Daytona 500 One of the Most Valuable Sporting Event Brands According to Forbes.com

‘The Great American Race’ is the Only Motorsports Event on the Top 10 List

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Daytona 500, recognized as “The Great American Race” and the premier event in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, is also one of the most valuable sports brands in the world according to the Forbes Fab 40 published this week on Forbes.com

Using Forbes.com’s proprietary data base and methodology, the Fab 40 values the top 10 names in sports in four distinct categories: athletes, businesses, events and teams.

For the third straight time, the Daytona 500 – NASCAR’s biggest, richest and most prestigious race – placed in the top 10 most valuable sporting events brands at No. 7. It was the only motorsports event on the Top 10 List.

“The power of the Daytona 500 brand remains unmatched in motorsports,” Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III said. “The recognition by Forbes.com not only validates the significance of this prestigious event to its fans and competitors, but also demonstrates the incredible global reach and value ‘The Great American Race’ represents to our partners.”

On a newly repaved racing surface, the 2011 Daytona 500 produced one of the most exciting races in event history. The Wood Brothers’ Trevor Bayne – at the age of 20 – became the youngest Daytona 500 champion and new records were established for different leaders (22) and lead changes (74).

The complete Top 10 list for most valuable sporting events brands in the world were: NFL’s Super Bowl; The Summer Olympic Games; FIFA World Cup; Major League Baseball’s World Series; UEFA Champions League; the Winter Olympic Games; the Daytona 500; NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four; Major League Baseball’s All-Star Week  and the Kentucky Derby.

For the complete Forbes Fab 40 article, visit http://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeozanian/2011/10/03/the-forbes-fab-40-the-worlds-most-valuable-sports-brands-3/

Tickets for the 54th annual Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 26 as well as other Speedweeks 2012 events can be purchased online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP

New for the 2012 Daytona 500 is special youth pricing.  Children 12 and under will receive 50 percent off all Superstretch grandstand seats for the Daytona 500.  The special offer expires Feb. 1.

Fans can stay connected with Daytona International Speedway’s social media channels on Twitter (www.twitter.com/disupdates) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/DaytonaInternationalSpeedway).