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U.S. Army Colonel Hal Kushner Named Honorary Pace Truck Driver for the Coke Zero Sugar 400

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Retired U.S. Army Col. Hal Kushner, an area resident who served in Vietnam and was held as a prisoner of war for 5 ½ years, will be the Honorary Pace Truck driver for the 61st annual Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Saturday, July 6 at Daytona International Speedway.

Kushner, who has been an ophthalmologist in the Daytona Beach area since 1977, served as a flight surgeon with the 1st Squadron, 9th U.S. Cavalry, 1st Air Cavalry Division in Vietnam. He was captured by the Viet Cong shortly after his helicopter crashed on Nov. 30, 1967 and was held in captivity in brutal conditions until his release on March 16, 1973.

His many military awards include the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart and the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. He was inducted into the Army Aviation Hall of Fame in 2001.

Kushner will lead the stars of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series around the 2.5-mile tri-oval in a Chevrolet Silverado prior to the start of the 160-lap, 400-mile race. He will also participate in the pre-race ceremonies and attend the drivers meeting.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to host U.S. Army Col. Hal Kushner at the Coke Zero Sugar 400,” Daytona International Speedway President Chip Wile said. “Hal is an American hero. He has made many sacrifices on behalf of his country to preserve the freedoms that we all enjoy today. We look forward to recognizing one of our area residents on this Independence Day holiday weekend.”

“The July Fourth weekend has always been a very special time to me,” Kushner said. “I’m looking forward to driving the pace truck and celebrating our country’s birthday with NASCAR fans.”

Tickets for the Coke Zero Sugar 400 Weekend on July 4-6 and all Daytona International Speedway events can be purchased online at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.

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Auto Racing

Chris Buescher Wins, Bubba Wallace Clinches Playoffs at Daytona’s Coke Zero 400

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Photo Credit: Rafael Crisostomo

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Florida National News) – Chris Buescher has won the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway, and Bubba Wallace has secured the 16th and final spot in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. This will be Wallace’s first time racing for a championship.

Chris Buescher in Victory Lane after the Coke Zero 400. Photo Credit: Mike Brodsky (Florida National News)

Wallace had entered the race in 16th place, but a victory from a driver below the cut line could have knocked him out of the playoffs. An early accident took out several drivers including Ty Gibbs, Ryan Blaney, and several others. A spectacular crash late in the race by Ryan Preece had him flipping at least ten times over the grass. Fortunately, he was able to exit the vehicle.

Bubba Wallace clinches Playoffs. Photo Credit: Mike Brodsky (Florida National News)

The sixteen drivers in the Playoffs include the points leaders William Byron, Martin Truex Jr., Denny Hamlin, Chris Buescher, Kyle Busch, Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, Ross Chastain, Brad Keselowski, Tyler Reddick, Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, Michael McDowell, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Kevin Harvick, and Bubba Wallace.

NASCAR’s first Playoffs Round of Sixteen race takes place next weekend at Darlington, Sunday, September 3rd. Each three-week round of the playoffs will reduce the field by four drivers, leading up to the Season Finale on Sunday, Nov. 5th at Phoenix Raceway, featuring the final four drivers competing for the NASCAR Cup Series championship.

Be sure to stay tuned to Florida National News (www.FloridaNationalNews.com) and Florida Sports Channel (www.FloridaSportsChannel.com) for more.

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Auto Racing

Last Chance For NASCAR Playoffs at Coke Zero 400 in Daytona

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Photo Credit: Mike Brodsky (Florida National News)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Florida National News) – NASCAR fans are already packing the Daytona International Speedway as the regular season comes to its finale Saturday, August 26, with the Coke Zero 400. While fifteen drivers have already secured a spot in the playoffs, the 16th is still up for grabs based on the race results.

Fans at Daytona International Speedway. Photo Credit: Mike Brodsky (Florida National News)

The fifteen drivers who are already guaranteed a spot in NASCAR’s first Playoffs Round of Sixteen race at Darlington, Sunday, September 3rd include the current points leaders Martin Truex Jr., Denny Hamlin, William Byron, Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson, Brad Keselowski, Chris Buescher, Ross Chastain, Ryan Blaney, Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, Tyler Reddick, Joey Logano, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Michael McDowell. The top two drivers, Truex and Hamlin, will compete Saturday night to win the Regular Season Championship. There are seventeen drivers who are competing at the Coke Zero 400 for that final spot in the postseason. Bubba Wallace is currently in 16th place, and could clinch with 24 points. Ty Gibbs and Daniel Suárez could clinch with enough points to pass Wallace or with a victory. AJ Allmendinger, Alex Bowman, Chase Elliott, Austin Cindric, Justin Haley, Ryan Preece, Aric Almirola, Todd Gilliland, Corey LaJoie, Erik Jones, Austin Dillon, Harrison Burton, Chase Briscoe and Ty Dillon need to win on Saturday night to secure their spot in the playoffs.

Bubba Wallace competes for a spot in the Playoffs. Photo Credit: Mike Brodsky (Florida National News)

Each three-week round of the playoffs will reduce the field by four drivers, leading up to the Season Finale on Sunday, Nov. 5th at Phoenix Raceway, featuring the final four drivers competing for the NASCAR Cup Series championship. Joey Logano is the reigning champ after winning in Phoenix last season.

The action begins Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. Be sure to stay tuned to Florida National News (www.FloridaNationalNews.com) and Florida Sports Channel (www.FloridaSportsChannel.com) for more.

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Auto Racing

Daytona International Speedway to Launch Fireworks Extravaganza on Wednesday Night

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Daytona International Speedway is going to finish its Independence Day holiday celebration on Wednesday night with the fireworks show in the sky over Lake Lloyd at the “World Center of Racing.” The fireworks extravaganza was originally scheduled for launch following the completion of last weekend’s Coke Zero Sugar 400, but the show was delayed due to inclement weather.

The Turn 1 and Turn 4 tunnels will be open for the public beginning at 8 p.m. and parking will be available throughout the infield for viewing. The show, which will start at approximately 9 p.m., is free to the public. Patriotic music will be played on speakers and guests can also listen inside the venue on their car radios at 107.9 FM.

Prior to the show, ONE DAYTONA, the retail, dining and entertainment destination located across the street from Daytona International Speedway, will have an interactive DJ, games and more in Victory Circle from 5-8 p.m. Guests that shop, dine, or stay at ONE DAYTONA on Wednesday can bring their receipt to the ONE DAYTONA tent in Victory Circle between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. to redeem a dash pass that will provide premium parking inside Daytona International Speedway’s infield for the fireworks display.

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