America 250 Florida and NASCAR Announce “Duel at Daytona” Partnership in Commemoration of America’s Semiquincentennial

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America 250 Florida and NASCAR Announce "Duel at Daytona" Partnership in Commemoration of America's Semiquincentennial

Partnership between FDOT and Daytona International Speedway will promote America's historic birthday and roadway safety with the 'America 250 Florida Duel at DAYTONA' on February 12, 2026<_o3a_p>

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Daytona International Speedway announced today that the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will be proudly sponsoring the America 250 Florida Duel at DAYTONA, an exciting race at the start of Speedweeks that celebrates Florida's rich history in racing as part of the 250^th anniversary of the nation's founding. This partnership will highlight the important role that the Daytona 500 has played in Florida's motor history.

FDOT's sponsorship and ongoing partnership with the Daytona International Speedway aims to encourage safe driving behaviors for Florida's residents and visitors. The America 250 Florida Duel at DAYTONA will take place on Thursday, February 12, where drivers will fight for their starting position in the 68^th running of the DAYTONA 500. Following the America 250 Florida Duel at DAYTONA and other races during Speedweeks leading up to the DAYTONA 500, FDOT will be onsite at the Speedway further educating and promoting safety information and tips to race fans.

"It's an honor to welcome the Florida Department of Transportation as our new sponsor for the America 250 Florida Duel at DAYTONA to help kick off Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth in 2026," said Frank Kelleher, Daytona International Speedway President. "This sponsorship is a commitment to FDOT's continued efforts to help keep Volusia County's roadways safe. As we move forward on the shared journey toward a brighter future in Florida, there's no better place to celebrate the 250^th anniversary of American independence than at The World Center of Racing."

Proudly home to the nation's birthplace of racing, Florida's unique heritage as "the birthplace of speed" and the feats achieved at the Daytona International Speedway will set the stage for a fast-paced, exciting series of races that will engage fans to further celebrate America's 250^th anniversary and Florida's generational impact on automobile racing. From its humble beginnings of breaking records on sandy shorelines with some of the earliest models of automobiles to now drawing millions of visitors from around the world each year with vehicles reaching speeds of over 200 miles per hour, Florida's racing industry has been an exciting feature of the state's identity for nearly 125 years.

"As we celebrate the 250^th anniversary of our nation's founding, the America 250 Florida Duel at DAYTONA is an ideal opportunity to honor Florida's storied history," said Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E. "FDOT is proud to partner with Daytona International Speedway to celebrate the thrill of racing while keeping our focus on safety where it matters most."

"The history of automobile racing in Florida began in 1903 with a line drawn on the Florida sand, and throughout the years, the sport has rapidly grown in the state to make the Daytona 500 the most prestigious race on the NASCAR calendar. Duel at Daytona is an exciting way to commemorate that history for the America250FL initiative which celebrates Florida's role in the 250^th (semiquincentennial) anniversary of our nation's founding." said Secretary of State Cord Byrd, Chair of Florida's Semiquincentennial Commission. "Visit America250FL.com and follow America250FL on X, Facebook, and Instagram to stay informed about ways to commemorate America250FL and our history."

Although the spirit of racing is deeply embedded in Florida's history and identity, it's important to amplify the message that history should be made by the professionals on the racetrack, not by motorists on the state's roadways. As part of FDOT's commitment to ensuring safety across Florida's roadways and reducing the number of transportation-related serious injuries and fatalities through its Target Zero initiative, this partnership with Daytona International Speedway will further encourage motorists to make responsible decisions behind the wheel to keep families, visitors, and race fans safe.

FDOT and its partners at the Daytona International Speedway remind race fans to practice safe driving habits every time they get behind the wheel: always wear a seatbelt, never drive under the influence of alcohol or other impairing substances like marijuana, adhere to posted speed limits, and put away all distractions. Together, with these safe actions in mind, we can get everyone home safely.

For more information on tickets for the 2026 Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth races, including the DAYTONA 500, please visit www.DAYTONA500.com.

About Daytona International Speedway

Daytona International Speedway is a state-of-the-art motorsports facility and was awarded the SportsBusiness Journal's prestigious Sports Business Award for Sports Facility of the Year in 2016. Daytona International Speedway is the home of The Great American Race - the DAYTONA 500. Though the season-opening NASCAR Cup Series event garners most of the attention - as well as the largest audience in motorsports - the approximately 500-acre motorsports complex, also known as the World Center of Racing, boasts the most diverse schedule of racing on the globe. Some of the exciting racing events include January's Rolex 24 At DAYTONA and Roar Before The Rolex 24, February's DAYTONA 500 and Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth, March's Bike Week At DAYTONA featuring DAYTONA Supercross and the DAYTONA 200, the August Coke Zero Sugar 400 weekend, and much more. The Speedway grounds are also used extensively for other events that include concerts such as Welcome to Rockville, sporting events including CLASH DAYTONA, civic and social gatherings, car shows, photo shoots, production vehicle testing and police motorcycle training.      

About NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 14 of the nation's major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Series, NASCAR Canada Series, NASCAR Euro Series, NASCAR Mexico Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in five cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 11 countries and more than 30 U.S. states.

For more information, visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Instagram, YouTube, X, and Facebook.

About the Florida Department of Transportation

The Florida Department of Transportation's mission is to provide a safe statewide transportation system that promotes the efficient movement of people and goods, supports the state's economic competitiveness, prioritizes Florida's environment and natural resources, and preserves the quality of life and connectedness of the state's communities.

About America250FL

America250FL is an invitation to every Floridian to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation's founding. The Florida Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial was established in anticipation of this significant event. This includes highlighting Florida's profound influence on the nation's past, present and future.

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www.fdot.gov | X: @MyFDOT | Facebook: @MyFDOT

^{The Florida Department of Transportation's mission is to provide a safe statewide transportation system that promotes the efficient movement of people and goods, supports the state's economic competitiveness, prioritizes Florida's environment and natural resources, and preserves the quality of life and connectedness of the state's communities.}