NASCAR, Waltrip set to honor, raise funds for Sandy Hook at Daytona 500
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FILE - In this Jan. 11, 2013, file photo, a pack of cars drives past the start/finish line moments before a wreck on the backstretch during NASCAR auto race testing at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. There's a buzz about NASCAR and the season-opening Daytona 500 that has nothing to do with an exploding jet dryer or a well-timed tweet. NASCAR's new Gen-6 race car makes its long-awaited debut and the success of the 2013 season could depend heavily on its performance. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File) (The Associated Press)
Michael Waltrip will honor and raise funds for Sandy Hook Elementary School in the No. 26 car at the Daytona 500.
The two-time Daytona 500 winner was set to drive the No. 30 Toyota in a one-race deal. The number instead will be changed to No. 26 to honor the victims. Sandy Hook is the school in Newtown, Conn., where 20 first-graders and six adults were killed by a gunman on Dec. 14.
The No. 26 car was at Daytona International Speedway on Thursday and had a black and green ribbon on the hood. Waltrip also owns a team and all three entries will run with the "text NEWTOWN to 80888" decal for the Daytona 500 on Feb. 24.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}NASCAR Brian France and Waltrip visited Newtown last week.