Daytona 500 Trophy History
Trophy History
If there’s one trophy a driver dreams of putting his hands on, it’s the Harley J. Earl trophy. Awarded to the winner of the Daytona 500, the Harley J. Earl trophy is one of the most prized possessions in motorsports.
Named after Harley J. Earl, a famous General Motors designer and friend of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., the Harley J. Earl Perpetual Trophy rests year round inside The Daytona 500 Experience , “The Official Motorsports Attraction of NASCAR,” and bears the name of every Daytona 500 champion.
Each year, the Harley J. Earl Perpetual Trophy makes a trip outside the attraction to the hallowed grounds of Gatorade Victory Lane at the “World Center of Racing” for a meeting with the Daytona 500 champion.
While the Daytona 500 champion doesn’t take home the Harley J. Earl trophy, the winner of the “Great American Race” is awarded a replica Harley J. Earl trophy, which has a black base with a scaled-down replica of the Firebird One that Earl created in 1954 at the peak of his career with General Motors.
The Harley J. Earl trophy is just one of three trophies awarded on the day of the Daytona 500.
The winning crew chief of the Daytona 500 champion is awarded the Cannonball Baker trophy, which is named after the famous coast-to-coast racer who was elected the first national commissioner of NASCAR in 1948 while the owner of the winning Daytona 500 champion is awarded the Governor’s Cup.
2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Schedule
2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Schedule
| Date | Site | Network |
|---|---|---|
| 2/18 | Daytona International Speedway (Shootout) | FOX |
| 2/19 | Daytona International Speedway (Daytona 500 Qualifying) | FOX |
| 2/23 | Daytona International Speedway (Duel) | SPEED |
| 2/26 | Daytona 500 | FOX |
| 3/4 | Phoenix International Raceway | FOX |
| 3/11 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway | FOX |
| 3/18 | Bristol Motor Speedway | FOX |
| 3/25 | Auto Club Speedway | FOX |
| 4/1 | Martinsville Speedway | FOX |
| 4/14 | Texas Motor Speedway | FOX |
| 4/22 | Kansas Speedway | FOX |
| 4/28 | Richmond International Raceway | FOX |
| 5/6 | Talladega Superspeedway | FOX |
| 5/12 | Darlington Raceway | FOX |
| 5/19 | NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race (Charlotte Motor Speedway) | SPEED |
| 5/27 | Charlotte Motor Speedway | FOX |
| 6/3 | Dover International Speedway | FOX |
| 6/10 | Pocono Raceway | TNT |
| 6/17 | Michigan International Speedway | TNT |
| 6/24 | Infineon Raceway | TNT |
| 6/30 | Kentucky Speedway | TNT |
| 7/7 | Daytona International Speedway | TNT |
| 7/15 | New Hampshire Motor Speedway | TNT |
| 7/29 | Indianapolis Motor Speedway | ESPN |
| 8/5 | Pocono Raceway | ESPN |
| 8/12 | Watkins Glen International | ESPN |
| 8/19 | Michigan International Speedway | ESPN |
| 8/25 | Bristol Motor Speedway | ABC |
| 9/2 | Atlanta Motor Speedway | ESPN |
| 9/8 | Richmond International Raceway | ABC |
| 9/16 | Chicagoland Speedway | ESPN |
| 9/23 | New Hampshire Motor Speedway | ESPN |
| 9/30 | Dover International Speedway | ESPN |
| 10/7 | Talladega Superspeedway | ESPN |
| 10/13 | Charlotte Motor Speedway | ABC |
| 10/21 | Kansas Speedway | ESPN |
| 10/28 | Martinsville Speedway | ESPN |
| 11/4 | Texas Motor Speedway | ESPN |
| 11/11 | Phoenix International Raceway | ESPN |
| 11/18 | Homestead-Miami Speedway | ESPN |
2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series Schedule
2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series Dates Announced For 30th Anniversary Season
Inaugural Brickyard Race, Montreal Return, Star Power Highlight Milestone Year
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Oct. 19, 2011) – Highlighted by an inaugural visit to one of the most historic race tracks in motorsports, a return trip to Montreal and plenty of driver star power, NASCAR announced today the 2012 schedule for the NASCAR Nationwide Series.
Full-time rides for Danica Patrick and Austin Dillon plus the addition of action sports superstar Travis Pastrana who plans to run the majority of the schedule, give the 2012 season a huge dose of anticipation.
“From the season-opener at Daytona International Speedway to the finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, the 2012 schedule has a great mix of tracks that will continue to deliver great racing for our fans,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR senior vice president of racing operations. “We’re excited to bring the NASCAR Nationwide Series to the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway, along with the addition of a second date at Kentucky Speedway.”
Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series season features 33 race dates, including the series’ first visit to Indianapolis Motor Speedway as part of a companion weekend with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and GRAND-AM Road Racing. The inaugural Brickyard event will take place on July 28.
Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve – a fan-favorite that has evolved into a “crown jewel” for the series – returns for a sixth-consecutive season, on Aug. 18. The 14-turn layout is one of three road-course events on the calendar, joining Road America (June 23) and Watkins Glen International (Aug. 11).
Additional 2012 schedule highlights:
- Daytona International Speedway again opens the season, on Feb. 25, a week later than past years.
- Iowa Speedway hosts the series’ first stand-alone event on May 20, with a second date on Aug. 4.
- Homestead-Miami Speedway will once again host the season-finale, on Nov. 17.
- For the first time, Kentucky Speedway will have two NASCAR Nationwide race dates, on June 29 and Sept. 22.
- Chicagoland Speedway also returns with two dates, one a stand-alone affair on July 22.
- Daytona’s summer event and Kentucky Speedway’s race will swap weekends in 2012, as the July 4th holiday falls mid-week next year. Daytona will run on July 6.
- In conjunction with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series’ schedule shift, Kansas Speedway’s date moves to Oct. 20 to accommodate the track’s repave, scheduled for April of 2012.
Below is the entire 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule.
| Date | Site |
|---|---|
| Feb. 25 | Daytona International Speedway |
| March 3 | Phoenix International Raceway |
| March 10 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway |
| March 17 | Bristol Motor Speedway |
| March 24 | Auto Club Speedway |
| April 13 | Texas Motor Speedway |
| April 27 | Richmond International Raceway |
| May 5 | Talladega Superspeedway |
| May 11 | Darlington Raceway |
| May 20 | Iowa Speedway |
| May 26 | Charlotte Motor Speedway |
| June 2 | Dover International Speedway |
| June 16 | Michigan International Speedway |
| June 23 | Road America |
| June 29 | Kentucky Speedway |
| July 6 | Daytona International Speedway |
| July 14 | New Hampshire Motor Speedway |
| July 22 | Chicagoland Speedway |
| July 28 | Indianapolis Motor Speedway |
| Aug. 4 | Iowa Speedway |
| Aug. 11 | Watkins Glen International |
| Aug. 18 | Circuit Gilles Villeneuve |
| Aug. 24 | Bristol Motor Speedway |
| Sept. 1 | Atlanta Motor Speedway |
| Sept. 7 | Richmond International Raceway |
| Sept. 15 | Chicagoland Speedway |
| Sept. 22 | Kentucky Speedway |
| Sept. 29 | Dover International Speedway |
| Oct. 12 | Charlotte Motor Speedway |
| Oct. 20 | Kansas Speedway |
| Nov. 3 | Texas Motor Speedway |
| Nov. 10 | Phoenix International Raceway |
| Nov. 17 | Homestead-Miami Speedway |
2012 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Schedule
2012 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Schedule
Day Three: NASCAR Preseason Thunder
Day Three: NASCAR Preseason Thunder At Daytona International Speedway
NASCAR And Teams Continue Data Collection On Final Day Of Testing
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 14, 2012) — As the final day of Preseason Thunder wrapped, there was certainly no shortage of information NASCAR and the teams gathered during this three-day test as speeds continued to stand close to the 200-mph mark.
Kasey Kahne led the morning session with a speed of 201.545 mph, with Hendrick Motorsports teammates Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Jimmie Johnson also posting times near the top of the charts.
Teams continued to collaborate with NASCAR throughout the day, in particular with the afternoon pack drafting session, to work towards the goal of reducing the ease of the tandem draft and making it an exception instead of the norm.“Once we leave here, obviously there will be a lot of energy spent on looking through all of the data that we’ve collected this week,” said NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Director John Darby. “Looking through lap times and speeds and watching film and footage. I would like to have the final rules package out as quickly as we can just to make sure the teams have enough time to react to everything.”
Drivers and crew chiefs have been very positive regarding the test, the sharing of information and the adjustments being made by NASCAR. “They’re (NASCAR) definitely thinking ahead and doing a lot of research and development back at their shop,” said 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion crew chief Darian Grubb. “Just coming here with a pre-planned effort with some of the changes and things that they’ve already done has been a real positive. They’ve got the data being collected and have a good idea of what they want to do and what they want to accomplish. As they filter that out to us, we go out and hit the race track with it and see how that changes our cars.”
“AJ [Allmendinger] and I were able to log a lot of laps today and I feel good about our package for the 500,” said Penske Racing driver Brad Keselowski. “It’s getting harder to perform the two-car draft so maybe we’ll see some pack racing when we come back. I had a blast running in the pack today.”The afternoon session kicked off with pack drafting for most teams. Top speed of the afternoon was 200.562 mph, posted by Jeff Gordon.
NASCAR officials were also pleased with the test and will be taking this data back to the Research and Development Center in Concord, N.C. to assist in getting the final rules package together for next month’s Daytona 500“We’ve had a good test and gained a lot of information,” said Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton. “We know that when we come out of here, there will be some loose ends we have to tie up as we get all of our information together and come up with our final plans for Speedweeks. I can say that all in all everything is going according to plan.Great seats are still available for the 54th Daytona 500 on February 26, 2012. Call 1-800-PITSHOP or visit www.daytona500.com.
Day Two: NASCAR Preseason Thunder At Daytona International Speedway
Day Two: NASCAR Preseason Thunder At Daytona International Speedway
Second Day Features Adjustments To Rules Package
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 13, 2012) — As with any test, especially one as important as 2012 Preseason Thunder at Daytona, getting it right and being open to make adjustments is key.
After the late afternoon practice session on Thursday, NASCAR announced changes for today’s test session with an increase in the diameter of restrictor-plate openings from 1/32nd of an inch to 15/16ths inches, adding an estimated 26 horsepower to the engines.In addition, they lowered the pressure relief valve settings from 30 pounds per square inch to 25 psi and narrowed the grille openings of the cars, thereby decreasing airflow to the engine. Both measures were designed to decrease the number of laps one car can push another without overheating.As stated by NASCAR officials, this is not only a test for the teams but for NASCAR as well.
“Our goal and our responsibility is to try to make decisions so that racing is as good as everybody expects it to be or better during the Daytona 500,” said NASCAR President Mike Helton, addressing the media during the lunch break of today’s session.“We watch the speeds and everybody knows we watch the speeds and there’s a balance between what we’re comfortable with,” Helton said.
NASCAR asked drivers to participate in a pack drafting session during the afternoon session to assist in the gathering of information teams and officials were looking for in hopes to be able to apply to a baseline when we come back for Speedweeks next month.“We did some drafting, which is very interesting,” said four-time NASCAR series champion Jeff Gordon. “With the smaller spoiler and restrictor plate, cars have a lot of power, a lot of speed and that has changed things a bit.”
Following the afternoon session, NASCAR conferred with its notes and decided to implement additional changes for Saturday, the third and final day of Preseason Thunder.Changes implemented included the closing of the bottom of the radiator opening; reducing radiator pressures approximately four pounds and a return to the restrictor plate used in Thursday’s test session.“We’re going to continue to work on aero packages and plate sizes and all types of things from now until the day we sign back in here at Daytona,” said Vice President of Competition Robin PembertoTomorrow concludes 2012 Preseason Thunder at Daytona for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams.
Day One: NASCAR Preseason Thunder
Day One: NASCAR Preseason Thunder At Daytona International Speedway
New Rules, New Year And Beards Among Highlights Of Driver Media Availability
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 12, 2012) — There was no shortage of conversation – or anything off-limits – during Day 1 of Preseason Thunder at Daytona International Speedway.
From spoilers to drafting to beards – all were topics du jour.
A full field of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers tackled Daytona International Speedway for the first of a three-day test as teams make their final preparations for the 54th running of the Daytona 500, February 26.
“It’s important for us to test down here, not only for the teams, but for us,” said Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton. “We’ve had track tests at Daytona and Talladega and we’ve been in the wind tunnel several times. We think we’re making some great strides. The test is going pretty good for us. The teams are learning about their equipment and the limits they will be under with water temperatures and things like that. We’ve seen softer springs, a smaller spoiler and a reduction in downforce. We’re pleased with the progress we’ve made so far.”
Jeff Gordon led 31 cars during the morning session of practice with a top speed of 192.773 mph. Teams practiced single and two-car runs in the morning session, but for most, the excitement of returning to Daytona and the thrill of the “The Great American Race,” only 45 days away, certainly added to the intensity of the day.
“A lot of effort goes into this race,” said Dale Earnhardt, Jr. “Winning the 500 is the biggest race of the year. It is the greatest feeling. The effort is quadruple when it comes to how much goes into the engines just for that race and the bodies of the cars. So it’s a pretty big deal when you win.”
The winning car of this year’s Daytona 500 will be the first car in the history of the sport to score a victory with a fuel injected engine.
“I feel like there is a crack in the floodgates,” said veteran driver Mark Martin. “I think there is a huge amount of electronics and adjustments and so much that can be done by those guys on the computer, instead of all those years I spent with Jack [Roush] with the carburetor apart up in the trailer.”
The afternoon drafting session belonged to the Toyotas of Kyle Busch and Joey Logano, respectively, with Busch posting a top speed of 202.402 mph.
What will tomorrow bring for these teams? More knowledge for them to get ready for one of the biggest races of the year.
“We’ll gather our information and we’ll talk with the teams,” said Pemberton in regards to practicing different forms of drafting. “That’s why we have a three-day test.”
Preseason Thunder Testing Entry List
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Preseason Thunder Testing at Daytona International Speedway, January 12‐14, 2012
Car # Team
1 Earnhardt Ganassi Racing
2 Penske Racing
5 Hendrick Motorsports
9 Richard Petty Motorsports
10 Stewart‐Haas Racing
11 Joe Gibbs Racing
13 Germain Racing
14 Stewart‐Haas Racing
15 Michael Waltrip Racing
16 Roush Fenway Racing
17 Roush Fenway Racing
18 Joe Gibbs Racing
20 Joe Gibbs Racing
21 Wood Brothers
22 Penske Racing
24 Hendrick Motorsports
27 Richard Childress Racing
29 Richard Childress Racing
31 Richard Childress Racing
39 Stewart‐Haas Racing
42 Earnhardt Ganassi Racing
43 Richard Petty Motorsports
48 Hendrick Motorsports
51 Phoenix Racing
55 Michael Waltrip Racing
56 Michael Waltrip Racing
78 Furniture Row Racing
87 Nemco Motorsports
88 Hendrick Motorsports
99 Roush Fenway Racing
Pace Cars
Pace Cars
| Year | Car Type |
| 1959 | Pontiac Bonneville convertible |
| 1960 | Buick convertible |
| 1961 | Pontiac Bonneville convertible |
| 1962 | Pontiac Bonneville convertible |
| 1963 | Buick convertible |
| 1964 | Dodge Coronet convertible |
| 1965 | Dodge Coronet convertible |
| 1966 | Plymouth Belvedere convertible |
| 1967 | Pontiac Firebird |
| 1968 | Chevrolet Camaro convertible |
| 1969 | Chevrolet Camaro convertible |
| 1970 | Ford Torino GT convertible |
| 1971 | Porsche Audi 914 |
| 1972 | Pontiac LeMans |
| 1973 | Pontiac LeMans |
| 1974 | Pontiac Grand Am |
| 1975 | Pontiac LeMans |
| 1976 | Pontiac Grand Prix |
| 1977 | Pontiac Grand Prix |
| 1978 | Pontiac Grand Prix |
| 1979 | Pontiac Trans-Am |
| 1980 | Pontiac Turbo Trans-Am |
| 1981 | Pontiac Turbo Trans-Am |
| 1982 | Pontiac Trans-Am |
| 1983 | Pontiac Trans-Am |
| 1984 | Pontiac Trans-Am |
| 1985 | Pontiac Trans-Am |
| 1986 | Pontiac Trans-Am |
| 1987 | Pontiac Trans-Am |
| 1988 | Pontiac Grand Prix |
| 1989 | Pontiac Turbo Grand Prix |
| 1990 | Pontiac Turbo Grand Prix |
| 1991 | Pontiac Grand Prix |
| 1992 | Pontiac Grand Prix |
| 1993 | Pontiac Trans-Am |
| 1994 | Pontiac Trans-Am |
| 1995 | Pontiac Trans-Am |
| 1996 | Pontiac Trans-Am |
| 1997 | Pontiac Grand Prix |
| 1998 | Pontiac Grand Prix |
| 1999 | Pontiac Trans-Am |
| 2000 | Pontiac Grand Prix |
| 2001 | Pontiac Aztec |
| 2002 | Pontiac Trans-Am |
| 2003 | Pontiac Grand Prix |
| 2004 | Chevrolet Corvette |
| 2005 | Chevrolet Corvette |
| 2006 | Chevrolet Corvette |
| 2007 | Chevrolet Corvette |
| 2008 | Chevrolet Corvette |
| 2009 | Chevrolet Camaro |
| 2010 | Ford Mustang GT |
| 2011 | Chevrolet Camaro |
RACING-HELLONWHEEELS- Changes for 2012 NASCAR season are big, but less visible 01/27/2012
- 54th Daytona 500 : 50th Anniversary Rolex 24 at Daytona 01/27/2012
- NASCAR’s Brian France Says ‘Sport Is In A Very Good Place’ 01/27/2012
- New 2013 Ford Fusion NASCAR Sprint Cup Car 01/24/2012
- Logano hopes changes bring improvement in contract year 01/24/2012
- SERIES PAGE NATIONWIDE AND TRUCKS AT RACINGHELLONWHEELS
- Rev Racing stresses quality 01/27/2012
- NASCAR, Rev Racing Announce 2012 Team 01/26/2012
- Agreement Establishes First NASCAR Series In Europe 01/14/2012
- 112 Cars Expected To ‘Roar’ At Daytona 01/05/2012
- SERIES REPORT –GRANDAM–ARCA
- New Three-Race Competition Opens With Rolex 24 At Daytona 01/27/2012
- Rolex 24 Preview 01/27/2012
- GRAND-AM Cooldown Lap:Rolex 24 01/27/2012
- The World Comes To Daytona —Rolex 24 Plays Central Role 01/26/2012
- ARCA and CRA Clarify First ARCA/CRA Event 01/26/2012
