Bobby Labonte Named Grand Marshal For The Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Bobby Labonte, who is scheduled to make his 600th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start on Saturday night, will serve as Grand Marshal for the 52nd annual Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race.

Labonte, who is driving the No. 09 car for owner James Finch in Saturday’s 160-lap, 400-mile race, will give the starting command, “Gentlemen start your engines.”

“We’re honored to have a NASCAR champion such as Bobby Labonte serve as Grand Marshal for the Coke Zero 400,” Daytona International Speedway President Robin Braig said. “Making his 600th career start is a special moment and it’s a fitting tribute to have Bobby give the starting command for the mid-summer classic.”

Labonte, who is an original member of the Coca-Cola Racing Family, has captured 21 NASCAR Sprint Cup victories and 26 poles as well as the series’ championship in 2000.

“I’m really humbled that Coca-Cola has asked me to be the Grand Marshal for the Coke Zero 400 this weekend,” Labonte said. “It is already an honor to be a part of the Coca-Cola Racing Family and have been fortunate enough to have done some really cool things with them in my career. This, however, is something pretty special.

“I have never been a Grand Marshal for a Sprint Cup race before. This just adds to the excitement of my 600th start this weekend.  I am just really humbled that Coca-Cola has allowed me this opportunity.”

The 52nd annual Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola will be the final race on the current asphalt of Daytona International Speedway. Following the Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola, the entire 2.5-mile tri-oval will be repaved for only the second time in its history.

For tickets to the Coke Zero 400 Weekend Powered By Coca-Cola, visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or call 1-800-PITSHOP.
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