NASCAR At Daytona International Speedway: 2011 Start Time, Starting Lineup, TV/Radio Listings And More

Jul 2, 2011, 12:00 PM UTC

It's NASCAR race night at Daytona International Speedway, and we've got the actual race start time, the starting lineup and some other facts about the Coke Zero 400 for you below.

Start time: The command to start engines will be given by Florida State University football coach Jimbo Fisher at 7:40 p.m. Eastern time. After a few pace laps, honorary starter Tony Antonelli – a NASA astronaut – will wave the green flag at precisely 7:52 p.m. Eastern. So if you want to skip the pre-race show and just tune in for the actual race, flip your TV on at 7:52.

Race name/distance: The race once known as the "Firecracker 400" has been a cola-branded event for more than 20 years now. But the Pepsi 400 name is long gone, and the Daytona summer race has been the Coke Zero 400 since 2008. It takes 160 laps to go 400 miles around the 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway.

TV and radio: TNT's fourth race of its six-race NASCAR broadcasting stint is tonight, but we also recommend you take advantage of TNT's "RaceBuddy" application over at NASCAR.com. You can watch the race on your computer and pick which camera angle you want to watch for free. If you aren't near a TV, the radio broadcast can be found on your local Motor Racing Network (MRN) affiliate. Click here to see a list of MRN stations where you can listen.

National anthem: After a series of sub-par national anthems last season, NASCAR tracks are increasingly using military-related groups to perform the anthems this season. Daytona is no different. Performing the anthem tonight will be the United States Navy Band of the Southeast.

Tickets: There are still tickets available for tonight's race if you're thinking of making the drive to Daytona Beach. Next week's race at Kentucky, however, has already been announced as a sellout.

Weather: According to the unofficial NASCAR weatherman, tonight will be mainly dry with temperatures around 81 degrees. But given that we're in Florida and it's the summertime, there's always a chance for an isolated thunderstorm or two.

Last time: Kevin Harvick continued Richard Childress Racing's dominance at plate tracks by winning the 2010 Coke Zero 400. And, of course, Trevor Bayne won the most recent Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona.

Starting lineup for tonight's NASCAR race at Daytona International Speedway: