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 (10)
Most wins (manufacturer)	Ford (22)
Circuit information
Surface	Asphalt
Length	2.5 mi (4.0 km)
Turns	4

The Coke Zero Sugar 400 is a famous NASCAR Cup Series stock car race held every year at Daytona International Speedway. The race started in 1959 and is 160 laps long, which is 400-mile (640 km). It's one of two major NASCAR races at Daytona, with the other being the famous Daytona 500.

For a long time, this race was held around the Fourth of July. In 1998, it became the first race at Daytona to be held at night under bright lights. In 2020, the race was moved to late August. It is known for its excitingly close finishes and big firework shows after the race.

The race has had many sponsors over the years. From 1985 to 2007, it was sponsored by PepsiCo and was called the Pepsi 400. Since 2008, The Coca-Cola Company has been the sponsor, naming the race after its Coca-Cola Zero Sugar drink.

The most recent winner of the race is Harrison Burton.

History of the Race

The Early Years (1959–1969)

The first race was held on July 4, 1959. It was called the Firecracker 250 because it was on Independence Day, a holiday known for fireworks. The race was 250 miles long. A driver from Daytona Beach named Fireball Roberts won the very first race.

The race quickly became popular. By 1963, it was expanded to 400 miles and renamed the Firecracker 400. That year, Fireball Roberts won again. Over the next few years, famous drivers like A. J. Foyt and Cale Yarborough also won the race.

In 1966, a driver named Sam McQuagg won using a new invention on his car: a rear 'spoiler'. A spoiler is a wing on the back of the car that helps it go faster and stick to the track better.

In 1969, the track invited all living Medal of Honor recipients to the race. The race was called the Medal of Honor Firecracker 400 to honor these American heroes. This special event also happened in 1971 and 1973.

Exciting Finishes in the 1970s

The 1996 Pepsi 400 at Daytona

The 1970s saw some of the most thrilling moments in the race's history. In 1974, David Pearson and Richard Petty had an amazing battle for the win. On the last lap, Pearson used a clever move called the "slingshot" to pass Petty right at the end. That same race had the only tie in NASCAR history, when two drivers finished in third place at the exact same time.

Pearson won the race three years in a row (1972-1974). In 1975, Richard Petty, who had won the Daytona 500 five times, finally won the July race after trying for 17 years.

In 1977, the race was delayed by rain for the first time. That year was also special because three female drivers competed: Lella Lombardi, Christine Beckers, and Janet Guthrie.

Big Changes (1980–1997)

In 1985, PepsiCo became the first big sponsor, and the race was called the Pepsi Firecracker 400. A few years later, the "Firecracker" name was dropped, and it became the Pepsi 400.

For many years, the race was always held on July 4. But in 1988, it was moved to the first Saturday in July. This meant the race would only be on the actual holiday if July 4 fell on a Saturday.

Until 1997, the race was always held during the day. This was done to avoid Florida's afternoon thunderstorms and let fans go to the beach after the race. It was a fun summer tradition for many families.

Racing Under the Lights (1998–2019)

2008 Coke Zero 400

In 1998, a huge change happened. Daytona International Speedway installed giant lights, allowing the race to be held at night for the first time. This made it more comfortable for fans in the summer heat and let more people watch on TV at night.

The first night race was supposed to be on July 4, 1998, but it was postponed until October because of wildfires in Florida. Since 1999, the race has been a regular night event on the July 4th weekend.

In 2008, The Coca-Cola Company took over as the sponsor, and the race was renamed the Coke Zero 400.

A New Spot on the Calendar (Since 2020)

The logo used for the 2018-2020 races.

In 2020, the race was moved from its July weekend date to late August. For a few years, it became the final race of the NASCAR regular season, which made it very important for drivers trying to get into the NASCAR playoffs.

This change was made to help spread out tourism in Daytona Beach over the summer. The race on the July 4th weekend is now held at a different track.

Presidential Visits

Fireworks display after the 2018 Coke Zero Sugar 400

Because the race was linked to Independence Day for so long, it has been visited by U.S. Presidents.

• 1984: President Ronald Reagan was the first sitting president to attend a NASCAR race. He gave the command to start the engines from his airplane, Air Force One. This was also the race where Richard Petty won his 200th and final race. President Reagan celebrated with Petty in Victory Lane.

• 1992: President George H. W. Bush attended the race to honor Richard Petty, who was in his final year of racing. The president gave the starting command and rode in the pace car.

• 2000: George W. Bush, who was running for president at the time, also attended the race and gave the starting command.

First-Time Winners

This race has been the place where many drivers have won their very first NASCAR Cup Series race. Some of these drivers include:

• A. J. Foyt (1964)
• Greg Biffle (2003)
• David Ragan (2011)
• Aric Almirola (2014)
• Erik Jones (2018)
• Justin Haley (2019)
• William Byron (2020)
• Harrison Burton (2024)

For some drivers, like Sam McQuagg and Greg Sacks, it was the only Cup Series race they ever won, making it a very special memory in their careers.

Famous Race Finishes

1974: The Ultimate Strategy

David Pearson and Richard Petty were battling for the lead. Pearson knew Petty would try to use the draft to pass him on the last lap. So, Pearson slowed down on purpose, forcing Petty to take the lead. Pearson then used Petty's draft to "slingshot" past him for the win. It is remembered as one of the smartest moves in NASCAR history.

1984: Petty's 200th Win

In a race attended by President Ronald Reagan, Richard Petty battled Cale Yarborough to the finish line. A crash happened on the last lap, and the race ended under a yellow caution flag. Petty was in the lead at that moment and captured his historic 200th career victory.

2001: An Emotional Victory

Dale Earnhardt Jr. dominated the race just months after his father, the legendary Dale Earnhardt, had passed away at the same track. Earnhardt Jr. won the race, and his team celebrated an emotional victory in honor of his dad.

2013: A Daytona Sweep

Jimmie Johnson won the Coke Zero 400 after also winning the Daytona 500 earlier that year. He became the first driver to win both Daytona races in the same year since Bobby Allison did it in 1982.

2015: A Wild Finish

Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the race, but a huge crash happened as the cars crossed the finish line. Austin Dillon's car went airborne and flew into the catch fence. Thankfully, Dillon was not seriously hurt, and the safety features of the cars and track did their job.

Past Winners

• Notes:
• Overtime: Many races were extended past their scheduled laps because of a late-race caution. This is called NASCAR overtime.
• Shortened: Some races were stopped early because of rain.
• Postponed: Some races were moved to a different day because of weather or other events.

Multiple winners (drivers)

1996 Pepsi 400

Multiple winners (teams)

Manufacturer wins

Images for kids

• 

  Dale Earnhardt at the 1998 Pepsi 400.

• 

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

• 

  Kevin Harvick won the 2010 Coke Zero 400.

• 

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

See also

In Spanish: 400 Millas de Daytona para niños

• Wawa 250 – A NASCAR Xfinity Series race that takes place during the same weekend of the Coke Zero Sugar 400
• WeatherTech 240  – A Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series race that took place on the same day as the Coke Zero Sugar 400