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Two Very Different Daytona Speedway Headlines Today (Edited w/Links)

When I woke up this morning, the headline read ...

"COKE MUSCLES OUT PEPSI AT DAYTONA AND OTHER TRACKS"

I was so excited!

I couldn't wait to blog about it!

It is too bad that the fans who had just attended the recent Pepsi 400 on 7/7/07 didn't know it was to be the final Pepsi 400, I bet all the memorabilia from that race will become hot items for the NASCAR COLLECTORS.

Why am I so excited?

I work at the Coca Cola Speed Experience during the Daytona 500, this will make our event bigger!
There are more Coca Cola sponsored cars in NASCAR then Pepsi
I love Coca Cola products!

But, then, just a couple hours later.. a phone call came in to the office..

A plane had crashed into a Sanford home.. At least 3 people injured.. Seeing the horrific photos I was amazed they were only injured.

It wasn't much longer before we learned 5 had died due to the crash, one person killed, was Dr. Bruce Kennedy. Dr. Kennedy is the husband of Lesa France Kennedy, daughter of Bill France JR who had just passed away last month.

Lesa France Kennedy is the Vice President of the International Speedway Corp. Her grandfather, Bill France SR, was basically the one who founded NASCAR.

The plane twin engine Cessna 310 was registered to Competitor Liaison Bureau Inc., a company registered under the late Mr. France's name.

For a day that began on such a high note for the folks at that Daytona International Speedway, things had taken a horrible turn so fast.

An adult and two children on the ground also lost their lives.

My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who lost their lives or loved ones in this horrific accident today.

Posted by Lysa Napolitano, Call Coordinator ~ Century 21 Sundance on 07/10/2007 03:15 PM

Comments (10)

nascar, coca cola at daytona speedway, bruce kennedy, lesa france, bill france jr, daytona international speedway

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10 Comments on Two Very Different Daytona Speedway Headlines Today (Edited w/Links)

JUL

2007

Hi Lysa -- Thanks for your insight on this very tragic story. Our prayers are up for all. Aloha

Hi Lysa,

Wow...I was about a mile or so from there and I did not hear a thing until the fire engines started coming in from all directions. I thank god that more people were not hurt as those homes are on 50 ft lots and the fuel fire could have caused so much more damage. My thoughts are for the families as well.

Aloha Bruce, Mahalo ~ Thank you.

Robert, I heard that there was no explosion, just a dull thud. I too thank God no more people were hurt. Those houses are very close together.

Lysa, This was a terrible tragedy today. I will certainly keep these folks friends and families in my prayers. What an awful day for them

Bryant, It certainly was. It makes me stop and realize how precious everything is.

Lysa, I saw this on the news this morning and thought about all of you in Florida. I didn't know any of the details until your post! My thoughts and prayers are with the families!

JUL

2007

Our hearts go out to all the families who were hurt, or loss of their loved ones, this was such a sad story.

I followed the story all day. Very sad.

On the lighter side.... I hate it when a venue gets bought out by ONE soft drink provider. It gives me less choice.

Kim, Bob & Tom, Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts and prayers.

Tom, at least with COKE, they own Sprite and DANSINI water. Even though Pepsi owns Gator Aide, Gator Aide will remain at all the tracks, which I think is a great idea. I wonder if this goes for beer also? Is there one "beer vendor" at the Daytona Speedway? The Leesburg Bike Week Vendors only sell Budweiser Beer, I won't drink Bud, so I drink water when I am out there.

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