For the race known as the Pepsi 400 held at Michigan International Speedway from 1998-2002, see GFS Marketplace 400

The Pepsi 400 is a 160 lap/400 mile (approx. 640 km) NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series stock car race held on the first Saturday night of July, usually around Independence Day weekend, at Daytona International Speedway. Following the 2007 running, Pepsi will no longer be the corporate sponsor of the race. The GFS Marketplace 400 is a NASCAR Nextel Cup stock car race held at the Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan. ... The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the largest sanctioning body of motorsports in the United States. ... The NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series is NASCARs top racing series. ... This article is about the sport of stock car racing. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... In the United States, Independence Day (commonly known as the Fourth of July or July Fourth) is a federal holiday celebrating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from Great Britain. ... Daytona International Speedway is a superspeedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. ...

The Pepsi 400 has a storied and unique history, known for 25 years as the Firecracker 400.

The Pepsi 400 is the only restrictor plate race run "under the lights" at night. A unique lighting system implementing parabolic reflectors is used to eliminate glare in driver's eyes. Artist rendering of a NASCAR restrictor plate A Restrictor plate or air restrictor is a device installed at the intake of an engine to limit its power. ...

History

This 160-lap race was developed to make a second major Cup-level racing event for Daytona which would not detract from the legendary status of the Daytona 500. From 1963 to 1988, this race was known as the Firecracker 400; prior to that, it was the Firecracker 250 (100 laps, 250 miles). The Daytona 500 is a 200-lap, 500 mile (805 km) NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. ...

In 1959, the race was originally scheduled to be a USAC Championship (Indy) Car event. However, after a crash-filled event in April, open wheel racing on the oval was permanently canceled. NASCAR quickly stepped in and replaced the schedule with a stock car race. ... “CART” redirects here. ...

From 1959 to 1987, the race was always scheduled for July 4, regardless of the day of the week. Beginning in 1988, the race was moved to the first Saturday of July (that nearest July 4). In 1998, wildfires in Florida postponed the race, and it was held in October. Before it became a night race in 1998, the race normally started in the morning (10:00 AM or 11:00 AM) to avoid hot temperatures and the frequent mid-afternoon thunderstorms.

In 1984, President Ronald Reagan became the first sitting U.S. President to attend a NASCAR race. The President gave the command to start the race ("Gentlemen, start your engines") by phone from aboard Air Force One. Landing at Daytona, the President proceeded to the track, and viewed the race with Bill France Jr.. During his time at the race, Reagan was interviewed by NASCAR driver Ned Jarrett, who in 1978 had begun a career as a radio race broadcaster. The 1984 Firecracker 400 is also legendary since it was the race at which Richard Petty achieved his unparalleled 200th win. Petty and President Reagan were interviewed together following the race, and the President joined Richard Petty and his family in Victory Lane. Year 1984 (MCMLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar). ... Ronald Wilson Reagan (February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004) was the 40th President of the United States (1981 – 1989) and the 33rd Governor of California (1967 – 1975). ... The presidential seal is a well-known symbol of the presidency. ... For other uses, see Air Force One (disambiguation). ... William Clay France, Jr. ... Ned Jarrett (born October 12, 1932 in Newton, North Carolina) was a two-time NASCAR champion. ... Richard Lee Petty (born July 2, 1937) is an American former NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver. ...

The race, between 2001-2006, was shared between NBC and FOX (NBC odd years, FOX even years). With the new television agreement, TNT has the race until 2014.

The 2007 Pepsi 400 will also be the last restrictor plate race using the current car. At the second 2007 race at Talladega Superspeedway, and in 2008, the CoT will be used in all races. Artist rendering of a NASCAR restrictor plate A Restrictor plate or air restrictor is a device installed at the intake of an engine to limit its power. ... Talladega Superspeedway is a motorsports complex located in Talladega, AL. It was constructed in the 1960s in place of abandoned airport runways by International Speedway Corporation, a business controlled by NASCARs founding France family along with Daytona International Speedway and several other racetracks. ...

Past winners

• 2006: Tony Stewart
  

  

  Cars race by the "DAYTONA" letters during the 2005 Pepsi 400.
• 2005: Tony Stewart
• 2004: Jeff Gordon
• 2003: Greg Biffle
• 2002: Michael Waltrip
• 2001: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
• 2000: Jeff Burton
• 1999: Dale Jarrett
• 1998: Jeff Gordon (race changed to a night race; postponed until October due to wildfires)
• 1997: John Andretti
• 1996: Sterling Marlin (117 laps / 292.5 miles due to rain)
• 1995: Jeff Gordon
• 1994: Jimmy Spencer
• 1993: Dale Earnhardt
• 1992: Ernie Irvan
• 1991: Bill Elliott
• 1990: Dale Earnhardt
• 1989: Davey Allison
• 1988: Bill Elliott
• 1987: Bobby Allison
• 1986: Tim Richmond
• 1985: Greg Sacks
• 1984: Richard Petty (his 200th and final career win)
  

  Richard Petty's car used for his 1979 Daytona 500 win, on display at Daytona USA in January 2001
• 1983: Buddy Baker
• 1982: Bobby Allison
• 1981: Cale Yarborough
• 1980: Bobby Allison
• 1979: Neil Bonnett
• 1978: David Pearson
• 1977: Richard Petty
• 1976: Cale Yarborough
• 1975: Richard Petty
• 1974: David Pearson
• 1973: David Pearson
• 1972: David Pearson
• 1971: Bobby Isaac
• 1970: Donnie Allison
• 1969: LeeRoy Yarbrough
• 1968: Cale Yarborough
• 1967: Cale Yarborough
• 1966: Sam McQuagg
• 1965: A.J. Foyt
• 1964: A.J. Foyt
• 1963: Fireball Roberts (race changed to a 400-mile event)
• 1962: Fireball Roberts
• 1961: David Pearson
• 1960: Jack Smith
• 1959: Fireball Roberts

Anthony Wayne Tony Stewart (born May 20, 1971) is an auto racing driver who has won championships in sprint cars, Indy cars, and stock cars. ... Image File history File links Pepsi-400-2005-Raceby. ... Image File history File links Pepsi-400-2005-Raceby. ... Anthony Wayne Tony Stewart (born May 20, 1971) is an auto racing driver who has won championships in sprint cars, Indy cars, and stock cars. ... Jeffery Michael Gordon (born August 4, 1971) is an American race car driver. ... Gregory Jack Biffle (born December 23, 1969 in Vancouver, Washington) is a NASCAR Nextel Cup driver. ... Michael Curtis Waltrip (born April 30, 1963 in Owensboro, Kentucky) is a professional race car driver and owner of Michael Waltrip Racing. ... Dale Earnhardt Jr. ... Jeffery Brian Burton (born June 29, 1967 in South Boston, Virginia) also sometimes referred to as JB is a NASCAR Nextel Cup Series driver. ... Dale Arnold Jarrett (born November 26, 1956 in Newton, North Carolina) is an American race car driver. ... Jeffery Michael Gordon (born August 4, 1971) is an American race car driver. ... John Andretti talks with a U.S. Navy journalist, courtesy of the U.S. Navy John Andretti is a NASCAR Busch Series driver from Indianapolis, Indiana. ... Sterling Marlin (born June 30, 1957 in Columbia, Tennessee) is a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series driver who currently drives the #14 Waste Management Chevrolet Monte Carlo for Ginn Racing. ... Jimmy Spencer Jimmy Spencer (born February 15, 1957 in Berwick, Pennsylvania) is an American NASCAR driver and commentator. ... This article is about the elder Dale Earnhardt. ... Ernie Irvan (born January 13, 1959 in Salinas, California) is a former race car driver in NASCAR. Wife: Kim Baker Irvan Married: November 21, 1992 Children: Jordan (August 12, 1993), Jared (February 9, 1998) Parents: Vic & Jo Irvan Career highlights 15 career NASCAR Winston Cup victories 22 career NASCAR Winston... Bill Elliott car that set the record for the fastest recorded time in a stock car - 212. ... David Carl Davey Allison (February 25, 1961 - July 13, 1993) was a NASCAR race car driver, best known as the driver of the Robert Yates Racing #28 Texaco-Havoline Ford. ... Bobby Allison (born December 3, 1937) was one of the first NASCAR drivers and was named one of NASCARs 50 greatest drivers. ... Tim Richmond (June 7, 1955 - August 13, 1989) was an American NASCAR race car driver. ... Greg Sacks(born November 3, 1952, in Mattiuck, New York, is a NASCAR Nextel Cup Series driver. ... Richard Lee Petty (born July 2, 1937) is an American former NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (995x400, 201 KB) Summary I took this pic myself. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (995x400, 201 KB) Summary I took this pic myself. ... Elzie Wylie Buddy Baker, Jr. ... William Caleb Cale Yarborough (born March 27, 1939 in Timmonsville, South Carolina, near the Famous Darlington Raceway), is a former NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver and was one of the series engaging personalities. ... Neil Bonnett (July 30, 1946 - February 11, 1994) was a NASCAR driver who compiled 18 victories and 20 poles over his 18-year career. ... David Pearson (born December 22, 1934 in Whitney, South Carolina) is a former American NASCAR racecar champion. ... Bobby Isaac (born August 1, 1932 or 1934, the exact year is disputed - died August 14, 1977) is a former NASCAR Grand National (now Nextel Cup) Series champion. ... Donnie Allison is a former driver on the NASCAR Winston Cup circuit, who won ten times during his racing career, which spanned the 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s. ... LeeRoy Yarbrough (born September 17, 1938 in Jacksonville, Florida, died December 7, 1984) was a NASCAR auto driver. ... Sam McQuagg is a former NASCAR driver. ... A. J. Foyt (born January 16, 1935) is considered by many as the greatest race car driver of all time. ... A. J. Foyt (born January 16, 1935) is considered by many as the greatest race car driver of all time. ... Edward Glenn Fireball Roberts, Jr. ... Jack Smith and Curtis Turner at Daytona Beach in 1952, courtesy Florida Photographic Collection Jack Smith(born May 24, 1924 died October 17, 2001), is a former NASCAR driver. ...

See also

• List of current NASCAR races

The following is a list of current (as of 2007) NASCAR races from the Nextel Cup, Busch Series, and Craftsman Truck Series, along with their venues. ...