Lenny Kravitz to perform at the 2012 Daytona 500

   Rock superstar Lenny Kravitz will perform the Daytona 500 Pre-Race Show, the pre-race extravaganza leading up to the start of “The Great American Race” at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, Feb. 26.

   Kravitz, who has sold more than 35 million albums and is the only musician in history to win the Grammy for best male vocals in rock music four times consecutively, will perform three songs prior to the start of the 54th annual Daytona 500 – the season-opening event to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

   Allfans that purchase a Pre-Race/Sprint FANZONE access pass for the Daytona 500 will be able to view Kravitz’s Daytona 500 Pre-Race Show, as well as driver introductions, from the grass tri-oval area.

   "Lenny Kravitz is an iconic performer and multi-talented musician - he will deliver a rousing performance prior to the start of the 54^th Daytona 500,” Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III said. “Race fans will experience a first-class, heart-pounding pre-race show that will serve as the perfect prelude to what will be an historic and thrilling afternoon of NASCAR racing on the high banks of Daytona.”

   In addition to his Daytona 500 Pre-Race Concert, a special ticket package designed around Kravitz has been created that includes a Daytona 500 ticket, Pre-Race/Sprint FANZONE access and VIP area access to Kravitz’s performance. Packages start at $164.

   For more information on tickets for the 54th annual Daytona 500 and Sprint FANZONE/Pre-Race access, race fans can go online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or call 1-800-PITSHOP.

Is Kurt Busch NASCAR's most disliked driver?

   The results of a Forbes poll of America's Most Disliked Athletes included one NASCAR driver - Kurt Busch came in at No. 10.

   NFL quarterback Michael Vick and golfer Tiger Woods tied at the top spot in the poll. About 60 percent of fans polled disliked Vick, but more people expressed a strong dislike for Vick compared to Woods.

   The survey was conducted by Nielsen and E-Poll Market Research. Scores were derived from the total percentage of fans that claim their view of an athlete is "dislike"; "dislike a lot" or "dislike somewhat." The field is limited to those registering at least 10% awareness with the general public.

   Busch's score came in at 42 percent.

   Since Busch was the only NASCAR driver to crack the poll, he unofficially picks up the title of NASCAR's most disliked driver. At least for the time being.

   To see more of the Forbes poll, go here.

NASCAR on Fox 2012 schedule

NASCAR on FOX 2012 Schedule

Date Track Event Coverage Begins

Sat. Feb. 18 Daytona Int’l Speedway Budweiser Shootout 8 PM

Sun. Feb. 19 Daytona Int’l Speedway Daytona 500 Qualifying 1 PM

Sun. Feb. 26 Daytona Int’l Speedway Daytona 500 Noon 

Sun. March 4 Phoenix Int’l Speedway Racing from Phoenix 2:30 PM

Sun. March 11 Las Vegas Motor Speedway Racing from Las Vegas 2:30 PM

Sun. March 18 Bristol Motor Speedway Racing from Bristol 12:30 PM

Sun. March 25 Auto Club Speedway Racing from Fontana 2:30 PM

Sun. April 1 Martinsville Speedway Racing from Martinsville 12:30 PM

Sat. April 14 Texas Motor Speedway Racing from Fort Worth 7:00 PM

Sun. April 22 Kansas Speedway Racing from Kansas City 12:30 PM

Sat. April 28 Richmond Int’l Raceway Racing from Richmond 7:00 PM

Sun. May 6 Talladega Superspeedway Racing from Talladega 12:00 PM

Sat. May 12 Darlington Raceway Racing from Darlington 6:30 PM

Sun. May 27 Charlotte Motor Speedway Racing from Charlotte 5:30 PM

Sun. June 3 Dover Int’l Speedway Racing from Dover 12:30 PM

All times Eastern; Schedule subject to change

WWE's John Cena to start Daytona 500

   WWE Superstar John Cena will wave the green flag as honorary starter of the 54^th annual Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 26 at Daytona International Speedway. Cena was invited to participate in this year’s race by 2011 title runner-up Carl Edwards during the broadcast of Monday night's "Raw" show on USA Network.

   During the scene, Edwards got out of his official No. 99 Fastenal Ford and told Cena, “NASCAR asked me to come to Monday Night Raw and personally invite you to drop the green flag and officially start the Daytona 500 on February 26.” An appreciative John Cena enthusiastically accepted with an emphatic “Yes!” 

   "John Cena is the greatest Superstar in WWE today,” Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III said. “We look forward to seeing him on the flag stand waving the green flag to start ‘The Great American Race’ and kick off the new NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.”

   Cena, who made his WWE debut in 2002, is a 10-time world champion. He can be seen each week on the hit cable series Monday Night Raw on USA Network. The avid NASCAR fan will headline WrestleMania against The Rock at Sun Life Stadium in Miami on Sunday, April 1, 2012.  

   Cena, like many NASCAR drivers, has a long standing relationship with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He is on pace to grant his 300^th wish, making him the first celebrity wish granter ever to reach that goal. The Make-A-Wish Foundation recently dedicated a room to WWE at the foundation’s headquarters in Phoenix in honor of Cena’s dedication to children with life-threatening medical conditions.

NASCAR drivers looking for votes

   Carl Edwards and Trevor Bayne, race winners in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, could soon add “Dance Machine” and “Gnarliest Newb” to their respective resumes.

   Edwards and Bayne have been nominated as part of Cartoon Network’s second annual Hall of Game Awards, which air Monday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. ET. Five-time Cup Series champion and 2011 “Dance Machine” nominee Jimmie Johnson will also present “The World’s Fastest Award” with a special cameo appearance.

   The show, hosted by former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal, is a high-energy, off-the-wall, multi-platform experience that lets viewers vote and honor their favorite sports stars and sports moments of the year.

   Edwards and Bayne have been nominated to compete in the “Dance Machine” and “Gnarliest Newb” categories. Edwards’ signature victory celebration, a backflip from his car, catapulted him to be a finalist in the “Dance Machine” category. Bayne’s improbable Daytona 500 victory as a 20-year-old in only his second Cup start propelled him to compete in what is essentially the “Rookie of the Year” category in this year’s awards.

   Fans can vote for Edwards and Bayne on www.hallofgame.com now through Friday, Feb. 17. 

NASCAR returns to Charlotte radio

   It was touch-and-go last year for many Charlotte-area terrestrial radio listeners trying to catch NASCAR racing on a regular basis.

   At the start of last season, neither MRN nor PRN - which combine to broadcast all the NASCAR events of the year were able to secure a long-term commitment from a local station to carry all their events.

   MRN, however, has struck a deal with WZGV-AM/ESPN 730 to carry all of their broadcasts this season in the Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck series. The first event broadcast in the new deal will be the Feb. 18 Budweiser Shootout from Daytona International Speedway.

   "We’ve been looking for a strong partner in this market and could not be happier to launch our 43rd year of broadcasting with this announcement," said MRN President and Executive Producer David Hyatt.

   "This gives us a strong voice in what is widely recognized as the heart of American stock car racing and we’re certain the partnership will reverberate throughout the region as the new season begins."

   WZGV's 10,000-watt signal – licensed to Cramerton, N.C. – saturates the metro Charlotte market. WZGV-AM/ESPN 730 is now one of 32 MRN affiliates in the Carolinas.

   ESPN 730 will also broadcast all of PRN's Nationwide Series races this season, which means the station will broadcast the complete Nationwide and Truck series schedule in the Charlotte area.

   PRN's Sprint Cup races will once again be broadcast on WRFX 99.7 FM in the Charlotte area - a deal that came together in March of last season.

Kyle Busch already a winner in 2012

   The 2012 CRA Super Series SpeedFest 200 may have started at a new venue, but for Kyle Busch and his No. 51 KBM Camry the race ended in a familiar location - Victory Lane. Busch, who won back-to-back SpeedFests in 2009 and 2010 when the event was held at Lanier National Speedway in Braselton, Ga., led 86 of the final 100 laps of Sunday's race at Watermelon Capital Speedway in Cordele, Ga. en route to his third career SpeedFest title.

   "It feels good to be the SpeedFest 2012 winner and to get my first win as a member of the Monster Energy family of athletes," said Busch. "It was an awesome weekend -- the turnout in the grandstands was great and the car count was phenomenal.

   "Everyone with the CRA Super Series does such a great job and I love competing in their events. I can't say enough about Chris Gabehart and all the guys that work on this KBM Camry -- they build fast cars that are a lot of fun to drive."

   Bubba Pollard finished second, followed by NASCAR Sprint Cup Series regular David Ragan in third. Casey Smith and T.J. Reaid rounded out the top-five finishers. The race featured 13 cautions for 86 laps. Seven of the 30 cars were unable to finish the race.