Daytona 500

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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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WALTRIP TO DRIVE NO. 40 AARON’S DREAM MACHINE TOYOTA
FOR HILLMAN RACING IN 2012 DAYTONA 500

CORNELIUS, N.C. – Hillman Racing and Aaron’s Inc. announced today that two-time Daytona 500 champion Michael Waltrip will drive the No. 40 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota in the 2012 Daytona 500 on Feb. 26.

The race will mark Waltrip’s 75th start at Daytona in one of NASCAR’s top three touring series (Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World trucks) – the most of any driver.

“Aaron’s really does make your dreams come true,” said Waltrip. “When I was a kid thinking about racing in Daytona I never dreamed I would start more NASCAR races there than anyone. That’s amazing.”

He said it takes many factors for success.

“You have to have a great sponsor to race and Aaron’s has been a great sponsor for a long time.” Waltrip said. “I appreciate what the folks at Hillman Racing including Joe Falk are putting together. Hopefully my experience at Daytona will help them get out of the gate strong with their new team.”

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How To Qualify For The Daytona 500

Qualifying for the Daytona 500 is unlike any other auto racing qualifying procedure. Drivers have two chances to qualify for the season-opening race, as opposed to the usual format of one qualifying session per event.
The first chance comes via Daytona 500 Qualifying, which will be held Sunday, Feb. 19. The other chance is the Gatorade Duel at Daytona, two 150-mile qualifying races held on Thursday, Feb. 23.

Below is a breakdown of the Daytona 500 qualifying procedure:

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Rock superstar Lenny Kravitz will perform the Daytona 500 Pre-Race Show, the pre-race extravaganza leading up to the start of “The Great American Race” at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, Feb. 26 (FOX, 1 p.m. ET, pre-race show begins at noon ET).

Kravitz, who has sold more than 35 million albums and is the only musician in history to win the Grammy for best male vocals in rock music four times consecutively, will perform three songs prior to the start of the 54th annual Daytona 500 – the season-opening event to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and the biggest stock car race in the world.

All race fans that purchase a Pre-Race/Sprint FANZONE access pass for the Daytona 500 will be able to view Kravitz’s Daytona 500 Pre-Race Show, as well as driver introductions, from the grass tri-oval area.

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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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