DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Abby Wambach, Kelley O’Hara and Christie Rampone will represent the U. S. Women’s National Soccer Team as the Honorary Starters of the 57th annual DAYTONA 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, Feb. 22 at 1 p.m.at Daytona International Speedway (TV – FOX, FOX Deportes; Radio – MRN Radio, SiriusXM).
In addition to serving as the Honorary Starters for the 200-lap, 500-mile race that kicks off the new NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, the trio will also be introduced at the driver’s meeting and participate in pre-race ceremonies.
“We’re honored to welcome three members of the U.S. Women’s National Team as Honorary Starters for the DAYTONA 500,” Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III said. “We’re looking forward to having these phenomenal athletes wave the green flag on both ‘The Great American Race’ as well as the new NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.”
Beginning June 6, the U.S. WNT will be participating in the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada (TV – FOX). The U.S. team, which is ranked second in the world in the most recent FIFA Women’s World Rankings, is a superpower in women’s soccer having won four Olympic Gold Medals and two FIFA Women’s World Cups. For more about the WNT, please visit ussoccer.com/womens-national-team.
Past DAYTONA 500 Honorary Starters include actor and humanitarian Gary Sinise, NASCAR Hall of Famers Bobby Allison and Richard Petty, NFL legend Ray Lewis and comedian Whoopi Goldberg.
Tickets for the 57th annual DAYTONA 500 and all Budweiser Speedweeks 2015 events are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 1-800-PITSHOP or visiting www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com
Fans can follow NASCAR on Twitter and stay up to speed on the latest news by using hashtag #DAYTONA500 and #SPEEDWEEKS. Fans can also stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest for the latest news all season long. Fans can follow the latest on DAYTONA Rising, the $400 million frontstretch renovation at the “World Center of Racing” by using #DAYTONARising on Twitter or visiting www.daytonarising.com.
