Finalists named in Daytona 500 charity ticket design

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- When fans speak, Daytona International Speedway listens. Some of the most passionate fans in professional sports have made their voices heard and narrowed a star-studded field of 46 celebrity designs to 10 finalists in the Daytona 500 "Celebrity Tickets for Charity" competition.

These 10 celebrities among sports and entertainment personalities have edged out the competition in an online battle for ultimate bragging rights and now move one step closer to the honor of having their artistic sense immortalized on the most sought after ticket in all of motorsports -- the 50th running of the Daytona 500.

Ticket Design

10 Finalists

1.	Kevin Harvick
2.	Jeff Foxworthy
3.	Dale Earnhardt Jr.
4.	Tony Hawk
5.	Katie Cook
6.	Mike Joy
7.	Patrick McRae (Rick Hendrick)
8.	Derek Wynne (Jimmie Johnson)
9.	Marvin Panch
10.	Mario Andretti

To commemorate the historic milestone of NASCAR's most prestigious race on February 17, 2008, Daytona International Speedway launched "Celebrity Tickets for Charity," a fun, philanthropic initiative that has provided a platform for professional athletes, musicians, actors and TV personalities to showcase their artistic talents through their personal canvases inspired by the "Great American Race." The response was overwhelming as daytona500.com received an unprecedented number of visits from NASCAR fans voting for their celebrity designs. Voting began May 1 and ended June 14, 2007.

A panel made up of members of the NASCAR community will decide the winning entry. International Speedway Corporation (ISC) president Lesa France Kennedy, Daytona International Speedway president Robin Braig, three-time Daytona 500 winner Jeff Gordon, 1989 Daytona 500 winner Darrell Waltrip, seven-time Daytona 500 winner Richard Petty, and TNT on-air talent Marty Snider comprise the judging panel and have the responsibility of determining the look of the 2008 Daytona 500 ticket.

"Daytona holds a special place in my heart and I am privileged to have been a part of its remarkable history," Petty said. "The 'Celebrity Tickets for Charity' competition is a unique way to celebrate the 50th running of the Daytona 500 and gives fans an extra incentive to participate in this historic milestone. The 2008 Daytona 500 will truly be one of the greatest motorsports events of all time."

The winning design will be announced Saturday, July 7 at Daytona prior to the Pepsi 400. Once the winning design is chosen, all original celebrity artwork will be auctioned online with the proceeds benefiting The Jeff Gordon Foundation, which supports children with life-threatening and chronic diseases.

Tickets to the 50th running of the Daytona 500 are currently on sale to the general public. To view the top 10 finalists, purchase tickets, or for ticket information, visit daytona500.com.