Toyota becomes fourth car manufacturer to pace a race at Daytona since 2010
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The 2012 Toyota Camry will serve as the official pace car for the 54th running of the Daytona 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, Feb. 26 – the first time that the manufacturer has served as the pace car for a NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Daytona International Speedway and the fourth different manufacturer to have pace a race at the “World Center of Racing” since 2010.
“Toyota has a successful track record of manufacturing in the United States and they have built upon that success in NASCAR’s top three national series,” Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III said. “The 2012 Camry is a sharp, sleek vehicle and it will look great at the head of the field in the 54th running of the Daytona 500. We’re proud to have the 2012 Camry, built by great American workers, pace the ‘Great American Race.’ ”
“We’re thrilled to be able to feature the new Camry in Daytona at the season’s biggest race,” said Ed Laukes, TMS corporate manager of motorsports marketing. “We think the Daytona 500 is the perfect place to showcase the all-new Camry – which will go on sale this fall. We knew when the opportunity arose to partner together with Daytona that it would be an extraordinary way to highlight our new Camry, as well as reinforce Toyota’s commitment to NASCAR and its fans.”
The Camry went on sale in 1983 and since then more than nine million Camrys have been sold in the U.S. Toyota began manufacturing the Camry in Georgetown, Ky., in 1986 and the vehicle is now also built in Lafayette, Ind.
The 2012 Camry debuts a bold, sophisticated new design with a more spacious interior, improved driving dynamics and an even quieter ride than before. The new model features class leading safety, fuel economy and multi-media technology.
Tickets for the 54th annual Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 26 as well as other Speedweeks 2012 events can be purchased online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP
New for the 2012 Daytona 500 is special youth pricing. Children 12 and under will receive 50 percent off all Superstretch grandstand seats for the Daytona 500. The special offer expires Feb. 1.
Fans can stay connected with Daytona International Speedway’s social media channels on Twitter (www.twitter.com/disupdates) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/DaytonaInternationalSpeedway).
