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Firecracker 400

Coke Zero 400
Powered By Coca-Cola
Images Coke 400 Logo B.jpg
Daytona International Speedway.svg
Venue Daytona International Speedway
Location Daytona Beach, Florida, United States
Corporate sponsor Coca-Cola Zero
The Coca-Cola Company
First race 1959 (1959)
Distance 400 miles (640 km)
Laps 160 (Stage 1: 40
Stage 2: 40
Stage 3: 80)
Previous names Firecracker 250 (1959–1962)
Firecracker 400 (1963–1968, 1970, 1972, 1974–1984, 1986)
Medal of Honor Firecracker 400 (1969, 1971, 1973)
Pepsi Firecracker 400 (1985, 1987–1988)
Pepsi 400 (1989–2007)
Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola (2008–present)
Most wins (driver) David Pearson (5)
Most wins (team) Wood Brothers Racing (9)
Most wins (manufacturer) Chevrolet
Ford (18)
Surface Asphalt
Length 2.5 mi (4.0 km)
Turns 4

The Coke Zero 400 powered by Coca-Cola is an annual Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series at Daytona International Speedway. First held in 1959, the event consists of 160 laps, 400-mile (640 km), and is the second of two major stock car events held at Daytona on the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series circuit, the other being the Daytona 500. Since its inception, it has been traditionally held on or around United States' Independence Day. Since 1988, the race has been scheduled for the first Saturday of July closest to July 4. In 1998, it became the first restrictor plate and Daytona race to be held at night.

A ten-year contract, starting in 2008, between Atlanta-based Coca-Cola and International Speedway Corporation (ISC), made Coke the official soft drink, official sparkling beverage and official water for ten of ISC's operated motorsports facilities and the Daytona 500. The company replaced Pepsi-Cola, a 19-year race sponsorship, to showcase Coke Zero as the race's title brand through 2018.

The event is recently known for its close finishes, posting a (.154 ds) margin of victory in its last 21 races including the T-4th closest margin of victory in NASCAR Cup Series history at (.005 ms); high speed high-density crashes under the lights, and a broad display of fireworks during post-race celebrations.

Brad Keselowski is the defending winner of the race.

Prior to the opening of the track, and prior to the inaugural Daytona 500, tentative plans were made to host a 300-mile USAC Championship (Indy car) race on July 4th weekend of 1959. However, following two separate fatal accidents to drivers Marshall Teague (testing) and George Amick (Daytona 100), speedway officials cancelled the race, citing dangerously high speeds, as well as low turnout. Bill France Sr. announced plans to hold a 100-lap/250-mile NASCAR stock car race instead, scheduled for July 4.


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