Daytona 500 flags headed to space

By SceneDaily Staff Report
Thursday, November 29, 2007
$util.encode.html($content.photo.alt)

JOE RAEDLE / GETTY IMAGES

Three Daytona 500 green flags will be launched on the space shuttle Atlantis next week as part of the race's 50th anniversary celebration, as well as NASA's 50th anniversary, the Orlando Sentinel reported Thursday.

The newspaper said NASA came up with the idea to link the two anniversaries earlier this year, and the space agency and Daytona International Speedway are trying to arrange promotional events with astronauts and drivers.

A joint NASCAR driver/Atlantis crew news conference is possible during the shuttle's 11-day mission next month. Atlantis is scheduled to lift off form Cape Canaveral next Friday.

The paper said NASA usually sets aside a small amount of space on every shuttle for commemorative items. The three 500 flags had to be measured and weighed carefully, the Sentinel said.

One of the flags will be awarded to the winner of the 2008 Daytona 500, a second will be displayed in the Daytona 500 Experience and the third will stay with NASA.

NASA was formed in October 1958 from the old National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics and other government agencies. The first Daytona 500 was held Feb. 22, 1959.

Post a Comment

Disclaimer: All comments are subject to filtering for language, and libelous content. Comments are intended to encourage spirited debate and discussion about the subject matter contained within the articles and ARE NOT intended for personal or demeaning attacks directed at other users. We reserve the right to remove any comments deemed inappropriate. Users who violate this policy may be banned from posting comments on the site.

Comment Preview

Nov 8, 2009 at 3:11 PM
You said:

You must login before you can post comments or rate content.

If you don't have an account you can create a free one here.

2009 Sprint Cup Race for the Chase Standings

Driver Standings after the AMP Energy 500

1 Jimmie Johnson 6248
2 Mark Martin -184
3 Jeff Gordon -192
4 Juan Pablo Montoya -239
5 Tony Stewart -279
6 Kurt Busch -312
7 Greg Biffle -340
8 Ryan Newman -402
9 Kasey Kahne -414
10 Carl Edwards -437
11 Denny Hamlin -448
12 Brian Vickers -556

More by this Author

NASCAR Schedules

abc

Dickies 500

Texas Motor Speedway
03:31 PM, 11/08/2009

Poll PositionView All

Which NASCAR Sprint Cup race winner from the past two seasons is most likely to earn his first victory of 2009 in the next three races?

Promotions

  • Play "WIX Filters' Pick 3" stock car fantasy and win prizes. Season 2 is now in session!

  • Tweet your thoughts about each race and join the conversation with other fans.

  • Drive an authentic NASCAR Sprint Cup car at the NASCAR Racing Experience.

  • Cast your vote for the NASCAR Illustrated 2009 Person of the Year, presented by Old Spice.

  • Make weekly pics for the Chase and be entered to win weekly SPEED Merchandise.

NASCAR Community Join the Community

In the Forums View All

Presented by

Don't have an account yet?

Insiders Guide to NASCAR

Register with SceneDaily.com and get access to the following features:

  • FREE Insider’s Guide to NASCAR (available as a PDF download)
  • Daily NASCAR news updates delivered directly to your e-mail
  • Pre-race and Post-race emails delivered each race week
  • Ability to comment on blog and news articles
  • Information on new website features and upcoming contests
Create my Account

Login

Forgot Password?
Login or Create an Account