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Coke Zero 400

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For the race known as the Pepsi 400 held at Michigan International Speedway from 1998-2002, see GFS Marketplace 400

The Pepsi 400 is a 160 lap/400 mile (approx. 640 km) NASCAR Nextel Cup Series stock car race held on the first Saturday night of July, usually around the Independence Day weekend at Daytona International Speedway. Following the 2007 running, Pepsi will no longer be the corporate sponsor of the race.

The Pepsi 400 has a storied and unique history, known for 25 years as the Firecracker 400.

The Pepsi 400 is the only restrictor plate race run "under the lights" at night. A unique lighting system implementing parabolic reflectors is used to eliminate glare in driver's eyes.

History

This 160-lap race was developed to make a second major Cup-level racing event for Daytona which would not detract from the legendary status of the Daytona 500. From 1963 to 1988, this race was known as the Firecracker 400; prior to that, it was the Firecracker 250 (100 laps, 250 miles).

In 1959, the race was originally scheduled to be a USAC Championship (Indy) Car event. However, after a crash-filled event in April, open wheel racing on the oval was permanently cancelled. NASCAR quickly stepped in and replaced the schedule with a stock car race.

From 1959 to 1987, the race was always scheduled for July 4, regardless of the day of the week. Beginning in 1988, the race was moved to the first Saturday of July (that nearest July 4). In 1998, wildfires in Florida postponed the race, and it was held in October. Before it became a night race in 1998, the race normally started in the morning (10:00 AM or 11:00 AM) to avoid hot temperatures and the frequent mid-afternoon thunderstorms.

In 1984, President Ronald Reagan became the first sitting U.S. President to attend a NASCAR race. The President gave the command to start the race ("Gentlemen, start your engines") by phone from aboard Air Force One. Landing at Daytona, the President proceeded to the track, and viewed the race with Bill France Jr.. During his time at the race, Reagan was interviewed by NASCAR driver Ned Jarrett, who in 1978 had begun a career as a radio race broadcaster. The 1984 Firecracker 400 is also legendary since it was the race at which Richard Petty achieved his unparalled 200th win. Petty and President Reagan were interviewed together following the race, and the President joined Richard Petty and his family in Victory Lane.

The race between 2001-2006 was shared between NBC and FOX (NBC odd years, FOX even years).

2007 Running

Race Background

In 2007, the 4th of July falls on a Wednesday. The race will be held the next Saturday, July 7. Thus, it will be preceded by the New England 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway instead of the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway. It is unknown how this schedule change will affect future schedules as the Pepsi 400 will fall on Saturday, July 5 in 2008.

With the new television agreement, TNT has the race until 2014. TNT will be broadcasting the race with "Wide Open Coverage." Only four minutes per hour will be used for full-screen commericals, all other commericals will be broadcast in a manner similar to ESPN's "side-by-side" method used for IRL races.

The Pepsi 400 will also the last restrictor plate race using the current car. At the second race at Talladega Superspeedway, and in 2008, the CoT will be used at all races.

Pre-Race & Qualifying

J.J. Yeley turned the fastest lap in the first practice, Robby Gordon turned the fastest lap in the second. Both practice sessions went without incident. During qualifying, on J.J. Yeley's attempt, it began raining. NASCAR allowed Yeley to make a second attempt after a brief rain delay. 39 cars made an attempt before a second rain delay, which forced NASCAR to cancel qualifying. The decision was difficult for NASCAR, as since they cancelled qualifying, the top 4 cars and 5 of the top 7 cars did not make the race, as a result of the top 35 rule.

See also: List of current NASCAR races

Past winners

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