Die hard NASCAR fans have Orlando and Daytona Beach Florida on their minds as they count down the days to the “Great American Race,” better known as the Daytona 500.

Friday, July 2, 2010 will play host to the Subway Jalapeno 250 Powered by Coca-Cola, the first race of the weekend. The Subway Jalapeno 250 is a NASCAR Nationwide Series race that takes place under the lights of the Daytona National Speedway the night before the Sprint Cup Series Coke Zero 400. While it is the first race to take place in the Coke Zero 400 weekend, it is also the final restrictor plate race that is held each season in the Nationwide Series.

An exciting addition to this year’s Subway Jalapeno 250 is the new NASCAR Nationwide Series car, which will make its on-track debut in this 100-lap, 250-mile race. Testing of the new Nationwide Series car has already begun, with 24 drivers, including Kevin Harvick and Trevor Bayne, participating in the two-day test run that exposed a few glitches in the car. But-there’s no need to panic, NASCAR is appropriately addressing the glitches and both the drivers and fans seem to be impressed with the “newer, sportier-looking car”.

Following the Subway Jalapeno 250, will be the Sprint Cup Series Coke Zero 400, which is set to take place on Saturday, July 3, 2010 as the final race on Daytona’s International Speedway before Speedweek and the Daytona 500 in February 2011. This 160-lap, 400-mile race will celebrate Independence Day in style, with fireworks lighting up the night sky both on and off the track.

The Subway Jalapeno 250 will begin at 8 p.m. EST, and the Sprint Cup Series Coke Zero 400 will wrap things up the following night beginning at 7:30 p.m. EST.

For more information on schedules and tickets, visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com.

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