The 49th Daytona 500 takes place at Daytona International Speedway (DIS) this weekend, and the entertainment and excitement for the "great American race" continues to build. This is the one race that drivers start looking forward to as soon as it finishes, but have to wait the full 365 days for another opportunity to achieve greatness by becoming a Daytona 500 champion.
By the time Sunday rolls around it will have been a full three months without any points racing in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. Needless to say the drivers and teams are itching to get back to action and their reward is the pinnacle of motorsports - the Daytona 500.
With the Daytona 500 being the "crown jewel" event for the NASCAR, it is only appropriate that it is the one event at which celebrities appear. Headlining the list of stars to appear at Daytona is former American Idol winner and Grammy-winning recording artist Kelly Clarkson. Clarkson headlines what is being called the Nextel Tribute to America, the pre-race extravaganza leading up to the Daytona 500. Clarkson will perform in the Nextel-sponsored show, which will be carried live on FOX Sports. The Nextel Tribute to America pays tribute to music as the fabric of America and will feature thousands of cast members on the Speedway's historic five-acre tri-oval grass infield.
Fans attending the Daytona 500 will be able to get up close to the entertainment through one of the many fan entertainment options provided by DIS. Depending on what budgets allow, fans have the opportunity to enjoy posh accommodations with the Daytona 500 Club, or if they want to just catch a glimpse of the action they can purchase Nextel Fan Zone passes. These options are just another way for the "Great American Race" to be the great American experience for fans.
Once all the pre-race activities conclude however, it is time to get down to the nuts and bolts of the racing weekend as 43 cars will prepare to take the green flag in the Daytona 500 - an event which will feature a starting field considered to be one of the most competitive in recent memory. More than 60 teams are attempting to qualify for the 2007 Daytona 500, which means nearly 20 teams will be left out of Sunday's racing action. The result should be one of the most competitive events in the history of the race.
Fans should tune in to the 49th running of the Daytona 500 for the 3:15 p.m. EST green flag. Time will tell whether a former Daytona 500 champion gets to add another mark in the 500 wins category or if a new driver will achieve one of the greatest accomplishments in all of sports.
Daytona International Speedway
Qualifying Record: Bill Elliott (210.364 mph, 42.783 seconds), February 9, 1987
Race Record: Buddy Baker (177.602 mph, 2 hours, 48 minutes, 55 secs), February 17, 1980
2006 Winner: Jimmie Johnson
Total Purse: $19,792,314
