Coke Zero 400

"Pepsi 400" redirects here. For the race at Michigan from 1998 to 2002, see Pure Michigan 400.
Coke Zero 400
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Venue Daytona International Speedway
Corporate sponsor Coca-Cola Zero
The Coca-Cola Company
First race July 4, 1959
Distance 400 miles (643.737 km)
Laps 160
Previous names Firecracker 250 (1959–1962)
Firecracker 400 (1963–1968, 1970, 1972, 1974–1984, 1986)
Medal of Honor Firecracker 400 (1969, 1971, 1973)
Pepsi Firecracker 400 (1985, 1987–1988)
Pepsi 400 (1989–2007)
Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola (2008–present)
Most wins (driver) David Pearson (5)
Most wins (team) Wood Brothers Racing (9)
Most wins (manufacturer) Chevrolet (18)
Circuit information
Surface Asphalt
Length 2.5 mi (4.0 km)
Turns 4

The Coke Zero 400 powered by Coca-Cola is an annual NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stock car race at Daytona International Speedway. First held in 1959, the event consists of 160 laps, 400-mile (640 km), and is the second of two major stock car events held at Daytona on the Sprint Cup circuit, the other being the Daytona 500. Since its inception, it has been traditionally held on or around United States' Independence Day. Since 1988, the race has been scheduled for the first Saturday of July closest to July 4. In 1998, it became the first restrictor plate and Daytona race to be held at night.[1][2]

A ten-year contract, starting in 2008, between Atlanta-based Coca-Cola and International Speedway Corporation (ISC), made Coke the official soft drink, official sparkling beverage and official water for ten of ISC's operated motorsports facilities and the Daytona 500. The company replaced Pepsi-Cola, a 19-year race sponsorship, to showcase Coke Zero as the race's title brand through 2018.[3]

The event is recently known for its close finishes, posting a (.154 ds) margin of victory in its last 21 races including the T-4th closest margin of victory in Sprint Cup history at (.005 ms); high speed high-density crashes under the lights, and a broad display of fireworks during post-race celebrations.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is the defending winner of the race.

History

1959–1979

Following two separate fatal accidents to drivers Marshall Teague and George Amick during the inaugural USAC Championship (Indy Car) weekend events at Daytona International Speedway in April 1959, speedway officials announced that extremely high speeds would prompt them to conclude any scheduled events at the track, including a 300-mile race scheduled on July 4. William France Sr., the Daytona superspeedway owner at the time, announced plans to hold a 250-mile stock car race instead, which would take 100 laps, scheduled for the same day.[4]

The race was named the Firecracker 250, because the race would be held on the United States' Independence Day. William France, Sr. announced on July 1 that the winner of the race would receive the Marshall Teague Memorial trophy, a trophy honoring and commemorating the life of Teague, who had died in February. The trophy had been presented by Teague's daughter and widow.[5]

The inaugural race was held on July 4, 1959, at about midday to limit the possibility of afternoon interference from thunderstorms common to Florida, and to exploit the potential for competitors meeting relatives and friends for an afternoon of fun on the nearby beach.[6] Before the race, preliminary activities took place, including a Miss Dixie pageant, where twenty aspiring pageant winning hopefuls marched to showcase their bathing suits.[7] With 12,900 spectators in attendance the race ran its scheduled 250 miles with no caution flags, and with a 57-second lead over runner-up Joe Weatherly, Daytona Beach native Fireball Roberts won in dominating fashion leading 84 of 100 laps.[8][9] Over the course of the next three years a couple of NASCAR's top drivers would go on to win the Firecracker 250, including Jack Smith, David Pearson and a repeat victory in 1962 for Fireball Roberts.[8]

Expansion was needed. In just three years from the race's inaugural event attendance had grown by more than 10,000 spectators, as tourists flocked to the beaches for the holidays. In 1963, the race was expanded from 100 laps to 160 laps, for a distance of 400 miles and subsequently became known as the Firecracker 400. In the same year, Fireball Roberts drove his 1963 Ford to victory, becoming the first driver to win back-to-back events, barely beating Fred Lorenzen.[8] Roberts was unable to go for three straight wins due to his death on July 2, 1964.[10]

Richard Petty was the man to beat during the sixth annual 400-mile July race, but on lap 103, engine problems cost him a chance at victory. Over the course of the final 56 laps, Bobby Isaac and rookie teammate A.J. Foyt swapped the lead 15 times.[8] Coming out of the fourth turn, Foyt was able to barely edge out Isaac to the stripe; giving Foyt his first career NASCAR victory in only his tenth start.[11] One year later Foyt got his second career win, becoming the second driver to win back-to-back Firecracker races.[12]

Foyt did not try to defend the title of reigning race winner in 1966.[8] Instead it was the dark horse 1965 Rookie of the Year driver Sam McQuagg winning the race. McQuagg collected his first and only NASCAR victory driving a 1966 Dodge Charger while utilizing a new racing mechanism: the rear 'spoiler'. The air cutting spoiler allowed McQuagg to shatter Foyt's 151.451 mph race average set two years prior.[13] Only two cars finished on the lead lap and the margin of victory to second place driver Darel Dieringer was sixty-six seconds.[8]

In late March 1969 William France, Sr. invited all surviving Medal of Honor recipients to attend the July 4 race, dubbed the Medal of Honor Firecracker 400. Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee would arrange for the heroes and their families to be flown in via military aircraft.[14] 100 members from 31 states would attend the race with Thomas J. Kelly the president of The Medal of Honor Society as the grand marshal.[15] With success France Sr. invited them on two more occasions in 1971 and 1973, won by Bobby Isaac and David Pearson respectively.[8][16][17]

The 1996 Pepsi 400 at Daytona

In 1974, the maneuver used by David Pearson to win his third straight Firecracker race would be talked about well after he crossed the stripe. After collecting the white flag Pearson slowed his Wood Brothers 73' Mercury to allow Richard Petty to jump out to a seven car lead. Following the race Pearson was quoted saying "I thought Petty might be able to slingshot and draft past me on that last lap and that's why I didn't want to be leading..."[18] Using the draft Pearson was able to close on Petty into the final turn and eventually passed him coming to the tri-oval for the win.[19] Eight seconds behind the Pearson-Petty duel, Buddy Baker and Cale Yarborough seemed to have crossed the finish line at the same time. After two hours of deliberation officials announced a dead heat for third place, the only tie recorded in NASCAR history.[18] During the race nine different drivers exchanged the lead 49 times, a race record that stood until it was broken with 57 between 25 different drivers in 2011.[20]

After the 1974 Firecracker 400 David Pearson became the first and only driver to win three consecutive races and first to win four July events. Before the 1975 race he would try to extend his streak to five wins.[21] However, with 19 laps remaining Pearson ended up having oil line complications and finished the race in the 20th position. Instead five time winning Daytona 500 driver Richard Petty, finally won the Daytona July race by edging out Buddy Baker, after 17 years of trying.[8][21]

In 1977 Richard Petty collected his second win at Daytona in July, and it took almost four hours as the Firecracker witnessed its first rain-delayed race.[8] Among the lineup were three female drivers; Lella Lombardi, Christine Beckers, and Janet Guthrie, whom finished 31st, 37th, and 40th respectively.[22] The following year, 1978, Pearson collected his final win at the track, becoming the only driver to win five July Daytona races, and became the most-winning driver at Daytona International Speedway with five wins, until Richard Petty won the Daytona 500 the following year.

1980–present

In 1985, the race became known as the Pepsi Firecracker 400, when PepsiCo became the title sponsor. In 1989, the "Firecracker" name was dropped, and the race was known simply as the Pepsi 400 through 2007. From 1998–2002, the race was often subtitled the "Pepsi 400 at Daytona" to differentiate it between another race titled the Pepsi 400, held at Michigan during that timeframe.

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 to July 4). Going forward, the race would only be held on July 4 in years in which it fell on Saturday. Subsequent to this, the 1992 and 2009 races fell on July 4.

On July 4, 1987, in the wake of Bobby Allison's massive crash at Talladega, the cars were fitted with 390 CFM carburetors. The change helped slow the cars down several mph. On the final lap, Ken Schrader flipped upside-down in the tri-oval as the field crossed the finish line. It would be the final race at Daytona without restrictor plates.

2008 Coke Zero 400

For most of its history, the race normally started in the morning (10:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. eastern) to avoid hot summer temperatures and the frequent mid-afternoon thunderstorms in Florida. During live ESPN telecasts, the term "Breakfast at Daytona" was used, a gesture to NBC's popular "Breakfast at Wimbledon", taking place the same weekend.

In July 1997, Daytona International Speedway announced a massive lighting project to be done by MUSCO lighting, the same company that installed lights at Charlotte. Plans called for the 1998 Pepsi 400 to be held under the lights in primetime. At the time, it was the longest track with a night race, and the first restrictor plate race held at night.

On July 4, 1998, however, the race had to be postponed until October 17. Wildfires in Florida consumed the surrounding areas, and the track was converted into a firefighters' staging area. Track officials rescheduled the race for October that year. It marked the only time that NASCAR ran back-to-back restrictor plate races, since they had raced at Talladega the week before.

During the 2010 race, NASCAR Chief Marketing Officer Steve Phelps was featured on the CBS reality show Undercover Boss. Scenes from the program were filmed the race weekend.

Presidential visits

With the race's fundamental link to Independence Day, U.S. Presidents have been in attendance on two notable occasions.

On Wednesday July 4, 1984, President Ronald Reagan became the first sitting U.S. President to attend a NASCAR race. The President gave the starting command 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 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 unparalleled 200th (and final) win. Petty and President Reagan were interviewed together following the race, and the President joined Richard Petty and his family in Victory Lane.

On July 4, 1992, President George H. W. Bush attended the race, which served as a Daytona farewell tribute to Richard Petty during his "Fan Appreciation Tour." Bush, on the 1992 campaign trail, participated in pre-race festivities, gave the starting command, and rode around the track in the pace car during the pace laps. Petty qualified a strong second, and led the first 5 laps of the race and quickly fell back to the end of the field. He succumbed to heat exhaustion, however, and dropped out four laps beyond the halfway point.

On July 1, 2000, then-Texas governor and future president George W. Bush attended the race while on the campaign trail, and gave the starting command.

First wins

The Coke Zero 400 has been known to produce a number of drivers' first career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victories. Drivers include A. J. Foyt, Sam McQuagg, Greg Sacks, Jimmy Spencer, Aric Almirola, John Andretti, Greg Biffle, and David Ragan. McQuagg and Sacks, in fact, never won another race in their respective careers.

The 400 has also marked the first of multiple points-paying victories at Daytona for a total of seven drivers, including Jeff Gordon (1995), Dale Earnhardt (after 24 previous attempts from 1978–1990), Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (2001), and Jamie McMurray (2007). David Pearson won the 400 four times prior to finally winning the Daytona 500 in 1976.

Kevin Harvick won his first Coke Zero 400.

In 2000, Jeff Burton's race victory marked his first of 2 career restrictor plate wins. In addition, Tony Stewart has won the 400 four times, but has never won the Daytona 500 (his best finish being a second-place finish to Dale Earnhardt, Jr. in 2004).

In 2010, Kevin Harvick won the Coke Zero 400.

In 2014, Cuban-American Aric Almirola started 15th but clawed into contention early in the event. He grabbed the lead from Kurt Busch ahead of a wild 20-car melee entering Turn Three. Busch led on the Lap 105 restart but Almirola surged back ahead with Brian Vickers taking second before the race was stopped for rain. Almirola was declared the winner nearly an hour after the red flag came out. It was the first win at Daytona for Richard Petty's #43 and came thirty years after Petty's tenth and final driver win there. Though fans initially believed that NASCAR only called the race because of the significance of the #43, NASCAR drivers and experts supported the decision stating that they tried to get the track dried but they could not once the skies opened up and more rain came onto the track.

In 2015, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. won his second race of the season and second at Daytona International Speedway, He led 96 of 161 laps, and won the pole after qualifying was rained out, and The Big One happened when Earnhardt, Jr. won the race.

Past winners

Year Day Date Driver Team Manufacturer Race Distance Race Time Average Speed
(mph)
Report
Laps Miles (km)
1959 Saturday July 4 Fireball Roberts Jim Stephens Pontiac 100 250 (402.336) 1:46:42 140.581 Report
1960 Monday July 4 Jack Smith Jack Smith Pontiac 100 250 (402.336) 1:42:09 146.842 Report
1961 Tuesday July 4 David Pearson John Masoni Pontiac 100 250 (402.336) 1:37:13 154.294 Report
1962 Wednesday July 4 Fireball Roberts (2) Banjo Matthews Pontiac 100 250 (402.336) 1:37:36 153.688 Report
1963 Thursday July 4 Fireball Roberts (3) Holman-Moody Ford 160 400 (643.737) 2:39:01 150.927 Report
1964 Saturday July 4 A. J. Foyt Ray Nichels Dodge 160 400 (643.737) 2:38:28 151.451 Report
1965 Sunday July 4 A. J. Foyt (2) Wood Brothers Racing Ford 160 400 (643.737) 2:39:57 150.046 Report
1966 Monday July 4 Sam McQuagg Ray Nichels (2) Dodge 160 400 (643.737) 2:36:02 153.813 Report
1967 Tuesday July 4 Cale Yarborough Wood Brothers Racing (2) Ford 160 400 (643.737) 2:47:09 143.583 Report
1968 Thursday July 4 Cale Yarborough (2) Wood Brothers Racing (3) Mercury 160 400 (643.737) 2:23:30 167.247 Report
1969 Friday July 4 LeeRoy Yarbrough Junior Johnson & Associates Ford 160 400 (643.737) 2:29:11 160.875 Report
1970 Saturday July 4 Donnie Allison Banjo Matthews (2) Ford 160 400 (643.737) 2:27:56 162.235 Report
1971 Sunday July 4 Bobby Isaac Nord Krauskopf Dodge 160 400 (643.737) 2:28:12 161.947 Report
1972 Tuesday July 4 David Pearson (2) Wood Brothers Racing (4) Mercury 160 400 (643.737) 2:29:14 160.821 Report
1973 Wednesday July 4 David Pearson (3) Wood Brothers Racing (5) Mercury 160 400 (643.737) 2:31:27 158.468 Report
1974 Thursday July 4 David Pearson (4) Wood Brothers Racing (6) Mercury 160 400 (643.737) 2:53:32 138.310 Report
1975 Friday July 4 Richard Petty Petty Enterprises Dodge 160 400 (643.737) 2:31:32 158.381 Report
1976 Sunday July 4 Cale Yarborough (3) Junior Johnson & Associates (2) Buick 160 400 (643.737) 2:29:06 160.966 Report
1977* Monday July 4 Richard Petty (2) Petty Enterprises (2) Dodge 160 400 (643.737) 2:48:10 142.716 Report
1978 Tuesday July 4 David Pearson (5) Wood Brothers Racing (7) Mercury 160 400 (643.737) 2:35:30 154.340 Report
1979 Wednesday July 4 Neil Bonnett Wood Brothers Racing (8) Mercury 160 400 (643.737) 2:18:49 172.890 Report
1980 Friday July 4 Bobby Allison Bud Moore Engineering Mercury 160 400 (643.737) 2:18:21 173.473 Report
1981 Saturday July 4 Cale Yarborough (4) M.C. Anderson Racing Buick 160 400 (643.737) 2:48:32 142.588 Report
1982 Sunday July 4 Bobby Allison (2) DiGard Motorsports Buick 160 400 (643.737) 2:27:09 163.099 Report
1983 Monday July 4 Buddy Baker Wood Brothers Racing (9) Ford 160 400 (643.737) 2:23:20 167.442 Report
1984 Wednesday July 4 Richard Petty (3) Curb Racing Pontiac 160 400 (643.737) 2:19:59 171.204 Report
1985 Thursday July 4 Greg Sacks DiGard Motorsports (2) Chevrolet 160 400 (643.737) 2:31:12 158.730 Report
1986 Friday July 4 Tim Richmond Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 160 400 (643.737) 3:01:56 131.916 Report
1987 Saturday July 4 Bobby Allison (3) Stavola Brothers Racing Buick 160 400 (643.737) 2:29:00 161.074 Report
1988 Saturday July 2 Bill Elliott Melling Racing Ford 160 400 (643.737) 2:26:58 163.302 Report
1989 Saturday July 1 Davey Allison Robert Yates Racing Ford 160 400 (643.737) 3:01:32 132.207 Report
1990 Saturday July 7 Dale Earnhardt Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 160 400 (643.737) 2:29:10 160.894 Report
1991 Saturday July 6 Bill Elliott (2) Melling Racing (2) Ford 160 400 (643.737) 2:30:50 159.116 Report
1992 Saturday July 4 Ernie Irvan Morgan-McClure Motorsports Chevrolet 160 400 (643.737) 2:20:47 170.457 Report
1993 Saturday July 3 Dale Earnhardt (2) Richard Childress Racing (3) Chevrolet 160 400 (643.737) 2:38:09 151.755 Report
1994 Saturday July 2 Jimmy Spencer Junior Johnson & Associates (3) Ford 160 400 (643.737) 2:34:17 155.558 Report
1995 Saturday July 1 Jeff Gordon Hendrick Motorsports (2) Chevrolet 160 400 (643.737) 2:23:44 166.976 Report
1996 Saturday July 6 Sterling Marlin Morgan-McClure Motorsports (2) Chevrolet 117* 292.5 (470.733) 1:48:36 161.602 Report
1997 Saturday July 5 John Andretti Cale Yarborough Motorsports Ford 160 400 (643.737) 2:32:06 157.791 Report
1998 Saturday October 17* Jeff Gordon (2) Hendrick Motorsports (3) Chevrolet 160 400 (643.737) 2:46:02 144.549 Report
1999 Saturday July 3 Dale Jarrett Robert Yates Racing (2) Ford 160 400 (643.737) 2:21:50 169.213 Report
2000 Saturday July 1 Jeff Burton Roush Racing Ford 160 400 (643.737) 2:41:32 148.576 Report
2001 Saturday July 7 Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet 160 400 (643.737) 2:32:17 157.601 Report
2002 Saturday July 6 Michael Waltrip Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (2) Chevrolet 160 400 (643.737) 2:56:32 135.952 Report
2003 Saturday July 5 Greg Biffle Roush Racing (2) Ford 160 400 (643.737) 2:24:29 166.109 Report
2004 Saturday July 3 Jeff Gordon (3) Hendrick Motorsports (4) Chevrolet 160 400 (643.737) 2:45:23 145.117 Report
2005 Saturday
Sunday
July 2–3* Tony Stewart Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet 160 400 (643.737) 3:03:11 131.016 Report
2006 Saturday July 1 Tony Stewart (2) Joe Gibbs Racing (2) Chevrolet 160 400 (643.737) 2:36:43 153.143 Report
2007 Saturday July 7 Jamie McMurray Roush Fenway Racing (3) Ford 160 400 (643.737) 2:52:41 138.983 Report
2008 Saturday July 5 Kyle Busch Joe Gibbs Racing (3) Toyota 162* 405 (651.784) 2:55:23 138.554 Report
2009 Saturday July 4 Tony Stewart (3) Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet 160 400 (643.737) 2:48:28 142.461 Report
2010 Saturday
Sunday
July 3–4* Kevin Harvick Richard Childress Racing (3) Chevrolet 166* 415 (667.878) 3:03:28 130.814 Report
2011 Saturday July 2 David Ragan Roush Fenway Racing (4) Ford 170* 425 (683.971) 2:39:53 159.491 Report
2012 Saturday July 7 Tony Stewart (4) Stewart-Haas Racing (2) Chevrolet 160 400 (643.737) 2:32:14 157.653 Report
2013 Saturday July 6 Jimmie Johnson Hendrick Motorsports (5) Chevrolet 161* 402.5 (647.76) 2:36:30 154.313 Report
2014 Sunday July 6* Aric Almirola Richard Petty Motorsports Ford 112* 280 (450.616) 2:09:14 130.014 Report
2015 Sunday
Monday
July 5–6* Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (2) Hendrick Motorsports (6) Chevrolet 161* 402.5 (647.76) 2:58:58 134.941 Report

The following races have been shortened:

The following races have been extended due to a Green-white-checker finish:

Other info:

Multiple winners (drivers)

1996 Pepsi 400
# Wins Driver Years Won
5 David Pearson 1961, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1978
4 Cale Yarborough 1967, 1968, 1976, 1981
Tony Stewart 2005, 2006, 2009, 2012
3 Fireball Roberts 1959, 1962, 1963
Richard Petty 1975, 1977, 1984
Bobby Allison 1980, 1982, 1987
Jeff Gordon 1995, 1998, 2004
2 A. J. Foyt 1964, 1965
Bill Elliott 1988, 1991
Dale Earnhardt 1990, 1993
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. 2001, 2015

Multiple winners (teams)

# Wins Team Years Won
9 Wood Brothers Racing 1965, 1967, 1968, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1978, 1979, 1983
6 Hendrick Motorsports 1986, 1995, 1998, 2004, 2013, 2015
4 Roush Fenway Racing 2000, 2003, 2007, 2011
3 Junior Johnson & Associates 1969, 1976, 1994
Richard Childress Racing 1990, 1993, 2010
Joe Gibbs Racing 2005, 2006, 2008
2 Banjo Matthews 1962, 1970
Ray Nichels 1964, 1966
Petty Enterprises 1975, 1977
DiGard Motorsports 1982, 1985
Melling Racing 1988, 1991
Robert Yates Racing 1989, 1999
Morgan-McClure Motorsports 1992, 1996
Dale Earnhardt, Inc. 2001, 2002
Stewart-Haas Racing 2009, 2012

Manufacturer wins

# Wins Manufacturer Years Won
18 Chevrolet 1985, 1986, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015
17 Ford 1963, 1965, 1967, 1969, 1970, 1983, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1994, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2014
7 Mercury 1968, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1978, 1973, 1980
5 Dodge 1964, 1966, 1971, 1975, 1977
Pontiac 1959, 1960, 1958, 1962, 1984
4 Buick 1976, 1981, 1982, 1987
1 Toyota 2008

Race summaries

Richard Petty's car used for his 1979 Daytona 500 win, on display at Daytona USA in January 2001
The 1996 race
The first night race in 1998.
Cars race by the "DAYTONA" letters during the 2005 Pepsi 400.

Statistics

Consecutive victories

Coke Zero 400 & Daytona 500

Dale Earnhardt at 1998 Pepsi 400

Many drivers who have won the Daytona 500 have also won the Coke Zero 400 at some point in their career. In addition, almost every multiple-time Daytona 500 winner has won at least one Coke Zero 400 in the career, with the exception of Matt Kenseth who has won the Daytona 500 in 2009 and 2012, but never the July race. In the reverse direction, Tony Stewart has won the Coke Zero 400 four times, but never the Daytona 500 (his best 500 finish being second, behind Dale Earnhardt, Jr. in 2004). Among the most notable, David Pearson won the 400 four times prior to finally winning the Daytona 500 in 1976.

The drivers who have won the Coke Zero 400 and the Daytona 500 are as follows (Bold indicates winning both in the same season):

Driver Daytona 500 win(s) Coke Zero 400 win(s)
Richard Petty 1964, 1966, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1979, 1981 1975, 1977, 1984
Cale Yarborough 1968, 1977, 1983, 1984 1967, 1968, 1976, 1981
Bobby Allison 1978, 1982, 1988 1980, 1982, 1987
Jeff Gordon 1997, 1999, 2005 1995, 1998, 2004
Dale Jarrett 1993, 1996, 2000 1999
Bill Elliott 1985, 1987 1988, 1991
Sterling Marlin 1994, 1995 1996
Michael Waltrip 2001, 2003 2002
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. 2004, 2014 2001, 2015
Jimmie Johnson 2006, 2013 2013
David Pearson 1976 1961, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1978
Fireball Roberts 1962 1962, 1963
A.J. Foyt 1972 1964, 1965
Dale Earnhardt 1998 1990, 1993
LeeRoy Yarbrough 1969 1969
Buddy Baker 1980 1983
Ernie Irvan 1991 1992
Davey Allison 1992 1989
Kevin Harvick 2007 2010
Jamie McMurray 2010 2007

Broadcasting

In the 1970s and 1980s, the race was shown tape delayed on ABC's Wide World of Sports on the Saturday following the race. Typically, since July 4 often fell during the week, the broadcast would not air the same day the race was held. If July 4 fell on a Saturday, the race was aired later in the day, taped and edited.

Kyle Petty at the 1998 Pepsi 400

From 1989 through 1997, the race switched to a live flag-to-flag broadcast on ESPN. The 1989 event was noteworthy in that it was the event's first live coverage (actually slightly time shifted), and the first opportunity for ESPN to broadcast an event from Daytona. The switch came one year after the race was planted firmly on Saturday morning. The 1990 race was live flag-to-flag.

For the 1995 Pepsi 400 and Southern 500, ESPN ran what was a bit of prelude to DirecTV's Hotpass. ESPN showed the race, while ESPN2 showed onboard cameras and radio with some of the teams.

When it was scheduled to become a night race in 1998, broadcast rights changed to CBS, which also at that time covered the Daytona 500. However, the 1998 event was postponed until October due to Florida wildfires. CBS partner TNN broadcast the race live instead. For 1999–2000, the race reverted to live broadcast on CBS in primetime. Between 2001 and 2006, the race was shared between NBC and Fox (NBC odd years, Fox even years, the opposite of the Daytona 500 coverage).

In 2007, TNT took over television rights under the new contract, and introduced their "Wide Open Coverage" for this race. It is similar to ABC and ESPN's Side-by-Side commercial format for IndyCar broadcasts. The race was broadcast in splitscreen format, with the race footage on the top half of the screen in 16:9 format, and scoring and graphics on the bottom half. Commercials were broadcast in a box in the bottom right hand corner of the screen, and various special two-minute advertisements were filmed for the telecast by the respective advertisers. In 2010, the race was broadcast in 3-D on NASCAR.com and DirecTV. In 2013, the race was carried by TNT and simulcast on truTV. Beginning in 2015, the exclusive broadcast rights moved to NASCAR on NBC and NBC Sports in a ten-year deal to broadcast the final 20 races of the season (1 of 20), this race was broadcast on NBC with side-by-side during the second half of the race when a caution was not out.

Tape-delay coverage

Year Network Lap-by-lap Color commentator(s)
1961 ABC Bill Flemming Chris Economaki
1962 ABC Bill Flemming Chris Economaki
1963 ABC Bill Flemming Chris Economaki
1965 ABC Bill Flemming Chris Economaki
1967 ABC Jim McKay Fred Lorenzen
Chris Economaki (pitside)
1969 ABC Jim McKay Chris Economaki
1970 ABC Jim McKay Chris Economaki
1971 ABC Jim McKay Chris Economaki
1972 ABC Keith Jackson Chris Economaki
1973 ABC Keith Jackson Jackie Stewart
Chris Economaki (pitside)
1974 ABC Keith Jackson Jackie Stewart
Chris Economaki (pitside)
1975 ABC Keith Jackson
1976 ABC Keith Jackson
1977 ABC Keith Jackson
1978 ABC Jim McKay Chris Economaki (pitside)
1979 ABC Bill Flemming Sam Posey
1980 ABC Jim McKay Sam Posey
1981 ABC Keith Jackson Jackie Stewart
1982 ABC Keith Jackson Chris Economaki
1983 ABC Keith Jackson
1984 ABC Jim Lampley Sam Posey
Larry Nuber (pitside)
1985 ABC Al Trautwig Sam Posey
1986 ABC Al Trautwig Sam Posey
1987 ABC Keith Jackson Donnie Allison
1988 ABC Paul Page Johnny Rutherford

Live flag-to-flag coverage

Year Network Lap-by-lap Color commentator(s) Ratings[33] Viewers[33]
1989 ESPN Bob Jenkins Benny Parsons
Ned Jarrett
1990 ESPN Bob Jenkins Benny Parsons
Ned Jarrett
1991 ESPN Bob Jenkins Benny Parsons
Ned Jarrett
1992 ESPN Bob Jenkins Benny Parsons
Ned Jarrett
1993 ESPN Bob Jenkins Benny Parsons
Ned Jarrett
1994 ESPN Bob Jenkins Benny Parsons
Ned Jarrett
1995 ESPN
ESPN2
Bob Jenkins Benny Parsons
Ned Jarrett
1996 ESPN Bob Jenkins Benny Parsons
Ned Jarrett
2.6[34] 1.8 million HH
1997 ESPN Bob Jenkins Benny Parsons 4.0[35] 2.9 million HH
1998 TNN* Eli Gold Buddy Baker
Dick Berggren
4.7/8[36] 3.4 million HH
1999 CBS[37] Mike Joy Ned Jarrett
Buddy Baker
5.4/12
2000 CBS Mike Joy Ned Jarrett
Buddy Baker
5.2/12
2001 NBC Allen Bestwick Benny Parsons
Wally Dallenbach
6.1/13 10.221 million
2002 Fox Mike Joy Darrell Waltrip
Larry McReynolds
5.2/12 8.551 million
2003 NBC Allen Bestwick Benny Parsons
Wally Dallenbach
6.0/13 9.691 million
2004 Fox Mike Joy Darrell Waltrip
Larry McReynolds
5.2/12 8.725 million
2005 NBC Bill Weber Benny Parsons
Wally Dallenbach
5.5/13 8.308 million
2006 Fox Mike Joy Darrell Waltrip
Larry McReynolds
5.1/11 8.248 million
2007 TNT Bill Weber Wally Dallenbach
Kyle Petty
3.8 6.162 million
2008 TNT Bill Weber Wally Dallenbach
Kyle Petty
3.8 6.390 million
2009 TNT Ralph Sheheen Wally Dallenbach
Kyle Petty
3.1 5.277 million
2010 TNT Adam Alexander Wally Dallenbach
Kyle Petty
3.6 6.127 million
2011 TNT Adam Alexander Wally Dallenbach
Kyle Petty
3.4 6.029 million
2012 TNT
truTV
Adam Alexander Wally Dallenbach
Kyle Petty
3.8[38] 6.184 million
2013 TNT Adam Alexander Wally Dallenbach
Kyle Petty
3.5 5.7 million
2014 TNT Adam Alexander Wally Dallenbach
Kyle Petty
2.4[39] 4.0 million
2015 NBC Rick Allen Jeff Burton
Steve Letarte
2.7[40] 4.0 million
2016 NBC Rick Allen Jeff Burton
Steve Letarte

See also

References

  1. Hoagland, Brian (July 5, 1987). "Firecracker 400 Set for Saturday Closest to July 4". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  2. Trout, Ben (October 15, 1998). "Pepsi 400 at Daytona is finally here". Williamson Daily News. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  3. Atlanta Business Chronicle (July 9, 2007). "Coke enters victory lane with NASCAR". Bizjournals.com. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  4. Times Wire Services (April 8, 1959). "'Speedway' Races Out at Daytona". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  5. "Hottest in 'Firecracker' gets first Teague trophy". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. July 1, 1959. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  6. Menzer, Joe (July 9, 2009). "Daytona's July race has a rich history all of its own". NASCAR.com. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  7. "Dixie Festivities get under way". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. June 29, 1959. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Racing Reference". Retrieved July 5, 2011.
  9. "1959 Firecracker 250 Results". RacingReference.info. July 4, 1959. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
  10. Watt, Kristin (June 27, 2011). "Fatal crashes in the early history of NASCAR: A fan’s look". Yahoo! News. Retrieved July 5, 2011.
  11. Associated Press (July 6, 1964). "Foyt Won Firecracker 400 Like Racehorse – By A Nose". Ocala Star Banner. Retrieved July 8, 2011.
  12. Foster, Jim (July 5, 1965). "Foyt Wins Second Firecracker 400". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. Retrieved July 8, 2011.
  13. UPI (July 5, 1966). "McQuagg Wins Firecracker 400 Crown". Williamson Daily News. Retrieved July 8, 2011.
  14. "Medal of Honor Winners invited to 'Cracker 400". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. March 22, 1969. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  15. Macfeely, F. T. (June 27, 1969). "Living Heroes Will Watch As Guests of Firecracker". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  16. UPI (July 5, 1971). "Firecracker Winner". The Sumter Daily Item. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  17. Associated Press (July 5, 1973). "Pearson Snares Firecracker 400". St. Joseph Gazette. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  18. 1 2 Associated Press (July 5, 1974). "Firecracker". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  19. Associated Press (July 5, 1974). "Pearson Edges Petty for Firecracker 400 win". St. Joseph Gazette. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  20. Frederick, Henry (July 3, 2011). "Dale Earnhardt Jr. caught up in Daytona wreckage". NSBNEWS.net. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  21. 1 2 Associated Press (June 15, 1975). "Firecracker 400 Shaping Up as 'Race of Kings'". The Florence Times—Tri-Cities Daily. Retrieved February 26, 2012.
  22. Aumann, Mark (November 5, 2009). "'77 Firecracker last time females in same Cup race". NASCAR.COM. Retrieved May 16, 2012.
  23. Phil Finney crash at Daytona
  24. 1987 Firecracker finish
  25. 1988 Firecracker 400 finish and postrace
  26. Lake Speed crash at 1989 Firecracker 400
  27. 1 2 "Coke Zero 400 facts & figures". Orlando Sentinel. July 7, 2008. Retrieved January 31, 2013.
  28. Sulic, Ivan (September 1, 2005). "NASCAR 06: Total Team Control". IGN. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
  29. Coke Zero 400 last lap
  30. Tony Stewart wins Coke Zero 400
  31. "Coke Zero 400 at Daytona goes green after long rain delay". USA Today. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  32. USA Today (July 6, 2015). "Austin Dillon in horrifying crash; five fans injured". Retrieved June 6, 2015.
  33. 1 2 "A Coke and a frown.". Sports Media Watch. 2009-07-08. Retrieved 2009-07-09.
  34. 1996 television ratings from "RACER Magazine" posted on Bob Jenning's World O' Racing, Dated 5/19/99
  35. 1997 television ratings from "RACER Magazine" posted on Bob Jenning's World O' Racing, Dated 5/19/99
  36. 1998 television ratings from "RACER Magazine" posted on Bob Jenning's World O' Racing, Dated 5/19/99
  37. 41st Annual Pepsi 400 (1999) home page at Hollywood.com
  38. Sprint Cup: Daytona Simulcast Hits Four-Year High on TNT, TruTV
  39. Sprint Cup TV Ratings: Postponed Daytona Race Low, But Not That Bad
  40. http://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2015/07/nascar-daytona-ratings-up-despite-delay-nbc-return/

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