Daytona 500, Rolex 24 and Coke Zero Sugar 400 star on racing schedule
The Daytona 500 is not the one massive race hosted in Daytona Seashore, Florida. The Rolex 24 endurance race and Coke Zero Sugar 400 additionally run there.
We’ve all turn out to be acquainted with essentially the most well-known {hardware} in stock-car racing: The Harley J. Earl Trophy, which matches to the winner of the Daytona 500.
Surprisingly, maybe, the automotive atop the trophy isn’t “inventory” in any method, however a futuristic automobile generally known as the GM Firebird 1. It was considered one of many works (together with the Corvette) produced by trophy namesake Harley Earl, the long-ago Basic Motors designer and shut affiliate of NASCAR founder Invoice France Sr.
Properly, it’s not simply the trophy on the town this week forward of the Daytona 500, however the precise Firebird 1, considered one of a number of prototypes designed by Earl’s GM group within the early Fifties.
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By way of Thursday, the automotive shall be on show within the museum that homes the Motorsports Corridor of Fame of America, contained in the Speedway’s Ticket & Excursions constructing, simply outdoors Flip 4 of the monitor.
Guests who take each day Speedway excursions can go to the museum as a part of the tour. You too can go to the museum with out taking the tour. Admission in $13, however discounted to $8 for Daytona 500 ticket holders. Museum hours are 9 a.m. to five p.m., daily.
Friday, the automotive shall be moved to the Chevrolet show constructing, alongside Victory Lane contained in the Speedway.
GM and Earl designed a collection of Firebird prototypes within the Fifties, not as potential passenger vehicles, however mainly to point out off their engineering know-how and usher in a brand new period of car expertise. The primary, the Firebird 1, for all intents and functions was a fighter jet on wheels.
The fiberglass physique was powered by a 370 horsepower fuel turbine engine.
Based on Speedway lore, Earl introduced France a small reproduction of the Firebird 1 within the mid-Fifties, and by decade’s finish, Massive Invoice had it copied and mounted atop the perpetual Daytona 500 trophy. Smaller, reproduction trophies grew to become normal concern to Daytona 500 winners starting in 1998.
Although only a reproduction, the trophy nonetheless weighs 54 kilos.
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https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/sports activities/nascar/2024/02/13/daytona-500-trophy-car-in-town-harley-earls-creation-has-a-history/72581647007/
