Fans Vote on Race Format of 2014 Sprint Unlimited at Daytona

Posted on by
A detailed view of the Sprint Unlimited race trophy as it sits in the media center during NASCAR Preseason Thunder at Daytona International Speedway on January 9, 2014 Photo - Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

A detailed view of the Sprint Unlimited race trophy as it sits in the media center during NASCAR Preseason Thunder at Daytona International Speedway on January 9, 2014
Photo – Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Polls Now Open On NASCAR.com and NASCAR Mobile

To Determine Competition Elements Of Most Exciting Preseason Event in Sports

 

For the second year in a row, fans will decide upon a number of competition elements for the Sprint Unlimited at Daytona, the 75-lap, non-points race that kicks off the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing season on Saturday, February 15 (8 p.m. ET, FOX Sports 1, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

Starting Thursday, January 9, 2014, fans can cast their votes to set the overall format and determine key racing elements. Fans will again set the number of laps in each of the three segments, while also voting on how drivers will line up at the start of the race and how they will line up for the restart of the final segment.

 

“We are excited to build off of the success of last year’s event and give our fans another opportunity to help make key decisions that will enhance the excitement around this highly anticipated race,” said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of competition and racing development. “This interactive element is unique to NASCAR – and all of sports.”

Fans can submit their votes within the official NASCAR app, NASCAR MOBILE, or at NASCAR.com/SprintUnlimited. Voting is unlimited and all votes cast through NASCAR MOBILE will count twice. The voting window for the race format will close on Saturday, February 15 at 6 p.m. ET, while voting for the starting order and final segment restart order will close at various times during the race broadcast. Voting results will be announced live during the FOX Sports 1 race broadcast.

Voting Categories:

  • Race Format: Number of laps in each race segment (Voting ends at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 15)
    • Option A: 30 laps/35 laps/10 laps
    • Option B: 30 laps/30 laps/15 laps
    • Option C: 30 laps/25 laps/20 laps
  • Starting Order: How drivers will line up to start the race (Voting ends at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 15)
    • Option A: Most Career Poles (most to least)
    • Option B: 2013 Driver Points Standings
    • Option C: Final Practice Speeds (fastest to slowest times)
  • Restart Order for Final Segment: How drivers will line up for the final segment (Voting ends at the conclusion of the second segment)
    • Option A: Fastest lap in the race (first and second segments both count)
    • Option B: Most laps led (first and second segments both count)
    • Option C: Mandatory pit stop (drivers lineup how they come off pit road)

“Our ultimate goal is to use Sprint’s wireless technology to bring NASCAR Sprint Cup fans closer to our sport, and this is the latest example,” said Steve Gaffney, vice president of corporate marketing for Sprint. “This effort, the Sprint Unlimited, gives fans the opportunity to sit in NASCAR race control and make calls on key elements of the race. We encourage fans to grab their wireless device and seize this unique opportunity.”

“We look forward to partnering with NASCAR and Sprint to host the second Sprint Unlimited at Daytona International Speedway,” said Joie Chitwood III, Daytona International Speedway president. “Our passionate race fans helped create an exciting event last year from start to finish. With two new voting categories and real-time results, this year’s fan-driven event will be as exciting as ever.”

Twenty NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers are eligible to participate in the 2014 Sprint Unlimited at Daytona. Each driver raced his or her way into the starting lineup by winning pole positions in 2013 or by winning past Sprint Unlimited events.

2014 eligible participants include:

·         Denny Hamlin (4 poles)

·         Kyle Busch (3 poles)

·         Joey Logano (2 poles)

·         Jimmie Johnson (2 poles)

·         Matt Kenseth (2 poles)

·         Ryan Newman (2 poles)

·         Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2 poles)

·         Jeff Gordon (2 poles)

·         Carl Edwards (2 poles)

·         Marcos Ambrose (1 pole)

·         Kurt Busch (1 pole)

·         Kevin Harvick (1 pole)

·         Brad Keselowski (1 pole)

·         Mark Martin (1 pole)

·         Jamie McMurray (1 pole)

·         Danica Patrick (1 pole)

·         Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (1 pole)

·         Terry Labonte (past winner: 1985)

·         Ken Schrader (past winner: 1989 and 1990)

·         Tony Stewart (past winner: 2001, 2002 and 2007)

Tickets for the Sprint Unlimited are available online at DaytonaInternationalSpeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP. Fans can follow @NASCAR and @MissSprintCup on Twitter to engage in the #SprintUnlimited conversation.NASCAR MOBILE is available to download for free from the App Store on Apple devices and Google Play on Android devices. Fans can also download the newest version by logging on to NASCAR.com/mobile.