Daytona International Speedway Offers Race Fans the Perfect Fourth of July

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 1, 2002) -- Daytona International Speedway offers race fans the perfect way to celebrate the Fourth of July. Exciting action on the track will fill the afternoon, evening and late into the night. Race fans can enjoy the thrill of watching their favorite NASCAR Winston Cup drivers fight for the Pepsi 400 pole, before sitting back in amazement of Daytona's spectacular fireworks display. Then to top off the perfect racing Fourth of July, fans will see Daytona's infield come alive as the Rolex Sports Car Series takes to the 3.56-mile road course for the Jani-King Paul Revere 250. The Speedway paddock gates will open at 2 p.m., kicking off the Fourth of July racing festivities. NASCAR Winston Cup will hold practice, 3 p.m. - 5 p.m., followed by an hour-long NASCAR Busch Series happy hour at 6:15 p.m. Then, the stars of the Winston Cup Series will take to Daytona's 2.5-mile oval for Bud Pole Qualifying under the lights at 8:15 p.m. Daytona International Speedway's fireworks display will light up the sky following qualifying and will be immediately followed by the Jani-King Paul Revere 250, slated to start at 11:15 p.m. The Paul Revere 250 will allow race fans in the infield to get close to the action with prime seating on the International Horseshoe. The Paul Revere 250 will feature some of the best road racers in the world, including past winners of the Rolex 24 At Daytona, as well as some of the stars from the Winston Cup Series and Indy Racing League. Joining the field of Rolex Series drivers will be NASCAR's Tony Stewart and Jerry Nadeau. Stewart will join road racing veteran Elliott Forbes-Robinson in the #2 Home Depot Judd-powered Crawford. The Jani-King Paul Revere 250 will mark Stewart's second appearance this season behind the wheel of the #2 Crawford. The Winston Cup star kicked off the 2002 racing season with Crawford Race Cars at the 40th anniversary of the Rolex 24 At Daytona in February. After starting in the third position and maintaining a spot in the top five of the 80-car field, the #2 Crawford lost its engine in the 12th hour and was forced to retire. Nadeau will partner with Indy Racing League driver Anthony Lazzaro in the #7 Nissan-powered Lola of Rand Racing. This will be Nadeau's first appearance with the Rolex Series, but he is no stranger to road racing. Nadeau has raced in Skip Barber, Firehawk, Formula Ford and GT cars. The classic running of the Paul Revere 250 dates back to 1967 when it was created to augment the Pepsi 400. The race originally began at midnight, but is slated to start around 11:15 p.m. this year. The Jani-King Paul Revere 250 will bring fans road racing at its finest. With a field ranging from Ferraris to BMWs to Porsches, right-hand turns being made on the 3.56-mile road course and pit stops that include driver changes, fans will be in for a Fourth of July treat. Tickets are still available for the Fourth of July racing action at Daytona International Speedway and start at only $15 for unreserved grandstand admission. Tickets including admission to NASCAR Winston Cup and Busch Series practices, Bud Pole qualifying, the fireworks display and the Jani-King Paul Revere 250. Fans also have the opportunity to buy tickets for the Tony Stewart's "Suite Deal," which includes admission to DAYTONA USA, general admission to Pepsi 400 Qualifying and the Jani-King Paul Revere 250, frontstretch suite access on Friday to see the STACKER 2/GNC Live Well 250 with complimentary snacks, beverages and a meet and greet with Tony Stewart, and a general admission Superstretch seat for the Pepsi 400 on Saturday. Tickets may be purchased by logging onto www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling the Speedway ticket office at 386-253-RACE.