Yesterday's Daytona 500 "drew some big-name celebrities" to DIS, including actor VINCE VAUGHN, who served as Grand Marshal, and KID ROCK, who performed during pre-race festivities. "AMERICAN IDOL" winner PHILLIP PHILLIPS sang the National Anthem, and U.S. women's national soccer team players ABBY WAMBACH, KELLEY O'HARA and CHRISTIE RAMPONE "waved the green flag." Paralympic snowboarder AMY PURDY also "served as the official pace car driver." Others in attendance included Nationals LF BRYCE HARPER, MMA fighter ROBBIE LAWLER, Buccaneers LB LAVONTE DAVID and Jaguars RB TOBY GERHART (Daytona Beach NEWS-JOURNAL, 2/23).
FLEX APPEAL: USA TODAY's Jeff Gluck noted DJ FLEXMASTER FLEX "is a serious NASCAR fan," and he "has 20 classic cars." Yesterday he said there is "no bigger RICHARD PETTY fan than me." He added that he "was wearing a Petty blue sweatshirt in case he got the chance to meet The King." He said, "From his beard, his glasses, his car, the 43, STP and his family -- his father, his son KYLE, the way he lost his grandson -- he comes across as a guy who was never into it for the money" (USA TODAY, 2/23).
PARTY PEOPLE: NASCAR Foundation Chair BETTY JANE FRANCE on Saturday held a pre-Daytona 500 dinner party "for select racing sponsors, team owners and guests." For decades, France and her late husband, BILL FRANCE JR., "hosted a grand dinner or ball for the Grand Marshal of the Daytona 500." Over time, the dinner "included some of the brightest stars in motorsports, politics and the silver screen and it has taken place in some of the area’s largest ballrooms." But now the dinner "has become a smaller, more intimate affair, and has taken on a much more personal feel" with about 50 guests (Daytona Beach NEWS-JOURNAL, 2/22).
AND THE NOMINEES ARE....: NASCAR on Friday announced the ’16 HOF class nominees, including team owner RAY EVERNHAM, former crew chief HARRY HYDE; late NASCAR driver ALAN KULWICKI; team owners RICHARD CHILDRESS and RICK HENDRICK; SMI Exec Chair BRUTON SMITH; Darlington Speedway Founder HAROLD BRASINGTON; Martinsville Speedway Founder H. CLAY EARLES; longtime NASCAR broadcaster KEN SQUIER and former R.J. Reynolds exec RALPH SEAGRAVES (NASCAR).
