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Opening NASCAR Race at Daytona May Have Weirdest Name in Sport’s History

The 2021 NASCAR season is just around the corner. Like so many years before, the upcoming racing season promises to have more than enough excitement and drama to satisfy the most rabid of fans.

What it is also going to have is one of the weirdest race names in the sport’s history. Set to take place on Saturday, Feb. 13, at Daytona International Speedway is the Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. 300.

You read that right. The race is the Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. 300. Last year, the race was known as the NASCAR Racing Experience 300.

In addition, this oddly named event stands out from a tradition of NASCAR races being named after the companies that sponsor them. According to BeyondtheFlag.com, other unusual race names include the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen and the Spongebob Squarepants 400.

Race to Promote the Beef Checkoff Program

The beef slogan is probably popular to anyone who has watched television in recent decades thanks to the many commercials that have aired. The “Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner.” slogan has been, and continues to be, used to promote including beef as part of a well-rounded diet. According to BeyondtheFlag.com, the Beef Checkoff Program provides funding for the advertising campaign. YMLY&R provides creative ideas for it.

The Beef Checkoff Program hopes the race will be another avenue to promote their campaign. It reportedly builds on the ongoing relationship between the organization and Daytona International Speedway. Last year, Chip Wile, track president, showed off his beef grilling skills during the event.

“We’re excited to sponsor the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300, and provide a showcase for America’s hard-working farmers and ranchers,” said Marty Smith, a rancher from Ocala, Florida and president of NCBA, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff. “This is one of the nation’s premier sporting events and it’s the perfect opportunity to help us promote the nutritional benefits of great-tasting beef to millions of consumers in the U.S. and around the globe.”

The Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. 300 will air live on Fox Sports 1 beginning at 5 p.m.

NASCAR Cup Series Opens at Daytona

The Daytona 500 is one of the most popular races in the NASCAR season. Race day is Sunday, Feb. 14. The event will be broadcast on Fox and give fans a chance to see how the 2021 season could go.

According to the official website of Daytona International Speedway, COVID-19 precautions will be in place during the annual event. “At this time, we plan to implement procedures to safely host fans for the 2021 DAYTONA 500 and Speedweeks events, including limiting venue capacity to allow for socially distanced seating,” the website states.

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