hewitt Preseason Thunder Speeds Morning speeds
Afternoon speeds
Tickets for Speedweeks 2006 events are available online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.
Tuesday testing speeds from NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Testing at Daytona International Speedway: January 10, 2006 Tuesday Morning Speeds:
Tuesday Afternoon Speeds
Q and A With Bobby Waltrip: Dirt Track Announcer Part Of The Family’s DIS Legacy DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., (Dec. 28, 2005) -- Darrell and Michael Waltrip are the only brother combination to win the Daytona 500 – NASCAR’s biggest, richest and most prestigious event. But many race fans don’t realize that another Waltrip brother – Bobby – has also captured a winner’s trophy at “The World Center of Racing.” Bobby Waltrip, whose older brother Darrell is the 1989 Daytona 500 champion and younger brother Michael is the 2001 and 2003 Daytona 500 champion, is a former go-kart racer who has competed at Daytona on the dirt track and even claimed a victory at Daytona International Speedway during Four-Cycle Day. Nowadays, the 52-year-old Waltrip’s voice can be heard over the public address system as he announces during the Dirt Track Championships at Municipal Stadium during Daytona KartWeek by Cometic Gasket. Waltrip looks back on his go-kart memories at Daytona and explains why the trip is so special to him.
How long have you been racing go-karts? “I’ve been racing go-karts since I was 12. I was the one in the family that never graduated from go-karts. I stayed in it. I made it my life. I make my living do it now. I quit driving back in 1996 or ’97. Shortly thereafter I got involved in the broadcasting side as far as promoting karting on TV and became WKA’s national dirt announcer. It’s my fifth year at Daytona in the announcing booth.”
Why is it so special to come to Daytona International Speedway and race go-karts? “It’s Daytona. It was always a deal where no matter what you do in racing, whether it’s Cup or sports cars or go-karts, the best of the best come to Daytona. That’s something you want on your resume. That’s the reason why we make the trek down here. Starting back in 1991, I have raced here competitively and now I get to sit up in the tower and talk about it.”
Are you proud to be a part of the Waltrip racing tradition at Daytona International Speedway? “Darrell is my older brother and Michael is my younger brother. We have a history here at Daytona. I haven’t won the Daytona 500 like those two have, which they are the only two brothers to have won the Daytona 500. But I won a big race at the big Speedway as well. I feel fortunate to be a part of that.”
Do your brothers know you make the trek down here every Christmas? “They know it for years. I moved from Kentucky to North Carolina in 1990 and helped Darrell build his NEXTEL Cup shop. After we got that done, it took about a year and a half, I started competing in go-karts again. The biggest thing on my list was I had to go to Daytona to race go-karts. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. It’s the aurora, the stigma that goes with it and the prestige of racing at Daytona. I think you’ll find that with almost everybody you talk to. You want to come here and at least participate and have a chance to win.”
Late Tuesday Results WKA/Briggs & Stratton Dirt Track Championships at Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium Briggs Lite: 1. Michael Taylor, Daytona Beach, FL; 2. Denver Smith, Bassett, Va.; 3. J.R. Tippens, Covington, Ga. Briggs Super Heavy: 1. Dan Sox, W. Columbia, S.C.; 2. Bill Pyburn, Jacksonville, Fla.; 3. David Hicken, Callahan, FL. Briggs Jr. Sportsman 1 Lite: 1. Patrick Ingui, Loganville, Ga.; 2. Eric Lee Riggins, Charlotte, N.C.; 3. Preston Kirkpatrick, Ocala, FL. Briggs Jr. Animal Champ: 1. Jake Crum, Statesville, N.C.; 2. Darek McCauley, Chesterfield, Va.; 3. Matthew Ridgeway, King George, Va. Briggs Sr. Champ Lite: 1. Jason Lineweaver, Winchester, Va.; 2. Jeremy Marlin, Ocala, Fla.; 3. Marc Mode, Morresville, N.C. Briggs Animal Heavy: 1. Justin Bridges, Royston, Ga.; 2. Dan Sox, W. Columbia, S.C.; 3. Michael Schumacher, W. Columbia, S.C.
Gordon, Johnson, Earnhardt Jr. Highlight First NEXTEL Cup Test Session At DIS DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., -- The 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series will kick off with a pair of much anticipated test sessions at historic Daytona International Speedway in preparation for the prestigious season-opening 48th annual Daytona 500 on Feb. 19. The list of teams expected to participate in the first NEXTEL Cup Series test session on Jan. 9-11 include (list is tentative and subject to change):
The list of teams expected to participate in the even-numbered NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series test session on Jan. 16-18 include (list is tentative and subject to change):
NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fan Fest dates, which will coincide with January’s NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR Busch Series testing sessions at the “World Center of Racing,” will be held on the following days:
The Fan Fest events, which include fan forums, bands, show cars, pit stop demonstrations and displays, start at 5 p.m. but fans will be able to enter the NEXTEL FANZONE beginning at 9 a.m. to watch all of the exciting testing action. Admissions for the NEXTEL Cup Fan Fest dates are $15 while Busch and Craftsman Truck Series admissions are $10. Fans can watch all of the January testing sessions free from the Oldfield Grandstands located just outside of DAYTONA USA:
Tickets for NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fan Fests are available online at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.
MOTOR RACING NETWORK SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Oct. 8: "Bud Pole Qualifying" for NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series "United Way 300" NASCAR Busch Series Oct. 9: "Banquet 400" NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series *For a complete list of affiliate stations go to: www.mrnradio.com. MRN RADIO WEEKLY LINE-UP Sundays "NASCAR U.S.A." 10:00 a.m. ET Tune in to 500 affiliate stations weekdays for "NASCAR TODAY," MRN's daily news show. Hosted by MRN Radio anchor Joe Moore, this show will keep you up to date on the happenings in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, NASCAR Busch, and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. MRN Radio, Spanish Radio Network Form Partnership DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 25, 2005) - MRN Radio "The Voice of NASCAR" and the nation's largest independent sports radio network, announced today a new partnership with Radiovisa Network. Radiovisa is a 24/7 Spanish-language talk radio network that produces and syndicates long and short form radio programming targeting U. S. Hispanics. MRN Radio and Radiovisa will provide live flag-to-flag coverage of five select NASCAR events in predominately Hispanic markets including coverage of the California 300 NASCAR Busch Series event and the Sony HD 500 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series event at California Speedway. Additional coverage will include the Banquet 400 at Kansas Speedway, the Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway, and the season-ending Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. MRN Radio will offer additional daily programming on the weeks leading up to NASCAR event weekends. "We are proud to be associated with such a first-class organization as Radiovisa as we continue to broaden and diversify our fan base," said MRN Radio President David Hyatt. "We are excited to provide quality NASCAR programming each week to Hispanic markets across the country." "NASCAR has made a vast effort over the past 2 years to increase Hispanic interest in their great sport," stated Ray De La Garza, Radiovisa Chief Operating Officer. "Through the addition of their first NASCAR race in Mexico and the increasing participation of Hispanics in the sport itself, those efforts have truly. MRN Radio and Radiovisa will also produce daily radio programming covering the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series and the Chase for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Championship. Leitzinger, EFR Capture Brumos Porsche 250 DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Motor Racing Network (MRN) and Radiovisa, a 24-hour Spanish-language radio network will partner to air three NASCAR races in 2005 beginning with this weekend's "Stater Bros. 300" NASCAR Busch Series race and the "Auto Club 500" NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race Feb. 26-27 from California Speedway in Fontana. Radiovisa will also travel to Mexico City for NASCAR's first ever Mexico-based race, the Telcel Motorola Mexico 200, from Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on March 6th, 2005. Unprecedented List of Special Guests For NASCAR's Daytona 500 Continues To Grow American War Hero Jessica Lynch and World Series Champion Johnny Damon To Be Part of Festivities DAYTONA
BEACH Fla., (Feb. 15, 2005) - Two of the most popular and well known figures
in America - American war hero Jessica Lynch and World Series champion
Johnny Damon - will participate in pre-race ceremonies for the 47th annual
Daytona 500 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race on Sunday, Feb. 20 (FOX, 1 p.m.). The Daytona 500 - The Great American Race More than 200,000 spectators will converge on Daytona International Speedway, and viewers around the country will tune in for NASCAR's most prestigious race, the 47th Daytona 500. More than 33 million people tuned in to all or part of NBC's broadcast last year, and the 2005 version of the "Great American Race" will feature Ashton Kutcher as the honorary starter and Matthew McConaughey as Grand Marshal. The race features a field of 43 cars and the 500 mile race consists of 200 laps around a 2.5 mile track. Coverage of the 2005 Daytona 500 airs live on FOX on Sunday, February 20 starting at 1 p.m. ET. Vanessa Williams to Sing National Anthem at NASCAR's Daytona 500 Star to also take part in NEXTEL Tribute to America Pre-Race Show DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., February 15, 2005 - Vanessa Williams, who has recorded such hits as "Save The Best For Last" and "Colors of the Wind" from Disney's animated film "Pocahontas," will pull double duty for Daytona International Speedway, singing the National Anthem prior to the Daytona 500 and taking part in the NEXTEL Tribute to America, the pre-race extravaganza leading up to NASCAR's biggest, richest and most prestigious race on Sunday, Feb. 20 (FOX, 1 p.m.). In addition to the National Anthem, Williams, who has starred in such films as "Eraser," "Dance With Me" and "Light It Up," and recently released her latest album "Everlasting Love" on Jan. 25, will sing "America The Beautiful" during the NEXTEL-sponsored show, which will be carried live on FOX. The show, produced by Atlanta based Q and A Entertainment, will pay tribute to music as the fabric of America and will feature thousands of cast members on the Speedway's historic five-acre tri-oval grass. "What a treat for our race fans to have Vanessa Williams perform twice," said Daytona International Speedway President Robin Braig. "Her appearance proves once again that the stars show up at Daytona." In addition to Williams, a star-studded group of entertainers, including country music superstar Clint Black, Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson, Columbia Records recording sensations John Ondrasik and "Five For Fighting," will highlight the NEXTEL Tribute to America. Black, a Grammy Award-winning artist and multiple Country Music Association award winner, will sing his No. 1 hit single "Nothin' But The Taillights." Among Black's more than 20 No. 1 hit singles are "A Better Man," "Killin' Time," "Like the Rain," "Something That We Do" and "When I Said I Do," a duet with his wife Lisa Hartman Black. Wilson, the singer, songwriter, producer, arranger and composer whose latest solo album "Brian Wilson Presents SMiLE" is nominated for three Grammys including "Best Pop Vocal Album" and "Best Rock Instrumental Performance," will sing the legendary Beach Boys hit single "Good Vibrations." "Five For Fighting," whose lead singer and song writer is John Ondrasik, will sing the No. 1 hit "100 Years" from their latest album "Battle For Everything." Tickets for Speedweeks 2005 events are available online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP. The Daytona
500 - The Great American Race More than 200,000 spectators will converge
on Daytona International Speedway, and viewers around the country will
tune in for NASCAR's most prestigious race, the 47th Daytona 500. More
than 33 million people tuned in to all or part of NBC's broadcast last
year, and the 2005 version of the "Great American Race" will
feature Ashton Kutcher as the honorary starter and Matthew McConaughey
as Grand Marshal. The race features a field of 43 cars and the 500 mile
race consists of 200 laps around a 2.5 mile track. Coverage of the 2005
Daytona 500 airs live on FOX on Sunday, February 20 starting at 1 p.m.
ET. Matthew McConaughey Named Grand Marshal for Daytona 500 Film Star Continues Celebrity Tradition With Appearance at "Great American Race" DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., (Feb. 8, 2005) - Actor Matthew McConaughey, who will star in the soon-to-be-released Paramount Pictures movie Sahara, has been named Grand Marshal for the 47th edition of The Daytona 500. The "Great American Race" is scheduled to run on Sunday, Feb. 20. has starred in more than 30 films including popular releases such as How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, A Time to Kill, Contact and The Wedding Planner, McConaughey will give the command "Drivers, start your engines" in NASCAR's biggest, richest and most prestigious stock car race in the world. His Grand Marshal duties also include leading the 43-car field in the pace laps from the Grand Marshal pace car. "The stars we have coming to the Daytona 500 get bigger and bigger each year," said Speedway President Robin Braig. "We're excited to have Matthew take part in Daytona 500 pre-race festivities to help kick off what will be an exciting 2005 season." Based on a Clive Cussler bestseller, Sahara is a modern action-adventure story of NUMA agent (National Underwater Marine Agency) and master explorer, Dirk Pitt (McConaughey), who discovers that thousands of North Africans are being driven mad by something polluting the water. If unchecked, the entire world population could be threatened. McConaughey continues the tradition of high-profile celebrities, athletes and politicians that have participated in or attended the Daytona 500, NASCAR's annual season-opening event for its premier racing series. President George Bush showed up at the 2004 Daytona 500 in which actor, director and writer Ben Affleck served as Grand Marshal. International superstar actor John Travolta served as Grand Marshal in the 2003 Daytona 500 to joining a list of esteemed past Grand Marshals including Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and NFL Hall of Fame quarterbacks Terry Bradshaw and Jim Kelly. LeAnn Rimes sang the national anthem during the pre-race festivities for the 2004 Daytona 500 and Mariah Carey, the biggest selling female pop artist of all time, sang the 2003 Anthem. Celebrities such as former heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield, Wimbledon champion Serena Williams, American Idol judge Randy Jackson and action movie star Vin Diesel all have attended NASCAR's most watched race. Tickets for Speedweeks 2005 and the 47th annual Daytona 500 are available online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP. Sixth-Generation Corvette To Pace The 47th Annual Daytona 500 Pace Car Unveiled On National TV Morning Show NEW YORK
(Feb. 8, 2005) - Dale Earnhardt Jr., the 2004 Daytona 500 champion, unveiled
the all-new 2005 Corvette that will pace the 47th annual Daytona 500 NASCAR
NEXTEL Cup Series season opener during the national broadcast of Fox &
Friends on Tuesday morning. DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., (Feb. 3, 2005) - Motor Racing Network (MRN) Reporter Steve Blevins, was honored by the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) with three awards including co-winner of the prestigious "Barney Hall Award" at the NMPA Awards Banquet in Charlotte, N.C. earlier this week. For their outstanding radio coverage of NASCAR races in 2004, the NMPA also recognized three other MRN reporters for their exceptional work. Those honorees include: Radio Spot
News: Radio Feature: Long Form
Feature: Barney Hall
Award: "To be honored by our peers is such a great accomplishment by our entire staff," said network President David Hyatt. "As NASCAR's fan base continues to grow, we're excited to provide award-winning coverage to millions of fans around the world." MRN, the nation's largest independent sports radio network, will continue its award-winning NASCAR coverage as it kicks off the 2005 season at Daytona International Speedway with coverage of the "Rolex 24" on Saturday, Feb. 5 beginning at 11:30 p.m. (ET) and the "Great American Race" - the legendary Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 20. David
Green Back On Track After Kidney Stone Assistant
Principal Turns Racer: Kim Crosby said during a break in Busch Series
testing that she has quit her job as an assistant principal to running
a full Busch Series schedule. Crosby resigned from Slidell Junior High
in Slidell, La., to focus driving the No. 24 Boudreaux's Butt Paste Chevrolet
in the 2005 Busch Series season. Fastest of the day: Tony Raines posted the fastest time in the morning session with a speed of 182.304 mph while Paul Menard was on top of the speed chart in the afternoon with a lap of 185.185. Testing
Complete: The January testing season at Daytona International Speedway
is complete. The next event is the 43rd anniversary of the Rolex 24 At
Daytona on Feb. 3-6. The twice-around-the-clock will also serve as the
grand opening to the newly renovated infield of "The World Center
of Racing." Monday's
morning speeds Scott
Riggs, Joe Nemechek Opening Eyes During Testing Burton Likes
New Infield: Jeff Burton, who drives the No. 31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet
for Richard Childress Racing, gave a thumbs-up to the new Daytona International
Speedway garages, which include windows for fans to look inside. Crown Royal
IROC field announced: Crown Royal IROC officials announced the driver
lineup for the 2005 Crown Royal IROC Series, which kicks off its 29th
season on Friday, Feb. 18 at historic Daytona International Speedway. Elliott To
Compete In Budweiser Shootout: Two-time Daytona 500 champion Bill Elliott
announced he'll compete in the Feb. 12 Budweiser Shootout at Daytona International
Speedway driving a Dodge for Chip Ganassi Racing with Coors Light sponsorship.
The car will carry the No. 39 and feature a retro Coors Light paint scheme
that Elliott made famous in the 1980s. Gordon announces sponsors: Robby Gordon, who is owns and drives the No. 7 Chevrolet in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, has announced two sponsors for the 2005 season. Fruit of the Loom and Jim Beam will serve as primary sponsors during select races. Tickets: For tickets to any of the Speedweeks 2005 events, go online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or call 1-800-PITSHOP. Wednesday's
morning speeds Wednesday's
afternoon speeds
Jarrett
Chasing Fourth Daytona 500 Win Lost
in the renovation: Greg Biffle had a chance to familiarize himself with
the new Daytona infield during the recent Rolex 24 At Daytona test. But
the 2003 Pepsi 400 champion and 2004 Daytona 500 pole winner still didn't'
realize where he was standing during this week's NEXTEL Cup Series test
session. Late Start: Morning rain showers delayed the start of the final day of testing. Teams were able to get on track around 1:30 p.m. and tested through 7:30 p.m. While some teams worked on qualifying setups, other teams participated in drafting sessions. Truck FanFest On Tap: The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will next test at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday and Sunday. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Preseason Thunder FanFest is scheduled for Saturday in the new FanZone in the infield of the Speedway. During the day, fans that purchase a FanFest ticket can watch testing from the FanZone. Beginning at 5 p.m., the FanFest will begin with bands, pit stop demonstrations, auctions and inquisitive fan forums. Admission is $10 and the proceeds from the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Preseason Thunder FanFest will also benefit Victory Junction Gang Camp and The Women's Auxiliary of Motorsports. Tickets: For any events at Daytona International Speedway, tickets can be purchased online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP. Thursday's
Speeds Smirnoff Ice(R) Switches Gears; Brand Shifting NASCAR Sponsorship to Kurt Busch for 2005-2006 Seasons STAMFORD, Conn., Nov. 12, 2004 (PRNewswire) -- After two successful seasons with Matt Kenseth and the #17 car, the Smirnoff Ice "Be Smart, Drink Responsibly" sponsorship is shifting drivers to Kurt Busch and the #97 Roush Racing Sharpie/Irwin car for the 2005 and 2006 racing seasons. The move was precipitated by DEWALT, the #17 Team's primary sponsor, retaining full sponsorship opportunity within its own business. "We are extremely proud of our relationship with Matt Kenseth and the overwhelming success of the "Be Smart, Drink Responsibly Program," said James Stammer, marketing director for Smirnoff Ice. "Last season we reached more than 100 million racing fans with our responsibility message and we look forward to continuing this success and keeping Smirnoff Ice at the front of the NASCAR field with Kurt." "I am honored to have worked with such a great sponsor and brand for the last two years in Smirnoff Ice," said Kenseth. "It was great to play an important role in its 'Be Smart, Drink Responsibly' awareness campaign, and that we're able to reach millions of consumers. I am glad that Smirnoff Ice is remaining in the Roush Racing family. Kurt Busch will be a great ambassador for the brand." With 11 career NASCAR Cup victories and the current leader in the Chase for the Cup Championship, Busch, 26, is clearly one of NASCAR's rising stars. On the track, his competitive style of racing gives Smirnoff Ice an excellent chance to add another championship title to the one delivered last year by Kenseth. Off the track, Busch presents Smirnoff Ice with a contemporary image in line with the brand and its consumers. "I am thrilled and excited about partnering with Smirnoff Ice and helping spread the word about its responsible drinking initiative each race weekend," said Busch. "I know Smirnoff Ice was a big supporter of Matt on the racetrack for the last two years, and I'm hoping a little of that will rub off on the #97 Team and give us an edge." Kurt will kick off the Smirnoff Ice sponsorship on November 14, during the Mountain Dew Southern 500 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway, where he will unveil his #97 Smirnoff Ice racecar for the first time. Kurt will also feature the #97 Smirnoff Ice racecar at three primary races in 2005: May 29 at Lowes Motor Speedway in Charlotte; July 2 at Daytona International Speedway; and September 5 at the California Speedway. Smirnoff Ice will be an associate sponsor of the #97 racecar for the remaining races in 2005. The sponsorship also includes driver appearances, #97 Smirnoff Ice show cars and official flavored malt beverage status at select racing venues, image rights and a large hospitality program. About Diageo: Diageo makes beer, wine, and spirit products, with more than 300 brands sold in nearly 200 countries around the world. These brands include Johnnie Walker(R), Guinness(R), Smirnoff(R), J&B(R), Baileys(R), Jose Cuervo(R), Tanqueray(R), Captain Morgan(R), and Beaulieu Vineyard(R) and Sterling Vineyards(R) wines. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands and performance, visit us at http://www.diageo.com/. About Roush Racing: Roush Racing is a subsidiary of Livonia, Mich., based Roush Industries that operates nine motorsports teams; five in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series with drivers Mark Martin, Matt Kenseth, Kurt Busch, Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards; two in the NASCAR Busch Series with Martin, Kenseth and Biffle; and two in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with drivers Jon Wood and Edwards. For more
information, visit our website at http://www.roushracing.com/. HALIFAX
HUMANE SOCIETY'S 8th ANNUAL Daytona Beach, FL - November 10, 2004 Attention all NASCAR fans. If you have tickets to the Daytona 500, you will not want to miss the Halifax Humane Society's Annual NASCAR Memorabilia Auction. This year's event is scheduled for Wednesday, February 16, 2005 in a tent right on Speedway property and promises to be a night to remember. We'll have plenty of Nextel Cup NASCAR items in everybody's price range. The silent auction will begin at 6:00 pm with the live auction to follow at approximately 7:15 pm. Tickets are $20 per person and includes a free dinner buffet. Seating is limited but tickets are usually available at the door. There are hundreds of items to bid on including sheet metal, die casts, crew uniforms, beautifully framed photographs and prints, caps, jackets, collectibles, several multi-signature items, plus we even have a children's section and several non-NASCAR items. Items go for $1 to $5,000+. 99% of the items are signed by the top Nextel Cup drivers including Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, Kyle Petty, Michael Waltrip, Dale Jarrett, Sterling Marlin, Jeremy Mayfield, Terry Labonte, Ricky Rudd, Ward Burton, Mark Martin, Matt Kenseth and more! We have several items from all the top drivers. Tickets may
be purchased on-line at www.halifaxhumanesociety.org or by calling (386)
274-4703 ext. 28. Several "top items" will be available on-line
as well. Mark your calendars now and be part of Daytona's largest NASCAR
Memorabilia Auction. Monies raised will help pay for the shelter's new
adoption lobby and expansion. Fan-Friendliness
to Highlight Daytona Renovation Project Daytona Beach, Fla. (Oct. 13, 2004) - When the bulldozers are gone and the concrete has set, guests visiting historic Daytona International Speedway for Speedweeks 2005 will find a newly renovated infield highlighted by first-class amenities which fans visiting the "World Center of Racing" have grown accustomed to. "ISC continually looks for ways to improve our facilities and the race experience for everyone by focusing on the needs of our guests, business partners and participants," said Lesa Kennedy, President of International Speedway Corporation. "Our newest amenities will offer a variety of entertainment and fun for our race guests as they enjoy their time at the "World Center of Racing." In addition
to acres of free parking and free bus service to and from off-site parking
lots to the Speedway, part of Daytona International Speedway's massive
multi-million dollar, multi-faceted infield renovation project will allow
fans to stroll along the new, exciting and uniquely-designed infield Fan
Zone and get "In the Zone" by experiencing: To experience
the changes at the "World Center of Racing," call 1-800-PITSHOP
to purchase tickets to all 2005 Speedway events. Due to the threat of Hurricane Frances, DAYTONA USA, the "Official of Attraction of NASCAR," will closed at noon on Thursday, Sept. 9 and will remain closed on Friday, Sept. 10 and Saturday, Sept. 11. DAYTONA USA will reaccess operating hours for next week. For
more information on DAYTONA USA, contact (386) 947-6800. Daytona International Speedway hosts Singing Talent Contest Winner to sing before thousands during Pepsi 400 Weekend 5/19/2004 DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - If you have the voice, Daytona International Speedway wants to help you show it off in front of thousands of fans at the "World Center of Racing." Taking a page from the popular "American Idol" television series, the Speedway has begun a superstar talent search of its own, "Straightaway to Stardom" with the lucky winner performing the National Anthem in front of thousands of race fans prior to Circle K Pole Qualifying Night on July 1. Teaming with Black Crow Broadcasting and Volusia Mall, in addition to singing at Circle K Pole Qualifying Night, the grand prize winner will also receive credentials for three (3) guests for the Circle K Pole Qualifying Night, four (4) tickets to the Busch Series Winn-Dixie 250 Presented by PepsiCo and four (4) tickets to the Pepsi 400. The winner will also receive studio recording time at Audio Recording Services in Orlando and a Volusia Mall gift certificate worth $250 to purchase apparel to wear during their National Anthem singing debut at Daytona International Speedway. Once the contest entry phase begins on May 17, only the first 200 entries will be accepted. Those finalists will be contacted by Speedway officials for additional contest information. "We have a lot of talented singers in our community," said Speedway President Robin Braig. "We want to hear what they have to offer and want to showcase that local talent to the thousands of fans who attend our events." Round One of the competition will take place Saturday, June 5 beginning at noon in the Volusia Mall food court-area. Local guest judges will whittle the field of 200 down to 50. Round two takes place in the shadows of Daytona International Speedway at DAYTONA USA on June12 as judges cut the field to 10. Top 10 finalists will be invited back to DUSA for the final round to take place on June 19. Contestants can enter "Straightaway to Stardom" via mail, email or fax. Visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com for contest rules, regulations and additional information. PORSCHE SUPERCUP DRIVER GRAF HITS THE ROAD TO NASCAR INDIANAPOLIS, Wednesday, April 14, 2004 - Porsche Michelin Supercup veteran Klaus Graf could join a rare group of drivers who have raced on both the oval and road course at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, as he is racing a limited schedule of NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series races this year. Graf will compete in at least two NEXTEL Cup races this year, beginning with the Dodge/Save Mart 350 road race June 27 at Sonoma, Calif. BAM Racing, which fields the No. 49 Schwan's Home Service Dodge for driver Ken Schrader, will run Graf in up to seven races in 2004. No other starts were confirmed. Graf, 32, is the first German-born driver to compete in NASCAR's top series. "My dream all of my life is to compete among the best in motorsports," Graf said. "I am thrilled with the opportunity." The Brickyard 400 is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 8 on the famous 2.5-mile oval at Indianapolis. Graf could become only the seventh driver to compete on the oval and road circuit at Indy during their career, joining Juan Pablo Montoya, Jacques Villeneuve, Mario Andretti, Al Unser Jr., Sam Hornish Jr. and Alessandro Zampedri. Graf competed in both Porsche Michelin Supercup series races last September on the 2.605-mile road circuit at Indianapolis during the United States Grand Prix. He placed 20th in the first race after being eliminated in an early, two-car accident and finished ninth in the second race in a Walter Lechner Racing School Porsche 911 GT3. Graf has tested with BAM at Virginia International Raceway and Kentucky Speedway. He finished third in the PFG Lester 150 ARCA RE/MAX race April 9 at Nashville Superspeedway, leading late in the race during his first oval event. "This guy can flat-out drive a stock car," said Eddie Jones, BAM Racing general manager. "When we first went to Virginia to test on the road course, I was really impressed with what I saw. The question was - can he drive an oval too?" The answer to that question came quickly. "After the test at Kentucky, I was completely convinced he has what it takes," said Scott Eggleston, BAM crew chief. "After the ARCA race at Nashville, I think everybody else in motorsports is convinced he has what it takes." Graf has raced in the Porsche Michelin Supercup, the Porsche Carrera Cup, prototype sports cars and the Le Mans 24 Hours, Formula 3 and Formula Ford. Dale
Earnhardt Jr.'s No. 8 Inducted Into DAYTONA USA 2004 Daytona 500 Is A Sellout DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., (Feb. 14, 2004) - All grandstand seats for the 46th annual Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 15 at historic Daytona International Speedway are sold out, Speedway officials 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. The Daytona 500, which boasts a purse of nearly $16 million, is the biggest, richest and most prestigious race in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. Tickets are
available for the next NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race at Daytona International
Speedway - the 46th annual Pepsi 400 on Saturday night, July 3 - can be
purchased online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeeby or by calling
1-800-PITSHOP. Hershey's
Kisses 300 To Be Completed On Monday Martin Truex Jr. On The Pole For Hershey's Kisses 300 DAYTONA
BEACH, Fla., (Feb. 13, 2004) -- Martin Truex Jr., driving the No. 81 Bass
Pro Shops Chevrolet for owners Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Teresa Earnhardt,
captured the pole for Saturday's Hershey's Kisses 300 NASCAR Busch Series
race at historic Daytona International Speedway. Earnhardt
Jr., Sadler Earn Gatorade 125 Victories Tickets for Speedweeks 2004 events are available online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP. NASCAR NEXTEL CUP SERIES STAR NEWMAN DRAWS TOP SPOT; RULES CHANGES EXPECTED TO MAKE FRIDAY'S CROWN ROYAL IROC SERIES OPENER AT DAYTONA EXCITING AS EVER DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., (Feb. 11, 2004) Over the past year, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series competitors have become accustomed to seeing the back bumper of young gun Ryan Newman. But on Friday, drivers from other top racing series' will also know how it feels to follow Newman to the green flag as he drew the top starting spot for the season-opening event for the Crown Royal IROC Series at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, Feb. 13. Newman drew the top starting spot Wednesday afternoon over 11 other drivers representing the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, IRL IndyCar Series, USAC, and the World of Outlaws. Fellow young gun Jimmie Johnson will start on the outside of the front row followed by World of Outlaws veterans Danny Lasoski and Steve Kinser, with defending NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series champion Matt Kenseth rounding out the top five. "We don't qualify very well (at Daytona) so it's cool to be able to start up front," said Newman. "In an IROC race you be about sixth after the first lap. We'll see how it works out. I look forward to the opportunity in the IROC Crown Royal Series and hopefully we can do some good things in the races and get the million dollar victory." Along with drawing the starting positions for Friday's race, Crown Royal IROC officials announced rule changes that are designed to heighten the level of competition throughout the 40-lap event. At Lap 25, a competition yellow will halt the racing action and the pits will be closed. Bonus points of 3-2-1 will be awarded to drivers in the first three positions respectively. The field will line up single file behind the pace car after taking the yellow flag. The race leader will assume the center groove ahead of the remainder of the field. Starting with the second place car, one by one, in order of position, the drivers will make a decision as to which lane he will take forming a double file line up behind the leader for the restart of the race. Once realigned, there will be five double file rows behind the leader leaving the driver in last place the option to restart in the groove of his choice as a consolation. Giving the drivers a choice as to where they restart the race for the final segment adds another dimension of individual driver strategy and excitement to the event. This year's Crown Royal IROC Series opener is scheduled to take the green flag at 5 p.m., and will be the first IROC race to finish under the lights at Daytona International Speedway. Later that night, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will race run under the lights for the first time ever at the World Center of Racing in the Florida Dodge Dealers 250. For ticket
information, call 1-800-PITSHOP or log on to www.daytona500.com. 1. Ryan Newman,
No. 12, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series COOK CAPTURES POLE FOR FLORIDA DODGE DEALERS 250 IN DEBUT WITH PPC RACING; TOYOTA QUALIFIES THIRD IN NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES DEBUT DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., (Feb. 11, 2004) Terry Cook didn't take long to get his new team up to speed as he put his No. 10 PowerStroke Diesel Ford on the pole for Friday night's Florida Dodge Dealers 250. Cook, who moved to PPC racing in the off-season, turned a lap of 183.643 mph as the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series veteran continued his strong performances at Daytona International Speedway. Cook has finished no further than ninth in four starts at the "World Center of Racing." "We had our back against the fence because we had no provisionals," said Cook. "We had no points and to come here and sit on the pole * this is big. This is Daytona." Raybestos Rookie-of-the-Year candidate Chase Montgomery qualified on the outside of the front row in his No. 8 Bobby Hamilton Racing Dodge. Montgomery also spoiled the debut of the Toyota Tundra into the Craftsman Truck Series, as he bumped defending series champion and third-place qualifier Travis Kvapil off the front row with a lap of 183.113 mph late in the qualifying session. Dennis Setzer qualified fourth in his No. 46 Chevy Silverado, while Matt Crafton rounded out the top five his is No. 6 Goodwrench Silverado. Even though Montgomery is a rookie, he's no stranger to Gatorade Victory Lane at Daytona International Speedway as he won last year's Advance Auto Parts 200 ARCA RE/MAX Series race at Daytona. He hopes his success at Daytona will pay off on Friday night. "I'm going up against guys like Terry Cook, Steve Park, Travis (Kvapil) and Jack Sprague," said Montgomery. "A lot of former champions - a lot of guys that have experience at (Daytona) in the (NEXTEL) Cup Series and know a lot more about drafting than I do. Fortunately I've got a great coach in Bobby Hamilton whose won at Talladega. We've had success at superspeedways in the past so I'm looking forward to Friday night." With the solid qualifying debut for new manufacturer Toyota, all four manufacturers landed spots among the top four qualifiers. "I knew we would do well, but not this well," said an excited Travis Kvapil. "Toyota didn't have a lot of time to fine-tune the engine, but they should be very proud of the improvements they made from testing in January." The Florida Dodge Dealers 250 will roll off at 8:00 p.m. on Friday night and will make history as the first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race run under the lights at the World Center of Racing. For ticket
information, call 1-800-PITSHOP or log on to www.daytona500.com Whoopi
Goldberg Named Honorary Starter for Daytona 500 DAYTONA BEACH, FL., Feb. 4, 2004 - Academy®, Emmy, Golden Globe, Grammy and Tony-Award-winning superstar Whoopi Goldberg will serve as Honorary Starter for the 46th annual Daytona 500. Coverage of "The Great American Race" begins Sunday, Feb. 15 at 12 noon (ET) on NBC-TV. The Daytona 500 - the richest and most prestigious stock car race in the world with $14 million at stake - kicks off the 2004 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup season. As the Daytona 500's Honorary Starter, Goldberg will drop the green flag, signaling drivers to begin racing the 2.5 mile course for its 200 laps - or 500 miles - duration. Goldberg currently headlines NBC's hit comedy "Whoopi," which she also executive produces, starring as Mavis Rae, an opinionated pop-diva-turned-hotel-owner. The series airs Tuesday nights at 8:00 PM (ET). While this role marks her latest in a series of scripted ones, she is equally well-known for her tireless humanitarian efforts for children, the homeless, human rights, education, substance abuse and the fight against AIDS. Having made her feature film debut in Steven Spielberg's "The Color Purple," Goldberg earned both an Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe Award for the film. Her lauded performance in the blockbuster "Ghost" won both an Oscar and a Golden Globe. For the Daytona 500 festivities, she will join other popular celebrities who have duties for the drivers. Academy Award®-winner Ben Affleck ("Good Will Hunting," "Paycheck") will serve as Grand Marshal, proclaiming the command "Drivers, start your engines!" In addition, Affleck - commandeering the driver's seat of the official Grand Marshal pace car -- will also lead the 43-car field in pace laps before the race. In making the announcement about Goldberg, Speedway President Robin Braig said, "Since 'The Great American Race' is so embedded in our country's legacy of marquee sports events, we're fortunate that stars of this magnitude are always so eager and willing to be a part of this grand tradition. Plus, we get the opportunity to draw that much more attention to the Daytona 500 by having them join in the ceremonies, customs and celebrations of this prestigious race." True to that notion, past Grand Marshals have included 2003's John Travolta, as well as NFL Hall of Fame quarterback and FOX commentator Terry Bradshaw and Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, while Mariah Carey - the best-selling female pop artist of all time - sang the national anthem during the pre-race festivities for last year's event. And former heavyweight boxing champ Evander Holyfield, Wimbledon Cup winner Serena Williams, "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson, and action movie star Vin Diesel ("XXX," "The Fast and the Furious") have all attended NASCAR's most-watched race. Goldberg's other films include "Sister Act," "The Lion King," "Star Trek: Generations," "Boys on the Side," "Deep End of the Ocean" and "Girl, Interrupted." On television, she also had a recurring role for five seasons on "Star Trek: The Next Generation," starred in the Emmy-nominated HBO movie "In the Gloaming" and "The Wonderful World of Disney's 'Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella'," and has had Emmy nominated turns during her four stints hosting the Academy Awards ceremonies. From 1998-1992, she also appeared in the center square and executive produced the syndicated hit game show "Hollywood Squares." Goldberg is also the executive producer of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical "Thoroughly Modern Millie" and recently returned to perform herself in the revival of "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom." WANT TO BE ON TV?: The World Center of Racing is looking for 4,000 volunteers over the age of 13 to be in the national spotlight, taking part in the heart-pumping pre-race revelry leading up to "The Great American Race" - the prestigious Daytona 500 on Feb. 15, 2004. The high-energy pre-race, featuring Grammy Award-winning musical entertainment and a world-class, first-of-its-kind pre-race show at Daytona International Speedway, will be televised live on NBC and produced by Q&A Entertainment. To participate in the event and for more information, call 386-947-6792. Tickets for Speedweeks 2004 and the 46th annual Daytona 500 are available online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP. ARCA,
IROC Get Rolling At DIS Record
Daytona 500 Purse Increases Nearly $2 Million Crown Royal
announced as IROC sponsor: The International Race of Champions announced
a multi-year agreement with Crown Royal to serve as the official title
sponsor of the IROC Series. Elliott ready
for the Budweiser Shootout: Two-time Daytona 500 winner Bill Elliott will
be racing the No. 91 Evernham Motorsports Dodge in the Budweiser Shootout,
Saturday night, Feb. 7 under the lights at historic Daytona International
Speedway. During this week's NEXTEL Cup Series testing, Elliott, who is
running a limited schedule in 2004, has been gaining information that
will not only help himself, but his Evernham Motorsports teammates as
well. Jeff Burton
lands sponsor for the Daytona 500: While Jeff Burton's No. 99 Roush Racing
Ford lacks a full-time sponsor, he has secured funding for the season-opening
Daytona 500. Burton's No. 99 Roush Racing Ford will feature a TNT and
NBA All-Star event paint scheme. On top of the speed chart: Ken Schrader, driver of the No. 49 Dodge for BAM Racing, was the fastest on the final day of NEXTEL Cup Series testing on Thursday with a speed 187.793 mph. Ricky Rudd, driver of the No. 21 Motorcraft Ford for the Wood Brothers, is the fastest car of the entire NEXTEL Cup Series test session with a lap of 188.470 mph, which was turned on Wednesday. Drivers did participate in a drafting session at the end of the day and rookie Johnny Sauter, driver of the No. 30 AOL Chevrolet, was fastest with a lap 189.713. Next up is NASCAR Busch: The NASCAR Busch Series is next up on the Preseason Thunder testing schedule. The odd-numbered teams in the 2003 NASCAR Busch Series owner's standings will test on Saturday, Jan. 17 and Sunday, Jan. 18 while the even-numbered teams will test on Tuesday, Jan. 20 and Wednesday, Jan. 21. All test sessions are free and open to the public with access to the Oldfield Grandstand through the lobby of DAYTONA USA. FanFest Continues:
The next Preseason Thunder FanFest is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 17
with NASCAR Busch Series drivers. Included in the $5 admission are fan
forums that feature question and answer sessions between fans and drivers,
DAYTONA USA's Pit Stop Challenge, show cars and a silent auction of autographed
items. Thursday's
speeds from NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series testing in preparation for the Feb.
15 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway: Speedweeks 2004 tickets, including the 46th annual Daytona 500, are available online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP. Brian
Vickers Readies For First Daytona 500 Start
Fastest
of the test: Ricky Rudd, driver of the No. 21 Motorcraft Ford for the
Wood Brothers, posted the fastest speed of Preseason Thunder in the afternoon
session with a lap of 188.470 mph. Testing open to the public: NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series testing will conclude on Thursday. All testing is free and open to the public with access to the Oldfield Grandstand through the lobby of DAYTONA USA. Wednesday's
speeds following the first day of the second session of NASCAR NEXTEL
Cup Series testing in preparation for the Feb. 15 Daytona 500 at Daytona
International Speedway:
Craftsman
Truck Series Wraps Up Three-Day Test Session The Chase is on in a truck: Chase Montgomery was participating in his first Craftsman Truck Series test at Daytona International Speedway but is familiar with the "World Center of Racing's" Gatorade Victory Lane. Montgomery, who'll compete in Bobby Hamilton Racing's No. 8 Dodge in the Florida Dodge Dealers 250, captured the Advance Discount Auto Parts 200 ARCA RE/MAX Series race during Speedweeks 2003. Next up is
NEXTEL Cup: The even-numbered teams in the 2003 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series
owner's points will kick off their three-day test session on Tuesday at
Daytona International Speedway. Headlining the list of drivers expected
to test are Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Ryan Newman, Rusty Wallace, Sterling
Marlin, Bobby Labonte and Terry Labonte. Test speeds
from the third day of NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series testing at Daytona
International Speedway in preparation for the Feb. 13 Florida Dodge Dealers
250: Speedweeks 2004 tickets, including the Florida Dodge Dealers 250, are available online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP. Kvapil
Ready For Another Close Finish DAYTONA
BEACH, Fla., (Jan. 11, 2004) - Travis Kvapil finished second in a three-wide
photo finish in last year's Florida Dodge Dealers 250, losing out to winner
Rick Crawford by .027 seconds. Ready for
the lights: For the first time in event history, the Florida Dodge Dealers
250 will be held under the lights on Friday night, Feb. 13. Both Steve
Park, driver of the No. 62 Orleans Dodge, and Kvapil sounded off about
nighttime racing at historic Daytona International Speedway. Fastest on the day: Bobby Hamilton's Dodge was the fastest after the second day of testing with a lap of 180.774. Following Hamilton, rounding out the top speeds were Carl Edwards (180.647), Phil Bonifield (180.556), Chad Chaffin (180.350) and Steve Grissom (180.281) Daytona Mystic: Dodge driver Chad Chaffin of Smyrna, Tenn., said he's excited about driving at Daytona International Speedway: "Twenty years ago, maybe 30 years ago, (Daytona) was the only race that was really on TV. Everybody grows up dreaming about racing at Daytona, so it's great to be here. There's a lot of mystic involved with the place." Testing open: All the test sessions during Preseason Thunder is free and open to the public with access to the Oldfield Grandstand through the lobby of DAYTONA USA. Test speeds
from the second day of NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series testing at Daytona
International Speedway in preparation for the Feb. 13 Florida Dodge Dealers
250:
Daytona
500 Champion Michael Waltrip Caps 'Terrific Test' Cars and
pucks: Evernham Motorsports, the National Hockey League and Action Performance
Companies, Inc. unveiled a new NHL All-Star paint scheme for the No. 19
Dodge Dealers-UAW Intrepid driven by NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series driver Jeremy
Mayfield. McMurray
ready for sophomore season: Jamie McMurray, the 2003 Raybestos Rookie
of the Year, is optimistic about his chances coming into his sophomore
year driving the No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing Texaco/Havoline Dodge. He's
looking forward to Speedweeks and his second Daytona 500 start. Filling in: Dave Blaney filled in for Scott Wimmer in the No. 22 Caterpillar Dodge for two days of this week's NEXTEL Cup Series test session and Mike McLaughlin subbed for Tony Stewart on Thursday. Speedweeks 2004 tickets are available online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP. Thursday's
overall non-drafting speeds 60 Days Until The Daytona 500: This is the final part of a six-part series previewing the exciting events surrounding Speedweeks 2004, which includes the 46th annual Daytona 500 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series event - the "Great American Race." Past releases profiled the Gatorade 125's, the Florida Dodge Dealers 250 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race, the Hershey's Kisses 300 NASCAR Busch Series race, the Budweiser Shootout and Bud Pole Day. The Daytona
500: NASCAR's Most Coveted Prize Daytona International Speedway To Host NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fan Fest DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 9, 2003) - Bands, pit stop demonstrations and inquisitive fan forums with your favorite drivers are just some of the exciting features fans will experience at the all new 2004 NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fan Fest at historic Daytona International Speedway. Coinciding with January's NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR Busch Series testing sessions at the "World Center of Racing," officials at the Speedway announced dates for the unique NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fan Fest. The
5-10 p.m. events will be held on the following days: Scattered along the frontstretch outside the gates of legendary DIS, the scheduled fan festivals will feature show cars, bands, sponsor displays, race team haulers and other exhibits. The high-energy event will also include fan forums, engine building and pit stop demonstrations, silent auctions and food and fun all set in the shadow of one of motorsports most storied venues. On each Fan Fest day, fan forums with drivers and NASCAR officials will be moderated by MRN, FOX or NBC celebrity announcers. While all displays and entertainment outside is free to the public, tickets to enter the NEXTEL Cup events are $10 and $5 for the NASCAR Busch Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck events. Only fans purchasing tickets to the Cup, Busch and Truck Fan Fest events will receive gift bags that will include: driver's autographed pictures, DAYTONA USA admission vouchers, NASCAR Magazine, posters and other fan goodies. Fans
can also experience the high-speed excitement of all testing sessions
free. NASCAR Preseason Thunder annual testing sessions at Daytona International
Speedway are as follows Proceeds from the NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fan Fest will benefit Victory Junction Gang Camp, NASCAR Wives Auxiliary, Speediatrics and Brenners Children's Hospital. Magical Combination: Daytona 500 Excitement and Disney Tradition - American Legend Mickey Mouse To Lead the "Great American Race" New York, New York (December 4, 2003) - In keeping with the theme for the February 15, 2004, Daytona 500, "Great American Race," Mickey Mouse, an American icon, has appropriately been tapped to be featured on the event car that will make a historic 2.5 mile journey leading the pace car and starting field at the Daytona International Speedway to commence the 46th annual event. In addition, Daytona and Disney officials at the Waldorf-Astoria today announced their entry into a licensing agreement in support of this special promotion that covers a wide variety of merchandise, including apparel, novelties and collectible die-cast vehicles featuring five of Disney's most beloved characters; Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, and Peg Leg Pete. T-shirts and collectible die-cast vehicles featuring the Daytona 500 and Disney graphics will be available at regional retail locations in the southeast, including Wal-Mart and Kmart stores. Additionally, the collectible die-cast vehicles will be available nationwide at mass retailers and specialty NASCAR stores. Items can also be purchased trackside at the race and online at nascar.com and 1-800-pitshop.com. "The Daytona 500 and Disney enjoy reputations steeped in tradition and family entertainment," said Daytona International Speedway President Robin Braig. "It's only natural that we will come together at NASCAR's most prestigious race. We're thrilled to be working with the excitement and quality of the Disney brand." "The Mickey-branded event car at The Daytona 500 is one part of Disney's ongoing celebration of Mickey Mouse's 75th Anniversary," said Philip Shaw, senior vice president of Global Innovation for Disney Consumer Products. "We are proud to have Mickey included in the race." Daytona 500 will support Mickey's involvement in the race and the merchandise program through a variety of marketing, advertising and promotions, including the Daytona 500 event program and the "Road to Daytona." The "Road to Daytona" is a program that includes the caravan of show cars, each a Chevrolet Monte Carlo, that feature Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy and Peg Leg Pete that will make their way from central Florida to Daytona in the month leading up to the Daytona 500. Each car will visit local Wal-Marts and Chevrolet dealerships en route to Daytona International Speedway. The events will feature fun radio remotes and great photo opportunities. From a promotional standpoint, a special $195 Disney ticket package for fans wishing to attend the 2004 kickoff to the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup season is being offered by Daytona International Speedway. The package includes: a superstretch grandstand ticket for the ultimate motorsports event - The Daytona 500 - pre-race pit pass access to the Great American Pre-Race, a Daytona 500 / Disney t-shirt and a Daytona 500 / Disney event cap. Tickets for Speedweeks 2004 including the 46th annual Daytona 500 are available online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP. Previous Stories Mike
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