Pre-race activities includes shuttle launch

Space Shuttle Launch Adding to Pre-Pepsi 400 Activities

Late-afternoon Discovery launch a lead-in to midsummer NASCAR NEXTEL Cup event

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (June 30, 2006) -- The skies over Central Florida will be nearly as busy as the 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway tri-oval on Saturday.

Earlier this week, speedway officials were calling it a "2-for-1 fly-over special" because of the scheduled 3:49 p.m. launch of Space Shuttle Discovery prefacing the evening fly-over of four Air Force F-16s prior to the Pepsi 400.

Make that a "3-for-1."

In recent days it has been announced that Air Force 2 will be descending over the speedway, carrying Vice President Dick Cheney, who will attend the Pepsi 400.

The shuttle will be launched from Cape Canaveral -- 75 miles south of Daytona Beach -- and as it takes flight, should be clearly visible to fans gathered.

"This is a real treat," said speedway President Robin Braig, "to have the launch the same day as the Pepsi 400, on the July 4 weekend."

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