Coke Zero Sugar 400 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Coke Zero Sugar 400

NASCAR Cup Series
Venue	Daytona International Speedway
Location	Daytona Beach, Florida, United States
Corporate sponsor	Coca-Cola Zero Sugar The Coca-Cola Company
First race	1959 (1959)
Distance	400 miles (643.74 km)
Laps	160 Stages 1/2: 50 each Final stage: 60
Previous names	Firecracker 250 (1959–1962) Firecracker 400 (1963–1968, 1970, 1972, 1974–1984) Medal of Honor Firecracker 400 (1969, 1971, 1973) Pepsi Firecracker 400 (1985–1988) Pepsi 400 (1989–2007) Coke Zero 400 powered by Coca-Cola (2008–2017)
Most wins (driver)	David Pearson (5)
Most wins (team)	Wood Brothers Racing (9)
Most wins (manufacturer)	Chevrolet Ford (21)
Circuit information
Surface	Asphalt
Length	2.5 mi (4.0 km)
Turns	4

The Coke Zero Sugar 400 is an exciting annual NASCAR Cup Series stock car race held at Daytona International Speedway in Florida. This race started way back in 1959. Drivers complete 160 laps, covering a distance of 400 miles (about 644 km). It's one of two big NASCAR Cup Series races at Daytona each year, the other being the famous Daytona 500.

For many years, from 1959 to 2019, the race was held around July 4th. In 1998, it became the first stock car race at Daytona to be held at night, under bright lights! Since 2020, the race has moved to late August.

From 1985 to 2007, the race was known as the Pepsi 400 because PepsiCo was the main sponsor. Then, in 2008, The Coca-Cola Company took over, and the race became known as the Coke Zero 400, featuring the Coca-Cola Zero Sugar brand.

This race is famous for its super close finishes. Many races have ended with cars separated by less than a second! It's also known for high-speed crashes and amazing fireworks after the race.

Chris Buescher is the most recent winner of this exciting race.

History of the Race

Early Years: 1959–1969

Before the Daytona International Speedway even opened, there were plans for a different type of race on July 4th, 1959. But after some serious accidents during testing, officials decided to hold a 250-mile (402 km) NASCAR stock car race instead. This race was called the Firecracker 250. It got its name because it was held on Independence Day, a holiday known for fireworks.

The very first Firecracker 250 took place on July 4, 1959. It started in the morning to avoid Florida's afternoon thunderstorms. A local hero, Fireball Roberts, won the race easily, leading most of the laps. Over the next few years, other top NASCAR drivers like Jack Smith and David Pearson also won. Fireball Roberts even won again in 1962.

As more and more fans came to watch, the race grew! In 1963, it was made longer, from 100 laps to 160 laps, covering 400 miles (644 km). It was then renamed the Firecracker 400. Fireball Roberts won again that year, becoming the first driver to win the race two times in a row. Sadly, he passed away in 1964.

In 1964, A. J. Foyt won his first NASCAR race at Daytona in a very close finish. He won again in 1965, becoming the second driver to win back-to-back Firecracker races. In 1966, Sam McQuagg won his only NASCAR race, using a new car design feature called a 'spoiler' to go super fast.

In 1969, the race was called the Medal of Honor Firecracker 400. This was to honor brave military heroes who had received the Medal of Honor. Many of these heroes and their families attended the race. This special tribute happened again in 1971 and 1973.

The 1970s: Exciting Finishes

The 1996 Pepsi 400 at Daytona

The 1974 Firecracker 400 had one of the most talked-about finishes ever! David Pearson won his third race in a row. On the last lap, he tricked Richard Petty by slowing down, then used the air draft to zoom past Petty right at the finish line. In the same race, Buddy Baker and Cale Yarborough finished in an exact tie for third place, which is super rare in NASCAR!

In 1975, after many tries, Richard Petty finally won the Daytona July race. He won again in 1977, in a race that was delayed by rain. In 1978, David Pearson got his fifth win at Daytona, making him the driver with the most wins at the track at that time.

The Pepsi Years: 1980–1997

In 1985, PepsiCo became the first main sponsor, and the race was called the Pepsi Firecracker 400. Later, in 1989, it was shortened to just the Pepsi 400, a name it kept until 2007.

From 1959 to 1987, the race was always held on July 4th. But starting in 1988, it moved to the first Saturday in July. This meant it would only be on July 4th if that day happened to be a Saturday.

On July 4, 1987, special parts called carburetors were used to make the cars go a bit slower after a big crash at another track. On the last lap, Ken Schrader's car flipped upside down as he crossed the finish line. This was the last race at Daytona without special engine parts called restrictor plates, which help limit speeds for safety.

For many years, the race started in the morning (around 10 or 11 AM). This helped avoid the hot summer heat and afternoon thunderstorms in Florida. It also gave fans time to go to the nearby beaches after the race. TV channels even called it "Breakfast at Daytona." The 1997 race was the last one to start in the morning.

Night Racing Begins: 1998–2019

In 1997, Daytona International Speedway announced they would install huge lights! The plan was for the 1998 Pepsi 400 to be held at night, under the lights, for a bigger TV audience and more comfortable conditions for fans. It would be the longest track to host a night race.

However, the 1998 race had to be postponed. Huge wildfires were burning in Florida, and the track was used to help firefighters. The race was finally held on October 17, 1998, and it was the first time it ran under the lights! From 1999 onwards, it returned to its usual July 4th weekend slot as a night race.

In 2008, the long partnership with Pepsi ended, and Coca-Cola became the new sponsor. The race was then called the Coke Zero 400.

The logo used for the 2018-2020 races.

Recent Years: Since 2020

In 2020, the Coke Zero 400 moved from its traditional July 4th weekend to late August. It now serves as the very last race of the NASCAR "regular season" before the exciting NASCAR playoffs begin. It's still held as a night race.

Presidential Visits

Fireworks display after the 2018 Coke Zero Sugar 400

Because the race is so close to Independence Day, two U.S. Presidents have visited!

On July 4, 1984, President Ronald Reagan became the first sitting U.S. President to attend a NASCAR race. He even gave the command to start the race over the phone from Air Force One! He watched the race and met with Richard Petty after Petty won his amazing 200th (and final) NASCAR race.

On July 4, 1992, President George H. W. Bush also attended the race. He was there to honor Richard Petty during his farewell tour. Bush even rode around the track in the pace car before the race!

In 2000, George W. Bush, who was governor of Texas at the time and would later become president, attended the race while campaigning. He also gave the starting command.

First Wins for Drivers

The Coke Zero Sugar 400 has been the place where many drivers earned their very first NASCAR Cup Series victory! Some of these drivers include A. J. Foyt, Sam McQuagg, Greg Sacks, Jimmy Spencer, John Andretti, Greg Biffle, David Ragan, Aric Almirola, Erik Jones, Justin Haley, and William Byron. For McQuagg, Sacks, and Haley, this was their only win in the Cup Series!

Other famous drivers like Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. also got their first Daytona wins in this race.

Past winners

• 2008, 2010–2011, 2013, 2015–2018, 2020–2021, & 2023: Races went longer than planned due to NASCAR overtime.
• 1996, 2014, & 2019: Races were shortened because of rain.
• 1998: Race was moved to October 17 due to Florida wildfires.
• 2004–2005 & 2010: Races were delayed by rain and finished after midnight.
• 2014, 2019, & 2022: Race was moved from Saturday night to Sunday because of rain.
• 2015: Race was moved to Sunday by the TV network, then delayed by rain, and finished after midnight on Monday.

Drivers with Multiple Wins

1996 Pepsi 400

Teams with Multiple Wins

Manufacturer Wins

Exciting Race Moments

1963 Race

The Firecracker race became 400 miles long in 1963. Fireball Roberts won in a very close race with many lead changes. He passed Fred Lorenzen on the very last lap!

1964 Race

In 1964, Richard Petty led most of the race but had engine trouble. Then, A. J. Foyt, who was also an Indianapolis champion, battled his teammate Bobby Isaac for the lead. Foyt won on the final lap!

1974 Race: A Legendary Finish

This race is famous for one of the most daring finishes ever! David Pearson was battling Richard Petty. On the last lap, Pearson slowed down to let Petty get ahead, then used the draft to slingshot past him for the win. It was a wild finish! Also, Buddy Baker and Cale Yarborough finished in an exact tie for third place, which is super rare in NASCAR.

1984 Race: Petty's 200th Win

Richard Petty won his amazing 200th (and final) NASCAR race in front of President Ronald Reagan! Petty passed Cale Yarborough right at the end of the race to make history.

1985 Race: A Big Surprise

Greg Sacks won his first and only NASCAR Cup Series race in a huge upset! Bill Elliott was expected to win, leading many laps. But Elliott had car problems, and Sacks, driving a car with no sponsor and a temporary pit crew, took the victory. It was a truly unexpected win!

1990 Race: Earnhardt's First Daytona Win

Dale Earnhardt finally won his first Cup Series race at Daytona! Early in the race, there was a huge crash involving about 20 cars, but Earnhardt managed to avoid it and then dominated the rest of the race.

1994 Race: Last-Lap Pass

Jimmy Spencer won his first Cup Series race by leading only the final lap! He waited until the very end to make his move, passing Ernie Irvan right at the finish line in a thrilling battle.

1998 Race: First Night Race

Jeff Gordon won the first-ever night race at Daytona, which was postponed from July to October due to wildfires. Firefighters and first responders were honored before the race.

2001 Race: An Emotional Win

Dale Earnhardt Jr. won this race, which was the first at Daytona since his father, Dale Earnhardt Sr., passed away at the Daytona 500 earlier that year. It was a very emotional victory for Dale Jr. and his team.

2005 Race: Tony Stewart's First Win and Climb

Cars race by the "DAYTONA" letters during the 2005 Pepsi 400.

Rain delayed the start of this race until late at night. Tony Stewart won his first points-paying race at Daytona. After winning, he famously climbed the catch fence to celebrate, a tradition he continued in future wins!

2009 Race: A Controversial Finish

On the final lap, Tony Stewart and Kyle Busch made contact, leading to a big crash for Busch. Stewart won, but he later said he was sad about how he won because he didn't like wrecking another driver.

2010 Race: Many Crashes and a New Record

Kevin Harvick won the 2010 Coke Zero 400.

This race had many crashes and was delayed by rain. Kevin Harvick won, and the lead changed a record 47 times, showing how competitive the race was!

2013 Race: Johnson Sweeps Daytona

Jimmie Johnson won his first Coke Zero 400, leading most of the race. This made him the first driver since 1982 to win both the Daytona 500 and the Coke Zero 400 in the same year! There were also several big crashes during this race.

2015 Race: A Scary Finish

This race was delayed by rain and finished very late at night. Dale Earnhardt Jr. dominated and won. However, the victory was overshadowed by a very scary crash on the last lap where Austin Dillon's car flipped into the catch fence. Luckily, he was okay, but some fans were injured by flying debris.

2018 Race: Overtime Thrills

The 2018 Coke Zero Sugar 400, won by Erik Jones for his first career win

Many top cars were involved in a big crash early in the race. The race went into overtime, and after another crash, Erik Jones won his first career Cup victory in a three-way battle on the final lap.

2020 Race: Playoff Drama

Moved to August, this race became the final one before the NASCAR playoffs. It was very competitive with many lead changes. Two big crashes happened in the final laps, including one that knocked Jimmie Johnson out of the playoffs. William Byron won his first Cup Series race in a thrilling finish.

Statistics

Dale Earnhardt at 1998 Pepsi 400

Consecutive Victories

• 3 wins in a row:
  • David Pearson (1972, 1973, 1974)
• 2 wins in a row:
  • Fireball Roberts (1962, 1963)
  • A. J. Foyt (1964, 1965)
  • Cale Yarborough (1967, 1968)
  • Tony Stewart (2005, 2006)

Coke Zero 400 & Daytona 500 Winners

Many drivers have won both the Coke Zero 400 and the famous Daytona 500 during their careers. The drivers who have won both races are:

• In 1982, Bobby Allison won the Busch Clash, Daytona 500 and Firecracker 400 all in the same year!

See also

• Wawa 250 – Another NASCAR race (Xfinity Series) that happens on the same weekend as the Coke Zero Sugar 400.