Coke Zero 400

Firecracker 400 (1963-1984) Pepsi Firecracker 400 (1985-1988) Pepsi 400 (1989-2007)

The Coke Zero 400 is a race over 400 miles in the NASCAR Sprint Cup at Daytona International Speedway. It traditionally takes place on the night of the first Saturday in July, usually the Independence Day weekend, instead. It is the only restrictor plate race, which takes place at night.

The Coke Zero 400 was previously known as the Pepsi 400, Firecracker 250 and Firecracker 400.

History

In 1959, the race was initially planned as a USAC Championship today Champ Cars. However, the formula racing races were permanently deleted from the calendar of the track after a race with many accidents in April. NASCAR took advantage of this gap and replaced the failed race through their own race.

This NASCAR race was designed as the second big race in the Cup Series at Daytona International Speedway, which should not but affect the legendary status of the Daytona 500. First, the race was 100 laps, so 250 miles, designed with the 4th of July, the American Independence Day, as race date. These first races were called Firecracker 250. After the race in 1963 to 160 rounds and thus was extended 400 miles, was the official name Firecracker 400

From the first race in 1959 to 1987 the race was always held regardless of the day on July 4. Since the 1988 season, the race date is always the first Saturday in July, that is on Saturday, July 4 comes closest. 1988 was also when Bill Elliott from grid position 38 won the race. It was the worst starting place, of which hitherto the race was won in Daytona at all.

In the 1998 season, the race had to be postponed in October due to forest fires in Florida. Before it became a night race from this season, the start was usually in the morning around 10 or 11 clock instead, to go to the very high temperatures and regular thunderstorms in the afternoon out of the way.

In 1984, Ronald Reagan was the first sitting President of the United States, who was present at a NASCAR race. The President was from the start signal via telephone by the board of Air Force One. After landing, he went to the track and saw it with Bill France Jr., the president of NASCAR, at. During the race, Reagan was interviewed by former NASCAR driver Ned Jarrett, who had in 1978 started a career as a radio commentator. The Firecracker 400, the 1984 season is also legendary, as Richard Petty scored here its 200th and last win of his career. After the race, Petty and President Reagan were interviewed together and Reagan was present at the victory celebration in Victory Lane by Petty and his family.

With the end of the race the 2007 Pepsi withdrew as the main sponsor of the race, which he had since 1985. Coca -Cola signed a contract as a new main sponsor of the race since 2008, the race is named after Coke Zero 400

Winner

• 2012: Tony Stewart
• 2011: David Ragan
• 2010: Kevin Harvick
• 2009: Tony Stewart
• 2008: Kyle Busch
• 2007: Jamie McMurray
• 2006: Tony Stewart The race car will pass the " Daytona " lettering during the Pepsi 400 in 2005.
• 2005: Tony Stewart
• 2004: Jeff Gordon
• 2003: Greg Biffle
• 2002: Michael Waltrip
• 2001: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
• 2000: Jeff Burton
• 1999: Dale Jarrett
• 1998: Jeff Gordon
• 1997: John Andretti
• 1996: Sterling Marlin
• 1995: Jeff Gordon
• 1994: Jimmy Spencer
• 1993: Dale Earnhardt
• 1992: Ernie Irvan
• 1991: Bill Elliott
• 1990: Dale Earnhardt
• 1989: Davey Allison
• 1988: Bill Elliott
• 1987: Bobby Allison
• 1986: Tim Richmond
• 1985: Greg Sacks
• 1984: Richard Petty
• 1983: Buddy Baker
• 1982: Bobby Allison
• 1981: Cale Yarborough
• 1980: Bobby Allison
• 1979: Neil Bonnett
• 1978: David Pearson
• 1977: Richard Petty
• 1976: Cale Yarborough
• 1975: Richard Petty
• 1974: David Pearson
• 1973: David Pearson
• 1972: David Pearson
• 1971: Bobby Isaac
• 1970: Donnie Allison
• 1969: LeeRoy Yarbrough
• 1968: Cale Yarborough
• 1967: Cale Yarborough
• 1966: Sam McQuagg
• 1965: A. J. Foyt
• 1964 A. J. Foyt
• 1963: Fireball Roberts
• 1962: Fireball Roberts
• 1961: David Pearson
• 1960: Jack Smith
• 1959: Fireball Roberts

Daytona 500 | Subway Fresh Fit 500 | Kobalt Tools 400 | Food City 500 | Auto Club 400 | Goody's Fast Relief 500 | Samsung Mobile 500 | STP 400 | Crown Royal Presents the Your Name Here 400 | Aaron's 499 | Showtime Southern 500 | Coca- Cola 600 | FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks | 5 - hour Energy 500 | Quicken Loans 400 | Toyota / Save Mart 350 | Quaker State 400 | Coke Zero 400 | Lenox Industrial Tools 301 | Brickyard 400 | Good Sam RV Insurance 500 | Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at the Glen | Pure Michigan 400 | Irwin Tools Night Race | AdvoCare 500 | Wonderful Pistachios 400 | GEICO 400 | Sylvania 300 | AAA 400 | Good Sam Club 500 | Bank of America 500 | Hollywood Casino 400 | Tums Fast Relief 500 | AAA Texas 500 | Kobalt Tools 500 | Ford 400

• NASCAR Sprint Cup race
• Sporting event in Florida
• The Coca -Cola Company
• Daytona Beach