As the NASCAR Cup Series gets ready for its regular-season finale in the summertime classic Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, Aug. 28 (7:00 p.m. ET), thoughts go back to the 1930s when racing really began in Daytona Beach, “The Birthplace of Speed.”
For the second consecutive year, the historic Coke Zero Sugar 400 will serve as the last-chance race to make the 16-driver, 2021 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. The first summer Cup Series event (250 miles until extended to 400 miles in 1963) at the high-banked Daytona International Speedway saw Fireball Roberts win on the 2.5-mile layout in 1959, just months after the grand opening of the World Center of Racing and the inaugural Daytona 500.
Prior to hitting the 31 degrees of banking, however, the concept of racing modified stock cars on a circuit that utilized both the Daytona’s Atlantic beach shoreline and the pavement of State Road A1A became a reality in 1936. The original 3.2-mile beach course had the north turn located near the center of town. It ran approximately 1.5 miles north on the beach and then 1.5 miles south on a paved, public roadway with two portions connected by banked, sand turns.
Entered in the event was a larger-than-life man named “Big” Bill France. He witnessed the final year of speed runs on the beach in 1935 and was fired up about what Daytona meant to auto racing on a global scale. His enthusiasm was largely born out of being a competitor, even though the idea of promoting races was lurking in the back of his mind. He finished a solid fifth in the 250-mile event, and knew that he could win stock car races on a regular basis, but also if pressed into service, he could be a successful promoter.
On Feb. 21, 1948, NASCAR would become officially incorporated. Big Bill would be in charge of the new sanctioning body, promoting not only races at the beach-road course but a full championship schedule as well. NASCAR was founded on the simple idea that many people loved revved-up engines and fast cars as much as Big Bill did.
Fans can catch this exciting conclusion to the regular season – the Coke Zero Sugar 400 – by purchasing tickets starting at $49 for adults and $10 for kids 12 and under. Fans who purchase tickets to the race can also purchase access to the UNOH Fanzone for $60. Here, fans can participate in events before the race. This includes, but is not limited to, the return of the traditional Coke Zero Sugar 400 Pre-Race Concert featuring Chris Lane, pre-race ceremonies, driver introductions, access to the large grass ballfield, signing the start/finish line through the middle of the 18-degree, banked trioval. Also scheduled is LIVE entertainment on the main UNOH Fanzone Stage, including NASCAR Personalities Fan Q&A. Fans can also get photos with the winning trophies of the weekend in Ruoff Mortgage Victory Lane.
Tickets to the Xfinity Series Wawa 250 Powered by Coca-Cola are also available, starting at $35 for adults and FREE for kids 12 and under. The Wawa 250 takes place the day before the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Friday, Aug. 27, and access to the UNOH Fanzone will be available before this race as well! A Two-Day Pass is available which includes access to the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Saturday, and the Wawa 250 on Friday. These passes start at $69 for adults.
For tickets: www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or 1-800-PITSHOP.