The Florida Department of Transportation is sponsoring the America 250 Florida Duel at DAYTONA on February 12 – an event that will help celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s founding and the important role that the Daytona 500 National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing or NASCAR race has played in Florida’s motor history, as well as roadway safety.
[Above image by Florida DOT]
At the event, NASCAR drivers will fight for their starting position in the 68th running of the Daytona 500 race. Following the America 250 Florida Duel at DAYTONA and other races during the week-long build up to the Daytona 500, Florida DOT employees will be onsite at the Speedway to further educate and promote roadway safety to race fans.
“It’s an honor to welcome the Florida Department of Transportation as our new sponsor for the America 250 Florida Duel at DAYTONA to help kick off Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth in 2026,” said Frank Kelleher, president of the Daytona International Speedway, in a statement.
“This sponsorship is a commitment to FDOT’s continued efforts to help keep Volusia County’s roadways safe,” he added. “As we move forward on the shared journey toward a brighter future in Florida, there’s no better place to celebrate the 250the anniversary of American independence than at The World Center of Racing.”
“The history of automobile racing in Florida began in 1903 with a line drawn on the Florida sand, and throughout the years, the sport has rapidly grown in the state to make the Daytona 500 the most prestigious race on the NASCAR calendar,” added Cord Byrd, Florida’s secretary of state and chair of Florida’s Semiquincentennial Commission. “Duel at Daytona is an exciting way to commemorate that history.”
As part of the agency’s commitment to ensuring safety across the state’s roadways and reducing the number of transportation-related serious injuries and fatalities through its “Target Zero” initiative, Florida DOT said its partnership with Daytona International Speedway will further encourage motorists to make responsible decisions behind the wheel to keep families, visitors, and race fans safe.
“[This] is an ideal opportunity to honor Florida’s storied history,” noted Jared Perdue, Florida DOT secretary. “[We are] proud to partner with Daytona International Speedway to celebrate the thrill of racing while keeping our focus on safety where it matters most.”
Other state departments of transportation have also launched “America 250” celebration-themed campaigns as well.
For example, the Iowa Department of Transportation joined forces with Iowa’s Scenic Byways to kick off a series of educational presentations this year celebrating several historical locations across the state through June.
Iowa DOT said in a statement that it is helping host six monthly events this year leading up to the celebration of America’s 250th birthday on July 4, scheduled along Iowa’s Scenic Byways, aimed at inviting the public to learn about Iowa’s “unique and memorable contributions” to the nation’s past.
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