Andrew Booth, Senior Manager of Media Relations at Daytona International Speedway is our guest on Fan4Racing Fan2Fan NASCAR & Race Talk on Monday, February 9, 2015 at 8:40 pm ET. During the LIVE broadcast, call 714-202-9918 or tweet @Fan4RacingSite or @Sal_Sigala with any questions or comments.

Daytona News & Notes – February 2015

Check back for more updates as the days wind down to events at Daytona International Speedway in February 2015. During Race Weekend, look for schedule, practice, and qualifying reports posted here

Tickets for the 57^th annual DAYTONA 500 and all Budweiser Speedweeks 2015 events are on sale now and available by calling 1-800-PITSHOP or visiting www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com

Fans can follow NASCAR on Twitter and stay up to speed on the latest news by using hashtag #DAYTONA500 and #SPEEDWEEKS. Fans can also stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest for the latest news all season long. Fans can follow the latest on DAYTONA Rising, the $400 million frontstretch renovation at the “World Center of Racing” by using #DAYTONARising on Twitter or visiting www.daytonarising.com.

201-MPH Lap Gives Jeff Gordon DAYTONA 500 Pole

* DAYTONA 500 Qualifying Presented By Kroger Produces Elite Front Row of Gordon-Johnson

* Front Row Represents 10 NASCAR Sprint Cup Titles, 5 DAYTONA 500 Victories

 Qualifying for the DAYTONA 500 this year was for the first time a group effort, but it produced a singular result on Sunday that immediately found a special place in the event’s hallowed history.

When the DAYTONA 500 debut of NASCAR’s tournament-style “knockout” qualifying was complete, Jeff Gordon – starting his final fulltime NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season and running his final DAYTONA 500 – emerged as the polesitter for next week’s (Sunday, Feb. 22) 57th running of the “Great American Race” at Daytona International Speedway. Gordon won the third and final round of qualifying with a fast lap of 201.293 mph. It’s the first 200-mph pole speed for the race since Bill Elliott rocketed to 210.364 in 1987.

Gordon, driving the No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet, assured himself a spot in the field as did the second-fastest (201.135) qualifier in the final round, two-time race champion Jimmie Johnson in the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet.

“This is definitely huge for many reasons,” Gordon said, starting with his team’s mastery of the knockout qualifying format that he called crazy, chaotic – and strategic. “And then you add in that it’s the DAYTONA 500 … the emotion of the announcement I made to start the season … this is my last DAYTONA 500. This is a very special day.”

This is arguably the most elite front row in race history. Gordon and Johnson have 10 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championships between them (Gordon four, Johnson six) and five DAYTONA 500 championships (Gordon three, Johnson two).

The top two qualifiers are locked into the event and will start from the pole in the two 150-mile Budweiser Duel At Daytona races on Thursday night – Gordon in the first qualifying race, Johnson in the second. The Budweiser Duel races will establish positions 3-32 in the DAYTONA 500 starting grid. Positions 33-36 go to the four fastest drivers from qualifying who haven’t made the field via their Budweiser Duel efforts, which also secures Carl Edwards a starting spot. Since Edwards is making his debut with a new team at Joe Gibbs Racing, there are no 2014 car owner points to fall back on, the criteria to fill positions 37-42 for the DAYTONA 500. If Edwards hadn’t qualified well, he would’ve been forced to rely on his Budweiser Duel-race finish to make the field.

U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team Named Honorary Starter for the 57^th Annual DAYTONA 500

Abby Wambach, Kelley O’Hara and Christie Rampone will represent the U. S. Women’s National Soccer Team as the Honorary Starters of the 57^th annual DAYTONA 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, Feb. 22 at 1 p.m. at Daytona International Speedway (TV – FOX, FOX Deportes; Radio – MRN Radio, SiriusXM).

In addition to serving as the Honorary Starters for the 200-lap, 500-mile race that kicks off the new NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, the trio will also be introduced at the driver’s meeting and participate in pre-race ceremonies.

“We’re honored to welcome three members of the U.S. Women’s National Team as Honorary Starters for the DAYTONA 500,” Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III said. “We’re looking forward to having these phenomenal athletes wave the green flag on both ‘The Great American Race’ as well as the new NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.”

Beginning June 6, the U.S. WNT will be participating in the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada (TV – FOX). The U.S. team, which is ranked second in the world in the most recent FIFA Women’s World Rankings, is a superpower in women’s soccer having won four Olympic Gold Medals and two FIFA Women’s World Cups. For more about the WNT, please visit ussoccer.com/womens-national-team.

Past DAYTONA 500 Honorary Starters include actor and humanitarian Gary Sinise, NASCAR Hall of Famers Bobby Allison and Richard Petty, NFL legend Ray Lewis and comedian Whoopi Goldberg.

Matt Kenseth Wins Sprint Unlimited At Daytona

Enfinger Takes Wins ARCA Racing Series Season-Opener For Second-Straight Year

Two-time DAYTONA 500 champion is back in Gatorade Victory Lane. After a winless 2014 season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Kenseth captured the 75-lap non-points Sprint Unlimited on Saturday night at Daytona International Speedway.

 

“It was a great start for the week [leading up to the Feb. 22 DAYTONA 500],” Kenseth said. “Hopefully we can keep up the momentum for the rest of the week.”

 

The Sprint Unlimited rolled off with 25 drivers, a high-profile mix of 2014 pole winners, former Sprint Unlimited winners and DAYTONA 500 pole winners who competed full time in 2014, Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers from 2014, plus several others who qualified based on final 2014 series championship standings. Quite different from the event’s 1979 debut, which featured nine drivers – 1978 pole winners only – racing for 20 laps. That one lasted 15 minutes and was won by Buddy Baker who, earlier that afternoon, had captured the pole for the DAYTONA 500.

 

After a Lap 23 crash, however, 18 cars remained in contention in this 37th running of the event. The 14-car accident started when Greg Biffle’s Ford hit former DAYTONA 500 champion Jamie McMurray’s Chevrolet from behind, turning it sideways with the rear wheels briefly off the ground – directly into the path of the field. The race was red-flagged due to the clean-up required; that lasted 14 minutes, 42 seconds. When the race was restarted on Lap 30, two-time DAYTONA 500 champion Dale Earnhardt Jr., seeking a third Sprint Unlimited victory, was the leader.

 

A late dust-up took several more cars out of the mix, setting the stage for a four-lap dash to the finish. Kenseth, in the No. 20 Dollar General Toyota, outdueled the No. 78 Furniture Row Chevrolet of Martin Truex on the final lap, with the help of some cagy blocking moves. Kenseth’s margin of victory: 0.219 seconds. Carl Edwards, in his debut run as Kenseth’s Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, finished third in the No. 19 Arris Toyota.

 

The 75-lap/187.5-mile race was divided into 25- and 50-lap segments. The first segment ended under caution after 2012 series champion Brad Keselowski crashed in the tri-oval, ruining his night.

Grant Enfinger won the Lucas Oil 200 Presented By AutoZone – the season-opening race for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards – for the second straight year prior to the Sprint Unlimited, driving the No. 23 Alamo Rent A Car Chevrolet. Enfinger edged Daniel Suarez’s No. 15 Arris Toyota by a mere 0.140 seconds. It was a career milestone for Suarez, a 23-year-old driver from Monterrey, Mexico who is part of NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity initiative. Suarez is competing full-time this season for Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR XFINITY Series.

 

“This is an incredible feeling,” Enfinger said. “It was definitely a nail-biter from my seat.”

Phillip Phillips to Sing National Anthem for 57^th Annual DAYTONA 500

Singer/songwriter Phillip Phillips, will sing the National Anthem prior to the 57^th annual DAYTONA 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 22 at 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX.  “The Great American Race” will also broadcast live on FOX Deportes, Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio with additional coverage on NASCAR.com.

            “We’re excited to have Phillip Phillips be a part of the pre-race ceremonies and sing the National Anthem prior to the 57^th annual DAYTONA 500,” Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III said. “Phillip is a talented singer, guitarist and songwriter and we are looking forward to his rendition of the National Anthem in front of thousands of race fans and millions more watching on FOX.”

Platinum recording artist Phillips released his sophomore album Behind The Light last May. The album includes all songs that were either written or co-written by Phillips including lead single “Raging Fire” which debuted in the Billboard Hot 100.  Behind The Light is the follow-up to 2012’s The World from the Side of the Moon, a platinum plus-selling album that debuted at #4 on the Billboard Top 200 and featured the 5x platinum smash hit “Home.” Throughout the last year, the 24-year-old Georgia native has toured the U.S. and the world, joining Matchbox Twenty and John Mayer on tour and sharing a stage with Bruce Springsteen at the 2013 Rock in Rio festival.  The American Idol season 11 winner spent the summer on a co-headline tour with O.A.R. before setting out on a national headline tour this past fall.

To learn more about Phillip Phillips, visit www.phillipphillpps.com and follow him on Twitter (@phillips).

Actor Vince Vaughn Named Grand Marshal for 57^th Annual DAYTONA 500

Star of 20^th Century Fox’s Upcoming ‘Unfinished Business’ to Deliver Starting Command for the DAYTONA 500

Vince Vaughn, the star of 20^th Century Fox’s and New Regency’s upcoming comedy “Unfinished Business,” in theaters everywhere March 6, will serve as Grand Marshal for the 57^th annual DAYTONA 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race Sunday, Feb. 22 at 1 p.m. ET on FOX from Daytona International Speedway. “The Great American Race” will also broadcast live on FOX Deportes, Motor Racing Network, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio with additional coverage on NASCAR.com.

As Grand Marshal, Vaughn will announce the famous four words in motorsports, “Drivers, start your engines.”  Along with the starting command, Vaughn will participate in pre-race ceremonies and ride in one of the Grand Marshal cars during the pace laps prior to the green flag of the 200-lap, 500-mile race.

“We are thrilled to welcome Vince Vaughn as Grand Marshal for the DAYTONA 500,” Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III said.  “We look forward to hearing Vince Vaughn’s command as we kick off the new NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season in front of hundreds of thousands of fans and millions more watching on FOX.”

“Last year was an exciting one for NASCAR and I can’t wait to help kick off the 2015 season as the DAYTONA 500 Grand Marshal,” Vaughn said. “The DAYTONA 500 is one of the biggest events in all of sports and I feel honored to be able to be a part of it in it in such a major way.”

In “Unfinished Business,” a hard-working small business owner (portrayed by Vaughn) and his two associates (Tom Wilkinson, Dave Franco) travel to Europe to close the most important deal of their lives.  But what began as a routine business trip goes off the rails in every imaginable – and unimaginable – way, including unplanned stops at a massive sex fetish event and a global economic summit.  The film is directed by Ken Scott, written by Steven Conrad, and produced by Arnon Milchan, Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Steve Tisch, and Anthony Katagas.

For more information on “Unfinished Business,” visit www.UnfinishedBusinesstheMovie.com or check out the movie through its social media channels onFacebook, Twitter #UnfinishedBusiness, YouTube and Vine.

Vaughn has starred in several hit comedies including “The Wedding Crashers,” “The Break-Up” and “Couples Retreat.”

Vaughn joins a long list of Hollywood actors who have previously served as DAYTONA 500 Grand Marshals including James Franco, Chris Evans, John Travolta, Ben Affleck, Nicolas Cage, and Matthew McConaughey.

DAYTONA Rising February Project Update: Daytona International Speedway Prepares To Preview New Amenities

Following a successful 2015 Rolex 24 At Daytona, Daytona International Speedway is now finalizing its race-ready preparations for Budweiser Speedweeks 2015 and the 57^th annual DAYTONA 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, Feb. 22. Fans will have an opportunity to preview some of the new amenities, including 40,000 new seats, two of the five injectors/entrances, new concessions, several of the neighborhoods or social areas and the new vertical transportation.

“We look forward to providing fans with an opportunity to see what’s ahead,” said Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III. “The new amenities will elevate the overall experience and help to redefine motorsports events.”

Below is a recap of key race-ready activities since the last update in January:

• Installed temporary trailers for ushers and staff
• Set up more than 4,000 feet of construction fencing
• Built temporary Americrown kitchens
• Installed temporary lighting

Toyota and Florida Hospital are Founding Partners of DAYTONA Rising, joining the Speedway to help provide the very best experience for fans through more than 40,000 total square feet of engagement areas, branding rights for two of the injectors/entrances and two of the new neighborhoods.

Barton Malow is serving as the design-builder for the project. In addition to DAYTONA Rising, Barton Malow has renovated the University of Michigan “Big House” and the Rose Bowl.

ROSSETTI, an award-winning architectural design and planning firm for the past 40 years, which headed the design for Ford Field NFL Stadium, University of Notre Dame Compton Family Ice Arena and five Major League Soccer Stadiums, is leading the master planning of the DAYTONA Rising site.

 

AutoZone to Serve as Presenting Sponsor for the Lucas Oil 200 ARCA Racing Series Season-Opening Event at DIS

The 80-Lap, 200-Mile Event to be Known as the Lucas Oil 200 Presented By AutoZone

AutoZone, one of the nation’s leading retailers of aftermarket automotive parts and accessories, will serve as the presenting sponsor for the season-opening ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards event on Saturday, Feb. 14, part of Budweiser Speedweeks 2015 at Daytona International Speedway. The official race name will be the Lucas Oil 200 Presented By AutoZone.

“We’re excited to welcome AutoZone as the presenting sponsor for the upcoming season-opening ARCA Racing Series event,” Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III said. “The ARCA Racing Series is a proving ground for the future stars of racing and we’re looking forward to having the Lucas Oil 200 Presented By AutoZone kick off a stock car racing doubleheader.”

The Lucas Oil 200 Presented By AutoZone, an 80-lap-200-mile event, will be the first of two races at the “World Center of Racing” on Saturday, Feb. 14. The Sprint Unlimited will cap off the night as the stars of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series kick off the new season in an invitation-only non-points race.

“The 2015 ARCA Racing Series opening event at Daytona International Speedway is an exciting place for Lucas Oil to announce the continued and growing partnership with AutoZone,” said Samuel F. Dale, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Lucas Oil. “Effective March 2015, AutoZone will offer over 5,000 retail locations for consumers to purchase the complete line of Lucas Oil Slick Mist Car Care Products.”

“There is no better venue than the historic Daytona International Speedway for the ARCA Racing Series to kick off the 2015 season, and AutoZone is proud to be partnering with Lucas Oil on such a prestigious event,” said Mark Finestone, AutoZone Senior Vice President Merchandising, Store Development & Customer Satisfaction.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Drivers Ready To Hit the Road to the DAYTONA 500

Cross-Country Media Blitz to Feature Close to 20 Drivers Promoting the DAYTONA 500 on Feb. 22

In the weeks leading up to the prestigious season-opening DAYTONA 500 Sunday, Feb. 22, the stars of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will be logging plenty of miles promoting “The Great American Race” with the Road to the DAYTONA 500 Tour.

The cross-country media blitz will feature close to 20 drivers visiting 11 different cities. Each location will host a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver for a day of special events and media availabilities, all promoting the 57^th annual DAYTONA 500 Sunday, Feb. 22 (TV – FOX, FOX Deportes; Radio – MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

“We’re excited to work with the drivers as we build the excitement throughout the country about the DAYTONA 500 and the start of the new NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season,” Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III said. “The Road to the DAYTONA 500 is a critical element in promoting ‘The Great American Race’.”

The Road to the DAYTONA 500 kicked off Jan. 2 in Jacksonville with 2014 DAYTONA 500 champion Dale Earnhardt Jr., who prior to flipping the coin at the TaxSlayer Bowl, met with the media alongside the Harley J. Earl DAYTONA 500 trophy and participated in a Twitter takeover of @DISupdates.

Among the other cities and drivers that will be featured on the tour include:

• Washington, D.C. (Jeff Gordon)
• Phoenix (Danica Patrick)
• Atlanta (Kyle Busch)
• Boston (Kevin Harvick)
• Chicago (Carl Edwards)
• Tampa (Brad Keselowski, Tony Stewart and Kyle Larson)
• Los Angeles (Jimmie Johnson)
• Miami (Joey Logano)
• New York (Earnhardt Jr., Denny Hamlin)
• Orlando (Matt Kenseth)
• Daytona Beach (Clint Bowyer, AJ Allmendinger and Ryan Newman)
• Orlando-Daytona Beach, where driver Austin Dillon and owner Richard Childress will officially activate the new vertical transportation associated with its $400 million DAYTONA Rising project with an Escalator Duel.

In addition, during Budweiser Speedweeks, Aric Almirola and Kasey Kahne are expected to fly with the world-renowned U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, who are providing the flyover for the DAYTONA 500.

Race fans can follow along with each Road to the DAYTONA 500 event on Twitter using #ROADTODAYTONA500 or by visiting www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/TheRoad.

Start Times Finalized For Budweiser Speedweeks 2015 Events

57^th annual DAYTONA 500 set for a 1 p.m. ET start

The 57^th annual DAYTONA 500 on Sunday, Feb. 22, NASCAR’s biggest, richest and most prestigious race, will start at 1 p.m. (TV – FOX, FOX Deportes; Radio – MRN Radio, SiriusXM). It’s the sixth straight year “The Great American Race” will have a start time of 1 p.m.

Start times for the other remaining events of Budweiser Speedweeks 2015 at Daytona International Speedway are as follows:

• The 53^rd anniversary Rolex 24 At Daytona IMSA TUDOR United SportsCar Championship race, Jan. 24-25, 2:10 p.m. (FOX Sports and IMSA.com)
• The Lucas Oil 200 Presented By American Real MAV TV ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, Saturday, Feb. 14, 4:15 p.m. (FOX Sports 1)
• The Sprint Unlimited, Saturday, Feb. 14, 8:15 p.m. (FOX)
• Daytona 500 Qualifying Presented By Kroger, Sunday, Feb. 15, 1:30 p.m. (FOX)
• Budweiser Duel At Daytona, Thursday, Feb. 19, 7 p.m. (FOX Sports 1)
• NextEra Energy Resources 250 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race, Friday, Feb. 20, 7:30 p.m. (FOX Sports 1)
• Alert Today Florida 300 NASCAR XFINITY Series race, Saturday, Feb. 21, 3:30 p.m. (FOX Sports 1)

In this year’s DAYTONA 500, Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be seeking his second consecutive DAYTONA 500 victory. The last driver to win back-to-back DAYTONA 500s was Sterling Marlin back in 1994-95.

Budweiser Speedweeks 2015 will also give fans with a sneak peek of DAYTONA Rising, the $400 million frontstretch redevelopment. Approximately 40,000 new seats will be available on the west side of the stadium, from Turn 1 toward the center of the track. Fans in these wider more comfortable seats will enjoy many of the new amenities being created by DAYTONA Rising.

 

 

 

Daytona International Speedway Holding First Ever “Daytona Rising Escalator Duel”

NASCAR Driver Austin Dillon and NASCAR Team Owner Richard Childress will Race to the Top of New 150-Foot Grandstand and Showcase New Vertical Transportation

On Wednesday, January 14th, Daytona International Speedway (DIS) will hold the first ever “DAYTONA Rising Escalator Duel” to officially activate the new vertical transportation associated with its $400 million DAYTONA Rising redevelopment project.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Austin Dillon and Richard Childress, owner of Richard Childress Racing, will race to the top of the new 150-foot grandstand using the stairs and new escalators . Each person will also need to make several “pit stops”/collect items related to the Speedway’s new amenities along the way.

Kid Rock Headlines the DAYTONA 500 Budweiser Pre-Race Show

Multi-platinum award-winning, American rock star Kid Rock will perform the DAYTONA 500 Budweiser Pre-Race Show, the prelude to the 57^th annual “Great American Race” on Sunday, Feb. 22 (1 p.m. – FOX, FOX Deportes, MRN Radio and SiriusXM Radio.)

Kid Rock will perform several of his hits, including his brand new single “First Kiss,” on pit road of the “World Center of Racing” prior to the start of the DAYTONA 500, the prestigious season-opening event of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. All race fans that buy a Pre-Race/Sprint FANZONE access pass for the DAYTONA 500 can enjoy Kid Rock’s DAYTONA 500 Budweiser Pre-Race Show up close, along with driver introductions.

“We’re thrilled to have Kid Rock entertain the thousands of race fans in attendance and the millions more watching on FOX,” Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III said. “Kid Rock is an avid NASCAR fan and will provide race fans with a spectacular performance leading up to the start of the much anticipated DAYTONA 500.”

Following his performance, Kid Rock will release his latest studio album First Kiss on Tuesday, Feb. 24.  Fans can pre-order the album now at participating retailers and at KidRock.com.  Kid Rock, whose musical style ranges from hip hop and rock to heavy metal and country, has sold more than 26 million albums worldwide.

Kid Rock joins a long list of past performers of the DAYTONA 500 Budweiser Pre-Race Show including Luke Bryan, Zac Brown Band, Lenny Kravitz, Brad Paisley, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban and Bon Jovi.

Expanded 2015 Sprint Unlimited Field to Feature Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Drivers

Former Daytona 500 Pole Winners Also Added to Season-Opening Showcase at Daytona  

Coming off an exciting 2014 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup finale, NASCAR announced today all 16 Chase drivers will be eligible to compete in the 2015 Sprint Unlimited at Daytona International Speedway (DIS). The 75-lap, non-points race will once again kick off the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing season Saturday, Feb. 14 (FOX, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) and will feature an expanded field of drivers based on new eligibility requirements.

A minimum of 25 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers are eligible to participate in the Sprint Unlimited at DIS.  In addition to the 2014 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup participants, the field also will include 2014 Pole Award winners, as well as former Sprint Unlimited race winners and Daytona 500 pole winners who competed in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series full-time in 2014. Any remaining spots will be filled by drivers highest in 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver championship points who are not already eligible.

“The 2015 Sprint Unlimited has potential to be one of the most competitive ever,” said NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer Steve O’Donnell. “With more drivers eligible, the intensity level increases for our fans and competitors, making for a compelling start to the 2015 season.”

The 2015 eligible participants include:

• Kyle Busch (2014 pole winner)
• Austin Dillon (2014 pole winner)
• Jeff Gordon (2014 pole winner)
• David Gilliland (2014 pole winner)
• Denny Hamlin (2014 pole winner)
• Kevin Harvick (2014 pole winner)
• Jimmie Johnson (2014 pole winner)
• Matt Kenseth (2014 pole winner)
• Brad Keselowski (2014 pole winner)
• Kyle Larson (2014 pole winner)
• Joey Logano (2014 pole winner)
• Jamie McMurray (2014 pole winner)
• Brian Scott (2014 pole winner)
• Tony Stewart (2014 pole winner)
• Brian Vickers* (2014 pole winner)
• Kurt Busch (former Sprint Unlimited winner)
• Dale Earnhardt Jr. (former Sprint Unlimited winner)
• Carl Edwards (former Daytona 500 pole winner)
• Danica Patrick (former Daytona 500 pole winner)
• Greg Biffle (former Daytona 500 pole winner)
• Martin Truex Jr. (former Daytona 500 pole winner)
• Ryan Newman (2014 Chase driver)
• AJ Allmendinger (2014 Chase driver)
• Kasey Kahne (2014 Chase driver)
• Aric Almirola (2014 Chase driver)

(* – Michael Waltrip Racing announced that Brian Vickers will not be available to race during the early part of the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup season due to health issues.)

World-Renowned U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds to Perform Flyover for the 57th annual DAYTONA 500 on Sunday, Feb. 22

For the fifth straight year, the world-renowned U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will provide the flyover for the 57^th annual DAYTONA 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season opener on Sunday, Feb. 22.

The Thunderbirds, officially known as the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, will fly their signature “Delta” formation over the “World Center of Racing” during the finale of the national anthem for “The Great American Race.”

The Thunderbirds have visited Daytona International Speedway to perform the flyover for the DAYTONA 500 for the past five years. In addition, the Thunderbirds also provided the flyover in 2008 for the historic 50^th running of the DAYTONA 500.

“The flyover by the Thunderbirds is a signature moment in the pre-race festivities for the DAYTONA 500,” Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III said. “We’re proud and honored to be able to host this elite flying team and the thousands of race fans and the millions more watching on FOX Sports are looking forward to seeing them soar over Daytona International Speedway.”

“We have a long-standing relationship with the Daytona 500,” said LtCol Greg Moseley, the squadron’s commander and lead pilot. “We’re grateful to the Speedway for allowing us to share the Air Force story with race fans.”

The Thunderbirds feature six F-16 Fighting Falcons, the Air Force’s premier multi-role fighter aircraft. Assigned to Air Combat Command, the squadron is composed of 12 officers and more than 100 enlisted Airmen serving in about 30 Air Force job specialties.

Since the unit’s inception in 1953, more than 350 million people in all 50 states and more than 60 countries have witnessed the distinctive red, white and blue jets in thousands of official aerial demonstrations.