The Final Lap with Kerry Murphey

RELEASE: DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – For Kate Upton fans around the world, Valentine’s Day came a little early late last night when the Daytona 500 Grand Marshal and Melbourne, Fla.-native was unveiled as the cover of the 2012 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.

Upton and her Three Stooges co-star, Emmy Award and Golden Globe-winning actress Jane Lynch, will deliver the four most famous words in motorsports – “Drivers, start your engines” prior to the start of the 54th annual “Great American Race” on Feb. 26, 2012 (FOX, 1:00 p.m. ET).

“SI’s Swimsuit Issue is the most anticipated sports publication each year – to have one of our wonderful Grand Marshals on the cover is exhilarating,” said Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III. “Kate will have hearts racing around the world before she and Jane give the command to bring 43 stock cars roaring to life. There is a lot to love about this year’s Daytona 500.”

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – WWE Superstar John Cena will wave the green flag as Honorary Starter of the 54th annual Daytona 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, Feb. 26 at historic Daytona International Speedway (FOX, 1 p.m. ET).

Cena was invited to participate in this year’s big race by 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series runner-up Carl Edwards last night on WWE’s Monday Night Raw®. Edwards got out of his official No. 99 Fastenal Ford and told Cena, “NASCAR asked me to come to Monday Night Raw and personally invite you to drop the green flag and officially start the Daytona 500 on February 26.” An appreciative John Cena enthusiastically accepted with an emphatic “Yes!”

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