Daytona Int’l Speedway news

The SunTrust car makes a pitstop in the 2009 Rolex 24 at Daytona

The 48th anniversary of the Rolex 24 At Daytona, the kickoff event to the Speedweeks 2010 and the season opener for the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series, is set for Jan. 30-31, Daytona International Speedway President Robin Braig announced.

"The 2009 Rolex 24 produced the closest finish in race history and the competition is only going to get better for 2010," Braig said. "With Jan. 30-31 as the race date for the 2010 Rolex 24, America's most prestigious sports car race will stand alone as the premier sporting event for that weekend and sports car enthusiasts around the world will have a great opportunity to attend the Rolex 24 in person or view the action on SPEED Channel."

After the completion of the Rolex 24, the stock car portion of the Speedweeks 2010 will begin the following week with the Budweiser Shootout, Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 and Daytona 500 Qualifying Presented By Kroger.

The remaining Speedweeks schedule includes the Gatorade Duel At Daytona qualifying races on Thursday, Feb. 11, the NextEra Energy Resources 250 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on Friday, Feb. 12, the Camping World 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race on Saturday, Feb. 13 and the 51st annual Daytona 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season opener on Sunday, Feb. 14.

The No. 58 Brumos Porsche Riley with drivers David Donohue, Darren Law, Antonio Garcia and Buddy Rice captured the 2009 Rolex 24 in the closest finish in event history over the No. 01 Chip Ganassi Racing Lexus Riley.

The Rolex 24 is America's most prestigious sports car event and one of only two 24-hour sports car events in the world. The twice-around-the-clock challenge attracts a star-studded driver lineup from all racing disciplines around the world.

Drivers who competed in the 2009 edition of the Rolex 24 included NASCAR stars Jimmie Johnson, Kurt Busch and Juan Pablo Montoya, IndyCar stars Dario Franchitti, Ryan Briscoe, Scott Dixon, Buddy Rice and Danica Patrick and sports car veterans Wayne Taylor, Max Angelelli, Hurley Haywood, Scott Pruett and Alex Gurney.

The event also produces a festival atmosphere with plenty of activities for fans to experience such as a massive Grand-Am autograph session, wine and cheese tasting, Chili Cook-Off, the Daytona 5K run/walk and Uncle Robbie's Breakfast Garage.

Tickets for the Rolex 24 At Daytona go on sale Saturday, May 16 along with the rest of Speedweeks events. To purchase tickets, go online at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by call 1-800-PITSHOP. DIS PR