Daytona Beach, FL - Daytona International Speedway has a lot of great traditions but one of the most important is honoring the military at racing events like this week's Coke Zero Sugar 400. DIS Public Relations Director Andrew Booth said to start things off, there is special ticket pricing for current and retired military.
Two Medal of Honor recipients will be honored, a tradition begun by Bill France, Sr. in the 1970s. Booth said this year's honorees are Sergeant Major Gary Littrell, a Vietnam veteran and Staff Sergeant Ronald Shurer, both formerly in the U. S. Army. The two veterans will be honored prior to the race on both Friday and Saturday night. The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration given by the U.S. Government.
Another veteran and former prisoner of war, Dr. Hal Kushner of Daytona Beach Shores, will pace the field in a Chevrolet Silverado to get the race started. Booth said it's an honor to be able to salute Kushner who spent five and a half years in a prison camp.
Booth said that there's also a way that race fans can help current military by taking part in "Toyota Operation Donation." On Friday and Saturday, fans can drop off non-perishable items at the Toyota Injector. The items will be included in care packages and sent to American troops overseas.
Pre-race activities include the American flag displayed by more than 100 active duty members from all five branches and the national anthem will be sung by U.S. Air Force Captain John McKinney. A presentation of colors by the Patrick Air Force Base Color Guard and a flyover by two F-22s from Tyndall Air Force Base's 43rd Fighter Squadron are also scheduled.
The Circle K Firecracker 250 Powered by Coca-Cola NASCAR Xfinity Series race happens on Friday and gets underway at 7:30 p.m. The 61st annual Coke Zero Sugar 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race takes place Saturday and gets underway at 7:30 p.m.
WNDB will have all the racing live from Daytona International Speedway, both days, on 93.5 FM and 1150 AM. Broadcast begins at 2 p.m. on Friday and noon on Saturday.
