Race Day at Daytona: Next Up, Coke Zero 400

It's race day at Daytona. Fans have been trickling in since the gates opened at 8am this morning. Grand Am-Rolex cars were on the track early for practice. A 250 lap event sponsored by Brumo Porsche is scheduled for 1pm eastern time. Various models of cars are entered for todays race. Porsche, Ford, Chevrolet, and Mazda's will race the 3.2 mile combination superspeedway/road coarse at Daytona. Notables driving in the field are Kyle Busch and actor Patrick Dempsy. Jeremy Mayfield did not show up at Daytona. His absence has caused mixed feelings among the press and drivers. A recent legal victory was the product of his request for "emergency injunctive relief". His absence from the track brings about questions of was it really an emergency? Kyle Petty is todays Grand Marshall. Vince Carter and Kellen Winslow Jr. are also on hand for todays festivities. Carter is honorary pace car driver, and Winslow Jr. is an honorary official. John Smatter, founder of Papa Johns Pizza, is todays honorary ... (link)