Those with a love of cars will have something extra to celebrate this Valentine's Day: Daytona SpeedWeeks begins Feb. 14. The ten-day racing spectacle in Florida will culminate with the Daytona 500 on Feb. 24.
Called the "Great American Race" the 200-lap, 500-mile race is regarded as the most important race on the NASCAR calendar.
Actor James Franco has been announced as the Grand Marshall for this year's race, which unlike the crowning events in other major sports, starts at the beginning of the season.
Three-time Daytona 500 winner Jeff Gordon tweeted Monday that "Anticipation and excitement to get on track is building fast!"
Website SportingNews.com compiled a list of highlights for the upcoming Speedweeks:
Thursday, Feb. 14
NASCAR Media Day. All Sprint Cup drivers will meet with the media, as well as many Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series drivers.
Dale Earnhardt Jr., Danica Patrick, Brad Keselowski, Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch and other NASCAR stars will be on hand to offer their insight heading into Speedweeks and 2013.
Friday, Feb. 15
The practice garage opens for the first time with practices set for Saturday's Sprint Unlimited scheduled for 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 16
Sprint Cup teams hit the track and begin preparations for Daytona 500 qualifying. The Sprint Unlimited field takes the green flag at 8:10 p.m. (TV: Fox)
Sunday, Feb. 17
Daytona 500 qualifying (two laps, two positions) is set for 1:05 p.m. (TV: Fox)
Wednesday, Feb. 20
Sprint Cup teams return to practice for Thursday's Budweiser Duel qualifying races. Practice sessions are scheduled for 12-1:30 p.m. and 2:30-4 p.m. (TV: Speed)
Thursday, Feb. 21
The Budweiser Duel qualifying races to set the field for the Daytona 500 will begin at 2 p.m. (TV: Speed).
Nationwide and truck teams will practice Thursday morning.
Friday, Feb. 22
Sprint Cup teams practice twice to prepare for the Daytona 500 - 11 a.m.-12 p.m. and 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Truck and Nationwide teams qualify, beginning at 1:40 p.m.
The Camping World Truck Series race is set for 7:30 p.m. (TV: Speed)
Saturday, Feb. 23
The final Daytona 500 practice is scheduled for 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
The Nationwide Series race is for 1:15 p.m. (TV: ESPN)
Sunday, Feb. 24
The 55th Daytona 500. Driver introductions will begin at 12:15 p.m. (TV: Fox), followed by the national anthem, the command to fire engines and the green flag a few minutes after 1 p.m.
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