Busch drivers to provide July 4 fireworks

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- For many years, July 4 meant the Firecracker 400 at Daytona International Speedway. The Winston Cup race was held in the morning, sort of a kickoff to the holiday's celebrations.

But that changed a few years ago. Now, the race is called the Pepsi 400, and it's run on the Saturday night near the Fourth of July.

So much for a Fourth of July race.

But wait, there is a July 4 race this weekend. It's not Winston Cup, but it could be the next best thing.

	Jamie McMurray ran a special U.S. Postal Service paint scheme in 2002. Credit: Autostock

The NASCAR Busch Series will race on Independence Day, staging the Winn-Dixie 300 on Friday night. Sure, it's by sheer coincidence that the race was scheduled that day, but the race is a big deal to Busch Series competitors.

"Daytona is such a mystical place," Jason Keller said. "It is so cool to be part of this race on a holiday when patriotism is at such a high in this country. The cars look so fast racing at night, and the fans get to watch side-by-side racing for 100 laps.

"It just doesn't get any better than that for anyone. The only way it could be better is if it is my Albertsons Ford and my team shooting off fireworks in victory lane."

Of course, Keller isn't the only one who wants to win at Daytona.

"For race car drivers, racing at Daytona is like the pinnacle of the sport," Todd Bodine said. "There is such a great atmosphere, and racing under the lights only adds to that atmosphere. Everyone wants to be able to say that they've won at Daytona. I had one of my best finishes ever there in February when I finished sixth, but it would be nice to visit Daytona's victory lane with the ESGR Chevy."

	Eventual winner Joe Nemechek makes a pit stop. Credit: Autostock

The Busch Series first ran at Daytona during the summer last year, when Joe Nemechek visited victory lane. It has already become one of the series' top races. First, because it's Daytona. Second, because it's at night.

"I'm looking forward to running this race at night," Scott Wimmer said. "Racing at Daytona is always prestigious, but this is the only time we have superspeedway racing at night, which makes it even more special. I know it is exciting for the teams, and I can only imagine what the fans experience. It has got to be very cool to watch it from the stands."

That's because restrictor plates and aerodynamic packages bunch the cars close together around Daytona's 2.5-mile high-banked track. The draft makes for an interesting race to watch, as often you don't know who is going to go where.

Of course, the tight packs also make for a bit of a dangerous race, as The Big One can happen at any time.

	Todd and Ashlyn Bodine

"Survival is the name of the game at Daytona," Wimmer said. "Obviously, you need a car that is superior aerodynamically and has horsepower, but bottom line, you won't win if you don't survive first. Everyone knows superspeedway races bring out the big wrecks more often than not, so you have to miss that to be a factor at the end."

Nemechek has to be one of the favorites for Friday's race, as he's won four straight Busch Series poles at Daytona in addition to being the defending race champion.

And, of course, you can't forget about Dale Earnhardt Jr., who won the season-opening Koolerz 300 this season and last.

Whoever wins the race will undoubtedly have to be good at handling the draft.

"It falls more into the driver's hand, not so much the car's capability," Mike Wallace said. "You've got to have patience. Ultimately, handing is the factor that is taken out of the equation at Daytona. Everyone's car handles good. Superspeedway races are kind of like a chess match. You've got to know when to go and when not to go, and when to be patient and when to be aggressive."