Daytona Beach, FL - Top NASCAR drivers and officials will ride alongside world champion triathletes and professional cyclists today to promote bicycle safety.
The 5th Annual "Champions Ride For Bicycle Safety" starts this morning (February 14th) in Daytona Beach. The journey will take all the "champions" on a 45-mile bicycle trek in efforts to humanize the cyclist and raise awareness.
“Beginning as a grassroots campaign with just a few friends, the ‘Champions Ride’ has grown into a very visible and effective safety event,” said Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Kevin Thibault. “The ride generates substantial publicity and awareness for bicycle safety thanks to the efforts of Scott Lagasse Jr., Jimmie Johnson, Steve Phelps, Jim Escobar and many more high-level athletes that come from all over to unite for this cause.”
The ride begins with a lap around the Daytona International Speedway before taking riders around the Tomoka Marsh State Aquatic Preserve and along the Atlantic Ocean as a scenic backdrop.
The trip will end back at the World Center of Racing, where cyclists will be led into Victory Lane for photos.
During their time in Victory Lane, the celebrities will take questions and engage in interviews about bicycle safety.
Some past cyclists include seven-time NASCAR Champion Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR President Steven Phelps, Chase Elliot, Jamie McMurray and Indianapolis 500 winners Dario Franchitti and Tony Kanaan.
The ride is expected to wrap up sometime around noon.
