2014 Preseason Thunder Dates Scheduled for Jan. 9-14

Preseason Thunder, the annual NASCAR testing session at Daytona International Speedway featuring the Sprint Cup Series, will expand in 2014 with the addition of the Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series. Preseason Thunder marks the official start to NASCAR’s “Road To Daytona.”

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams will test on Jan. 9-10 as they shake down their cars in advance of the prestigious season-opening 56th annual DAYTONA 500 on Sunday, Feb. 23. The NASCAR Nationwide Series will test on Jan. 11-12 for their season-opening event – the DRIVE4COPD 300 on Saturday, Feb. 22.

The Camping World Truck Series will wrap up Preseason Thunder on Jan. 13-14 as they prep for the NextEra Energy Resources 250 on Friday night, Feb. 21.

It’s the first time since 2008 that the Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series teams have participated in January testing sessions at Daytona International Speedway.

All test sessions are scheduled between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. each day, weather permitting. Each session includes a lunch break from noon until 1 p.m.

“We’re looking forward to hosting all three of NASCAR’s national touring series for Preseason Thunder,” Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III said. “Having the Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series teams join the stars of the Sprint Cup Series in testing the high banks will ignite plenty of excitement for the start of the new NASCAR season.”

The Preseason Thunder Fan Fests, the companion events to the January testing sessions in the Sprint FANZONE, are scheduled on Thursday night, Jan. 9 for the Sprint Cup Series and Saturday night, Jan. 11 for the Nationwide Series. There will not be a Fan Fest or infield admissions for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series testing sessions.

Fans can also watch each day’s testing at no cost from a section of the Oldfield Grandstands.

Tickets for Preseason Thunder Fan Fest for the Sprint Cup Series, which include the autograph session wristbands, will be available for purchase by calling 1-800-PITSHOP on Monday, Nov. 18 beginning at 9 a.m. The schedule of driver question-and-answer and autograph sessions will be finalized closer to the event.

Fans who would like to be contacted regarding Preseason Thunder Fan Fest ticket information can sign up online at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/thunder.

The Rolex 24, the tune-up session for the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship and Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge teams in advance of the 52nd anniversary of the Rolex 24 At Daytona, is scheduled for Jan. 3-5. Ticketholders for the 2014 Rolex 24 At Daytona will be admitted free for the Roar Before The Rolex 24 testing sessions.

DIS PR