Acura, Shank, Helio sweep Rolex 24 as hybrid era begins
Castroneves won the Rolex in 2021 in an Acura with Wayne Taylor Racing and last year was part of the winning Meyer Shank Racing entry. This latest win for the four-time Indianapolis 500 winner again came driving for Meyer Shank Racing, the reigning IMSA champions, and an Acura group that proved heavily prepared for a new hybrid era of racing. Acura put forth a pair of entries with Michael Shank and Wayne Taylor, who partnered only last month with Michael Andretti. The Rolex victory is the third for team owner Michael Shank, who built a tiny team into a motor sports player. Shank wants MSR to be a two-car factory team, but Acura splits its two cars between Shank and Taylor.
wftv.comFord CEO Farley makes professional racing debut at Daytona
The 60-year-old made his professional racing debut with a 12th-place finish in the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge at Daytona. An accomplished historic racer, Farley drove a Multimatic Motorsports-run Ford Mustang GT4 in the GSX class. But he's still the head of Ford, and that's why Eddie and Leonard Wood traveled from Friday night's NASCAR Hall of Fame ceremony in North Carolina down to Daytona to watch Farley race. Ford last year won the Daytona 500 with Austin Cindric and the NASCAR Cup championship with Joey Logano. “It's so good that he's interested,” Penske said of Farley racing at Daytona.
wftv.comFord CEO Farley makes professional racing debut at Daytona
Tucked in the back corner of an outpost paddock at Daytona International Speedway stood the chief executive of Ford, leaning against a cart having a casual conversation with the heads of The Wood Brothers Racing team. Jim Farley was wearing a firesuit and hardly looked the CEO part. The 60-year-old made his professional racing debut with a 12th-place finish in the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge at Daytona.
news.yahoo.comDrivers hit Daytona for Rolex 24 test session
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Teams that will enter cars in the Rolex 24 in January are testing those machines at Daytona International Speedway this week. The two-day open test session gives teams track time to run their cars at speed and resolve any issues that may occur while running a high-tech race car at almost 200 miles per hour. One of the new drivers at the 2023 Rolex 24 is two-time Indy racing league champion Josef Newgarden. Tuesday was his first trip around the Daytona infield track. ©2022 Cox Media Group
wftv.com9 things to do in Daytona Beach this holiday season
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Daytona Beach will be holding tons of events for the holiday season this year, whether it’s holiday light displays or one of the largest car shows. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 9 Daytona Beach Holiday Light Up Volusia Tree Lighting (Daytona Beach)5. Daytona Beach Christmas Boat ParadeThis annual holiday tradition will let visitors enjoy lights at night from any riverfront point in Daytona Beach. Light Up Volusia Tree LightingThe Ocean Center will host its 12th annual Light up Volusia to kick off the holiday season. Read: Celebrate Soulfully at Walt Disney World Resort during the holiday seasonDaytona Beach Holiday Xmas Toy Run with Harley-Davidson (Daytona Beach)To view what else is happening in the Daytona Beach Area during the holiday season, visit www.DaytonaBeach.com.
wftv.comGMS Racing introduces Daniel Dye
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Deland’s Daniel Dye has been introduced by GMS Racing and he will drive the No. 43 Chevrolet in the Craftsman Truck Series in 2023. The announcement was made at Victory Lane Tuesday afternoon inside Daytona International Speedway. He says he is looking forward to starting the season at his home track surrounded by family and supporters. The truck race at Daytona will run under the lights on Friday, February 17 in 2023.
wftv.comCommanders rookie RB Brian Robinson Jr. shot in DC
Washington Commanders rookie running back Brian Robinson Jr. was shot during an attempted robbery or carjacking, the NFL team said Sunday night. The 23-year-old was taken to a hospital with what the team called non-life-threatening injuries. (Aug. 29)
news.yahoo.comDillon, Blaney nab last playoff spots at rain-soaked Daytona
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — (AP) — Austin Dillon avoided a massive wreck in the rain to win at Daytona International Speedway and snag a playoff spot in the Cup Series’ regular-season finale Sunday. Blaney finished seven spots behind Truex in the race but three points ahead in the standings. That allowed Austin Dillon, who started the day 19th in points, to essentially steal a playoff spot. Blaney started the day third in points and had the best chance of landing one of the two postseason spots up for grabs. That created a second open spot at Daytona, where 15 guys entered the day with postseason hopes.
wftv.comTicket office at Daytona International Speedway named for 102-year-old Lightnin’ Epton
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Fans revved up for Sunday’s rescheduled NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero 400 regular-season finale at Daytona International Speedway saw a new look at the ticket office -- a special tribute to a longtime employee. >> Read more trending newsOn Thursday, speedway officials named the ticket office after Juanita “Lightnin’” Epton, according to a news release. Welcome to the Lightnin’ Epton Ticket Office 🌟Having worked here for every #DAYTONA500 since the Speedway opened, we’re happy to celebrate and honor our favorite co-worker, Juanita “Lightnin” Epton! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/fhv5raoQtN — Daytona International Speedway (@DAYTONA) August 25, 2022“I have no intention of retiring,” Epton told WFTV when she turned 101 last year. Daytona International Speedway’s “Lightnin’ Epton Ticket Office” Unveiled, Honoring 102-Year-Old Legendary, Inspirational and Beloved Staff Member Juanita “Lightnin’” Epton https://t.co/4ZUXppoVuv — NASCAR News from Speedway Digest (@sdraceupdates) August 26, 2022“Lightnin’” was born on July 15, 1920, in Mississippi, according to online records.
wftv.comNASCAR Cup race at Daytona rained out, moved to Sunday
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — (AP) — The NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway was rained out Saturday night and rescheduled for Sunday. The 400-mile race, the regular-season finale that will decide the last two playoff spots, will now begin at 10 a.m. EDT. If there’s another new winner Sunday, whoever ends the race with more points between Blaney and Truex would advance. This will be the third summer race at Daytona in recent years delayed a day. NASCAR officials moved the Daytona summer race from July to August in 2020 partly in hopes of avoid summer thunderstorms.
wftv.comClements wins at crash-filled Daytona, reaches postseason
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — (AP) — Jeremy Clements won a crash-filled Xfinity Series race at Daytona International Speedway early Saturday for his second career victory and first since 2017. His win came after two multicar melees in overtime and gave Clements an automatic — and unexpected — berth in the postseason. Hill looked poised to sweep both Xfinity races at Daytona, but his car seemed to have fuel and electrical issues during the final caution. Clements' first win in 164 races was about being in the right place at the right time. Sheldon Creed, vying to make the postseason, was involved in a multicar accident on lap 83 and knocked out of the race.
wftv.com9 things to do this weekend: Run, races and literature expo
ORLANDO, Fla. — Afternoon storms are forecast to stick around this weekend, but don’t let that spoil your plans. If you’re still looking to make plans, here are nine things to do this weekend in Central Florida:• 1) Races in Daytona BeachThousands of race fans will pack Daytona International Speedway starting Friday. Watch: Daytona prepares for thousands of race fans ahead of Coke Zero-Sugar 400From on-track to off, we’ve got a big #CokeZeroSugar400 weekend planned for y’all 👍➡️ https://t.co/IVpo24Y6Ks pic.twitter.com/8XVRixnrOx — Daytona International Speedway (@DAYTONA) August 25, 2022• 2) Orlando’s Magical Dining returnsVisit Orlando’s Magical Dining is returning for its 17th year. For 2022, Magical Dining will feature 102 restaurants. • 5) Orlando Literary ExpoThis literature event will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
wftv.comKeselowski, 14 others vying for last 2 NASCAR playoff spots
Keselowski has crashed eight times in his last 11 starts at the superspeedway and finished worse than 30th six times. So maybe Keselowski should feel confident heading into Saturday night’s regular-season finale, where the 2012 Cup Series champion and 14 others are vying for the final two playoff spots. We just need everything to align to make it happen.”In his first year as a driver/owner at Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing, Keselowski needs a victory to make the postseason for the 10th consecutive year. Ryan Blaney and Martin Truex Jr. are the only drivers who haven't yet locked up playoff spots and can make it without winning at Daytona. It’d be quite a story.”Blaney needs 31 points to clinch a playoff spot and could do it during the race.
wftv.comDaytona prepares for thousands of race fans ahead of Coke Zero-Sugar 400
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Thousands of race fans will pack Daytona International Speedway starting Friday. Read: Florida residents plead guilty in scheme to sell Biden’s daughter’s diaryThe speedway will host the Wawa 250 race Friday night, and Saturday night’s Coke Zero-Sugar 400. The speedway grandstand can hold more than 100,000 fans. Photos: Daytona prepares for thousands of race fans ahead of Coke Zero-Sugar 400Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 8 Daytona prepares for thousands of race fans ahead of Coke Zero-Sugar 400Track officials haven’t said how many tickets they’ve sold so far. Watch: Orange and Volusia counties to recount primary votes FridayThey said the suites at the speedway are sold out, and in-field camping sales are up from last year.
wftv.comInjured Kurt Busch to miss start of NASCAR playoffs
23XI Racing on Thursday withdrew the medical waiver that was holding Busch's spot in the playoffs. "In addition to not being cleared to return to racing, I know that I am not ready to be back in the car." Ty Gibbs, the 19-year-old grandson of Joe Gibbs, has replaced Busch since he was injured. Busch earned his spot in the playoffs with a win at Kansas Speedway in May and, had he not been injured, NASCAR's 2004 champion would have participated in the playoffs for a 10th consecutive season. “Toyota’s priority for Kurt Busch since the moment the accident took place at Pocono has been his health and recovery.
wftv.comNASCAR penalizes Gragson for intentional Road America crash
NASCAR Noah Gragson Auto Racing FILE - Noah Gragson prepares on pit road for the NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, in Daytona Beach, Fla. The star Xfinity Series driver for JR Motorsports is in the spotlight again for all the wrong reasons: the poor choices he’s making on track that are slowing Gragson’s career progression. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File) (John Raoux)NASCAR on Wednesday penalized Noah Gragson for a deliberate and dangerous crash he caused in the Xfinity Series race at Road America. The NASCAR Hall of Famer and co-owner of the JR Motorsports team Gragson has represented since 2019 was surprised NASCAR didn't immediately penalize his driver. "I think that NASCAR doesn’t want to over-officiate the races, but I think in some situations there’s some things that do cross over a line.
wftv.comDaytona International Speedway getting ready to kick off first-ever Soccer Fest
VIDEO: Daytona International Speedway getting ready to kick off first-ever Soccer Fest Daytona International Speedway getting ready to kick off first-ever Soccer FestVOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Thousands of people are expected to pack into the Daytona International Speedway this weekend for the first-ever Daytona Soccer Fest. Crews are fast at work to transform the infield of the speedway into a legitimate soccer field. READ: Red Hot & Boom celebrating 25 years this weekend after pandemic hiatusThe fest is expected to draw more than 10,000 fans each day. Daytona Soccer Fest is one component of a busy weekend for hotels in Daytona as they manage fans for Soccer Fest, a dance competition and the Fourth of July weekend. Gates for Soccer Fest open at noon Saturday.
wftv.comNASCAR's preseason Clash returns to LA Coliseum in 2023
SONOMA, Calif. — (AP) — NASCAR's preseason Clash race is rolling back to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 2023. NASCAR said Sunday it will return the exhibition race to the Southern California sports landmark next season. The Clash took place on a temporary 0.25-mile track inside the venerable Coliseum. The upcoming race likely will take place shortly after the 100th birthday of the Coliseum, which opened in January 1923. The Coliseum, which has hosted two Olympics and the first Super Bowl, is still the home of the USC Trojans football team.
wftv.comGet ready to rock: Welcome to Rockville starts this week in Daytona Beach
Welcome to Rockville (Welcome to Rockville)DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — It’s almost time to rock. Welcome to Rockville starts Thursday at Daytona International Speedway. The music festival spans four days, from May 19 to 22, and includes more than 80 music acts. READ: Orlando Fringe festival kicks off this week with new partnership announcementThe event is America’s largest rock festival. To see the full lineup and purchase tickets to the festival, click here.
wftv.comNational pilot shortage may become airline travel nightmare
ORLANDO, Fla. — The national staffing shortage crisis is affecting airline travel and causing ticket prices to climb. One projection shows the U.S will need 34,000 more pilots over the next three years. “It is noticeable when we have our career days and all of the companies come and talk to us,” Hallem said. WATCH: Confusion, misinformation abound over new trucker training rulesAcross the country, airlines are facing a pilot shortage. Even still, the supply of new pilots isn’t keeping up with demand.
wftv.comZane Smith wins Truck Series opener at Daytona in overtime
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — (AP) — Zane Smith came inches away from winning the Truck Series opener in regulation. Forced to try again in overtime, Smith held on in a two-lap sprint to win at Daytona International Speedway. The race would have been over had Smith crossed under the white flag before the caution lights flashed; instead the field was frozen for nearly 20 minutes to clean the mess off the track before overtime. His timing was again impeccable as Smith reclaimed the lead and make it past the white flag. John Hunter Nemechek was racing Smith for the win when his Toyota was damaged.
wftv.comSold out Daytona 500 set to bring an economic overdrive to Daytona Beach businesses
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Tens of thousands of people are heading into Daytona Beach for this year’s sold-out Daytona 500. The race this Sunday is expected to bring more than 100,000 people to Volusia County. Photos: Sold out Daytona 500 set to bring an economic overdrive to Daytona Beach businessesExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 8 Sold out Daytona 500 set to bring an economic overdrive to Daytona Beach businessesThe Daytona International Speedway has also been hosting its Speedweeks events all week long in the lead-up to the “Great American Race.”READ Speedweek races into Daytona Beach starting Tuesday, police offer tips to avoid trafficSome local hotel owners said they have been sold out almost all week. Daytona International Speedway president Frank Kelleher said the race sold out a month early for the first time in 14 years. Gibbs gets top ride on grandfather’s teamAnd more people will be coming to Daytona Beach in the coming weeks as Bike Week, Spring Break, Rockville and summer vacations are all just around the corner.
wftv.comNASCAR revs up at Daytona with new car, new teams, new look
I said, ‘Dad, we’re going to win the Daytona 500,’” Keselowski said. And, after a Hendrick Motorsports rout in Daytona 500 time trials, the Ford fleet has shown to be race ready. — Jacques Villeneuve, the former Formula One champion and Indianapolis 500 winner, will make his first Daytona 500 start for European startup Team Hezeberg. And, on Sunday, Jusan Hamilton will become the first Black race director to call the Daytona 500 in its 64th running. FanDuel lists both three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin and reigning NASCAR champion Kyle Larson as the 19-2 race favorites.
wftv.comKez gets 1st win, Floyd Mayweather team makes Daytona 500
NASCAR Daytona 500 Auto Racing Brad Keselowski celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the first of two NASCAR Daytona 500 qualifying auto races at Daytona International Speedway, Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (John Raoux)DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — (AP) — Brad Keselowski drove his new team to victory lane Thursday night in a Daytona 500 qualifying race. The team has been rebranded Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing and Keselowski now drives its flagship No. But the win in the first of two 150-mile qualifying races means Keselowski has a fast Daytona 500 car. Floyd Mayweather Jr. will make his NASCAR debut on Sunday when The Money Team Racing starts the Daytona 500. Grala had to be the highest finisher among the “open” teams and got Mayweather into the Daytona 500 with an 18th-place finish.
wftv.comVilleneuve adds Daytona 500 start to storied racing career
His Ford had needed three tries to pass NASCAR inspection and just hours before Wednesday night's time trials, Villeneuve had written off his chances in the first round of qualifying. But everyone knew the Hendrick cars were going to lock down the front row in time trials; Hendrick had the three fastest cars and four of the fastest five. Villeneuve was in one of the six cars vying for those one of the spots and locked himself into his first Daytona 500 by beating the other five open teams. Villeneuve just last week explained why a 50-year-old world champion would show up at Daytona with a brand new team. But after earning a spot in the Daytona 500 — Villeneuve missed the race 14 years ago in his only other attempt to run “The Great American Race” — he didn't particularly think he'd done anything special.
wftv.comNASCAR scores win with successful race inside LA Coliseum
LOS ANGELES — (AP) — Joey Logano won the exhibition Busch Light Clash on a temporary quarter-mile track built inside Memorial Coliseum for a made-for-TV spectacular intended to hype NASCAR's upcoming season. NASCAR moved the Clash to Los Angeles from Daytona International Speedway, its only home since its 1979 inception, as part of a focused effort to break from its dated traditions via innovative big ideas. A handful of Los Angeles sporting greats served as the grand marshals, and Jeff Gordon lit the cauldron built for the 1932 Summer Olympics before the race began. The name of the race was the same, but everything else about the 42nd running of The Clash was different. Nothing learned in Los Angeles will transfer into the Feb. 21 season-opening Daytona 500, but the race was the first for NASCAR's new car.
wftv.comCastroneves claims yet another crown jewel with Rolex win
Castroneves climbed the fence for the third time this calendar year Sunday after earning another crown jewel victory, this time a second consecutive win in the Rolex 24 at Daytona. The Brazilian closed out the race for Meyer Shank Racing, the team that helped him win a record-tying fourth Indianapolis 500 last May. Castroneves denied Wayne Taylor Racing a fourth consecutive win at Daytona International Speedway, where he of course climbed the fence with his team in celebration. The win for Michael Shank came on the 10th anniversary of Shank's first victory in North America’s most prestigious sports car race. Shank grabbed both Castroneves and Pagenaud to help his fulltime IMSA sports car drivers Olivier Jarvis and Tom Blomqvist win the 60th running of the Rolex.
wftv.comJohnson and Ganassi cars out of contention at Rolex 24
Among those still in contention were Wayne Taylor Racing, seeking a record fourth consecutive Rolex win, and Meyer Shank Racing on the 10th anniversary of its victory. The two Chip Ganassi Racing “star cars” both had mechanical issues that eliminated the Cadillacs from racing for the win. The 60th running of North America's most prestigious sports car race featured 12 drivers from the IndyCar Series and several in contention for victory. Herta helped the DragonSpeed entry come from four laps down back into contention for class victory. Jarett Andretti started from the pole and was hoping to score the class win on the two-year anniversary of his father's death from colon cancer.
wftv.comCadillacs take early control of chaotic Rolex 24 at Daytona
“With temperatures being so low, I assume there's a chance that maybe we can have some ice on the track,” said Derani of Action Express Racing. Kamui Kobayashi, a two-time Rolex winner and reigning World Endurance Champion, charged to an early lead in the No. 48 Cadillac that is fielded by Action Express in partnership with Hendrick Motorsports. 02 car and right behind Dixon eight hours into the race, with Conway and Action Express running third. “You think endurance racing you should get a ton of laps and ton of time in the car, but you don't," said Johnson.
wftv.comMother of Dale Earnhardt Sr., Martha Earnhardt, dies at 91
Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Martha Earnhardt NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Sr. kisses his mother, Martha Earnhardt, before the start of the 1981 Daytona 500 stock car race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Robert Alexander/Getty Images, File)Family members said Sunday that Martha Earnhardt, the matriarch of the famed Earnhardt racing family, died the evening of Christmas, WSOC-TV reported. >> Read more trending newsShe was 91, according to NASCAR.com. “She was not just the matriarch to our family, but she was the matriarch to multiple generations of race fans.”>> Read more on WSOCTV.comHer death came weeks after the passing of her youngest son, Danny Earnhardt Sr., WSOC reported. Martha Earnhardt is survived by her daughters, Kaye and Cathy, according to WSOC.
wftv.comThousands pack Daytona International Speedway for Coke Zero Sugar 400
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Thousands of race fans packed into the Daytona International Speedway for the Coke Zero Sugar 400 race on Saturday. It was the first time since the beginning of the pandemic that the capacity at the speedway was not capped. Races at the speedway had been limited to just 25% capacity due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “They’re selling full capacity, but I waited until a couple days ago to buy the seats,” said Reggie Osenton. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, and click here to watch the latest news on your Smart TV.
wftv.comJason Raynor to be honored during race weekend at Daytona International Speedway
Office Raynor honored at Daytona Fallen Daytona Beach police officer Jason Raynor will be honored during race weekend at Daytona International Speedway. Officer Jason Raynor’s memorial was moved earlier this week from the Daytona Beach police headquarters to One Daytona in Victory Circle near the Jantzen Girl, the police department said. READ: Daytona Beach police officer Jason Raynor dies after being shot in the headThe vehicle will be on display throughout the entire weekend of races at Daytona International Speedway. See video below:READ: Community pays respects to Daytona Beach Officer Jason Raynor during funeral processionJD Motorsports racers will also honor Raynor at this weekend’s races by having his name displayed on four race cars. READ: ‘Heart of gold’: Who is Jason Raynor, the Daytona Beach police officer shot in the head?
wftv.comNewgarden earns pole for IndyCar race at Road America
IndyCar Road America Ware Auto Racing FILE - Cody Ware gets ready for a NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race practice session at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., in this Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, file photo. Ware will make his IndyCar debut at Road America this weekend driving a car for Dale Coyne Racing that has an association with Ware's father. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File) (John Raoux)ELKHART LAKE, Wis. — (AP) — Josef Newgarden has earned the pole position for Sunday’s IndyCar race at Road America as he attempts to help Team Penske earn its first win of the season. Newgarden had a fastest lap of 1 minute, 46.0186 seconds on a road course that extends just over 4 miles and features 14 turns. Magnussen is a replacement for Felix Rosenqvist, who won at Road America last year but was injured in a crash last week at Detroit.
wftv.comCoke Sugar 400 to return in August with no capacity restrictions
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Daytona International Speedway is ready to welcome fans back in a big way. It announced Friday there would be no capacity restrictions for the Coke Zero Sugar 400 this August. It’s a big change from last year, when only 25% of those seats were filled because of COVID-19 restrictions. READ: Florida reports nearly 2,300 COVID-19 cases as Fauci discusses timeline for normalcy“We are ready to welcome fans back,” said Frank Kelleher, president of Daytona International Speedway. He said they still have not decided if masks or temperature checks will be required.
wftv.comNASCAR's 'unique' winners already altering playoff landscape
Christopher Bell celebrates at the finish line after winning the NASCAR Cup Series road course auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)HOMESTEAD, Fla. – NASCAR’s postseason landscape has been altered after just two Cup Series races. “The number of unique winners is really going to change how many cars get in on points, right? Although Bell drives for powerhouse Joe Gibbs Racing, he was a rookie for that top team and in his second full season in the Cup series. The Cup Series opened on a superspeedway, then raced on a road course, and now heads to an intermediate track. Whether that’s different markets, different racetracks, it has to be different from year to year.
Ty Gibbs stuns grandfather, wins in first career NASCAR race
It was the very first NASCAR national series race for Ty Gibbs, who jumped two steps from ARCA to Xfinity for his debut. Ty Gibbs is the second-youngest winner in Xfinity Series history. But as his grandson crossed the finish line, his glasses fogged and he hugged a Joe Gibbs Racing team member. JGR has yet to announce a full 2021 schedule for Ty Gibbs, but his grandfather said the details are decided by Coy Gibbs. They picked the Daytona road course for his debut because Ty Gibbs finished second here in last year's ARCA race.
After rain delay, this year's Daytona 500 was the least viewed in the race's history
Michael McDowell, driver of the #34 Love's Travel Stops Ford, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series 63rd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 14, 2021 in Daytona Beach,The rain just keeps hurting NASCAR's top event. Sunday's 2021 Daytona 500, impacted by a nearly six-hour rain delay, attracted an average of 4.83 million viewers, Fox Sports has confirmed to CNBC. It marks the lowest-viewed Daytona 500 in the history of the race. Last year's Daytona 500 also suffered through a rain delay, which moved the event to a second day. The 2019 and 2018 races averaged roughly 9 million viewers, but that was down from over 11 million viewers the race averaged in 2017 and 2016.
cnbc.comToni Breidinger makes history as NASCAR's first female Arab American driver after Daytona debut
Toni Breidinger made history as the first Arab-American female driver to compete in a NASCAR national series after she made her debut at Daytona International Speedway over the weekend. "As soon as I got into a go-kart for my first time, I was like, 'I want to be a race car driver,'" she said. In 2020, she finished fourth in the Carolina Pro Late Model Series with racing team DLP Motorsports. Throughout the season, Breidinger – who joined the Young's Motorsports racing team earlier this month – will compete in the ARCA Menards Series stock car competition and NASCAR's pickup truck competition, the Camping World Truck Series. She'll be driving a Chevrolet SS car for the ARCA Mernards Series and a Chevrolet Silverado for the Camping World Truck Series.
cbsnews.comCoronavirus: Drive-thru testing to stop at Daytona International Speedway Thursday
AdventHealth's drive-thru coronavirus testing site at Daytona International Speedway will close Thursday, less than a month after opening, according to hospital officials. AdventHealth will phase out drive-thru testing sites over the next two weeks in Central Florida as the state and local businesses reopen, according to a press release. Coronavirus testing will continue to be available with a doctor's order at CentraCare locations and for patients at AdventHealth hospitals, according to the release. Since opening the first drive-up testing location at Daytona International Speedway on April 9, AdventHealth tested more than 18,000 people. AdventHealth will cover the cost of those who are uninsured at the community drive-up testing sites.
news-journalonline.comCoronavirus Florida: Schools to host drive-thru graduation at Daytona International Speedway
The adapted ceremony will take place at the Daytona International Speedway on May 31, for seniors at both Flagler-Palm Coast and Matanzas high schools. Instead of walking across the stage this year to receive their diplomas, high school graduates in the Flagler County school district will be driving across the finish line at the Daytona International Speedway in May an adjustment forced by the coronavirus pandemic. [CORONAVIRUS: Florida high school seniors might miss graduation farewells]The district announced Friday that both Flagler high schools will have ceremonies on May 31. "When presented with the offer from Daytona International Speedway, the soon-to-be graduates were excited at the prospect of taking a victory lap as they end this chapter of their lives." This story originally published to news-journalonline.com, and was shared to other Florida newspapers in the USA TODAY Network - Florida.
dailycommercial.comGraduates, Start Your Engines: FPC and Matanzas Will Have In-Person Graduation at the Speedway on May 31
Flagler Palm Coast High School and Matanzas High School seniorsthe Class of 2020, battered by three hurricanes and the coronavirus emergencywill have their graduation ceremonies after all, in person, on time, and in the most unique ways imaginable. The event will be restricted to one car per graduate, with the graduates family in that car, so additional visitors will not be permitted. But utilizing the Speedway, well never have that opportunity again, and were just over the moon that the International Speedway stepped up reached out and offered their facility. Graduating at Daytona International Speedway is beyond anything I ever could have imagined when we started talking about alternate graduations, Perez said. Thats happening across the country in colleges and high schools.
flaglerlive.comCoronavirus: AdventHealth drive-thru testing times change in Daytona and Palm Coast
AdventHealth coronavirus drive-thru testing sites in Flagler and Volusia counties will now be open from 9 a.m. to noon. Starting Monday, AdventHealths drive-thru coronavirus testing sites at the Daytona International Speedway and Daytona State Colleges Palm Coast campus will operate from 9 a.m. to noon, according to a press release. To date, more than 15,000 people have been tested at AdventHealth drive-up testing sites in Central Florida, according to the release. On April 9, AdventHealth opened the first coronavirus testing site in Volusia County at the Daytona International Speedway. Last weekend, the Palm Coast site closed to make improvements and expand testing in partnership with AdventHealth.
news-journalonline.comCoronavirus roundup
As usual, for information about the coronavirus, call the Florida Coronavirus Hotline at 866-779-6121 or visit floridahealthcovid19.gov. The drive-through process takes about 3 minutes and test results are taking at least 4-5 days on average. Tests results are communicated back to the patients primary care doctor, who notifies the patient of the results. Flagler Health+ is also offering a reduced rate of $25 for people to see a doctor online who may not have a primary care doctor. Collection is being treated as an urgent care doctors visit and clients must bring a photo ID and insurance card.
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