What's the beef? McDonald's, Wendy's spat over Daytona 500
Turns out fast-food burger wars were on the menu in the run-up to the Daytona 500 over, of all things, the paint schemes for cars sponsored by McDonald’s and Wendy’s. McDonald’s stamped its ubiquitous golden arches logo on the hood of 23XI Racing driver Bubba Wallace’s No. 23 Toyota. Wendy’s countered with a picture of a, well, super-sized beefy cheeseburger with the slogan “The Beef” emblazoned on Noah Gragson’s No. 42 Chevrolet.
news.yahoo.comWelcome FRESH Book Festival
Book Festival (Fiction, Romance, Erotica, Spiritual and Health), one of the largest book festivals for minority and indie self-published authors in Florida. The book festival will be held at the Julia and Charles Cherry, Cultural, and Educational Center, 925 George W Engram Blvd, Daytona Beach, Fl. Friday the book festival begins at 12:00 noon, with a performance by the Palm Terrace Elementary School Music class reenacting the Black History book by local author Rekia Beverly. The book festival will have two full days of workshops, interviews, speeches, excellent dinners, and awards. This year renowned authors and book festival executives will share knowledge, sell books, and explain how they have survived and flourished in the mainstream and Black literacy/book business.
thewestsidegazette.comB-CU students protest school’s refusal to hire Reed; living conditions
Source: DAYTONA TIMES STAFFDAYTONA BEACH, FL – Approximately 300 Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU) students gathered in front of White Hall – the site of the school’s administrative offices – to demand the resignation of the institution’s Board of Trustees, including Board Chairman Belvin Perry. Shortly after noon on Monday, protesters gathered at the gravesite of university founder Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune as campus security watched warily. The group then marched about 100 feet to White Hall chanting, “Hey hey, ho ho, the Board of Trustees has got to go” and “Hail Wildcats! Hell, no!”After they arrived in front of White Hall, B-CU students representing sports teams, the Student Government Association and various dormitories spoke at a rally, criticizing the university’s refusal to hire National Football Hall of Famer Ed Reed as head football coach. They also blasted Perry and school trustees for allowing living conditions to deteriorate, calling attention to moldy and rat-infested dorm room, substandard athletic facilities, and poor cafeteria food, among other things.
thewestsidegazette.comWoman who killed ill husband in hospital faces murder charge
A woman who fatally shot her terminally ill husband inside a Florida hospital was taken into custody over the weekend after SWAT team members used a nonlethal explosive device to distract her and then tried to use a stun gun on her, authorities said Monday.
Woman who shot and killed ill husband in hospital faces murder charge
A woman who fatally shot her terminally ill husband inside a Daytona Beach hospital was taken into custody over the weekend after SWAT team members used a nonlethal explosive device to distract her and then tried to use a stun gun on her, authorities said Monday.
sun-sentinel.com2022 Football State Championships in Fort Lauderdale: Know Before You Go
To be held at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Dec. 15-17 2022 Florida High School Football State Championships – DRV PNK Stadium (Fort Lauderdale)Thursday, December 15Class 3M State Championship, 7 p.m.o Homestead vs. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale)Friday, December 16Class 3S State Championship, 1 p.m.o Mainland (Daytona Beach) vs. Lake WalesClass 2M State Championship, 7 p.m.o American Heritage (Plantation) vs. Miami CentralSaturday, December 17Class 4S State Championship, 1 p.m.o Venice vs. LakelandClass 4M State Championship, 7 p.m.o Apopka vs. Columbus (Miami)AdmissionL $12.00 per game with advance purchase and $15.00 day of (via Ticketmaster ONLY).
thewestsidegazette.comToddler left behind in locked rental car at Florida airport
A toddler was left behind accidentally in a locked rental car when it was returned by her grandfather to a central Florida airport, and she wasn't discovered by an employee until 45 minutes later, authorities said Tuesday. The girl, who is less than 2 years old, was found in a car in the return lot by a Hertz employee at Daytona Beach International Airport Monday evening, according to the Volusia County Sheriff's Office. Not long after the girl was discovered, her mother called to say that her father had left her daughter accidentally in the rental car while babysitting her and that she was on her way to be reunited with her daughter, the sheriff's office said.
news.yahoo.comIan a hurricane again, nearing landfall in the Carolinas
After thrashing east-central and northeast Florida yesterday afternoon as a strong tropical storm, Ian found its second wind after reemerging over Atlantic waters and was reclassified a hurricane on Thursday about 70 miles east of Daytona Beach.
'Cruel prank' led to panic, lockdown at Florida high school
A shooting scare at a central Florida high school was a “cruel prank" carried out by two groups of students who now face criminal charges and possible expulsion, police said. Rumors, lies and conspiracy theories have been “floating around" on social media since Friday's lockdown at Mainland High School, Daytona Beach police said Sunday in a lengthy Facebook post. “This entire incident appears to have been a cruel prank by several students that has now gotten out of control due to internet trolls, misinformed people and in some cases, people that are not even in Florida," police said.
news.yahoo.comEx-cheerleader living in West Palm Beach found guilty in killings of 3 Florida women
A former college cheerleader has been found guilty in the deaths of three Florida women who were working as prostitutes more than 15 years ago. The West Palm Beach man was connected to the deaths as policed investigated a more recent killing.
sun-sentinel.comJury: Ex-cheerleader guilty in Florida prostitute deaths
A former criminal justice major and college cheerleader was convicted in the killings of three Florida prostitutes more than 15 years ago. Jurors deliberated more than eight hours before returning the guilty verdict against Robert Hayes, who was linked by DNA evidence to the three victims after another killing in Palm Beach County, where he had been working as a chef until his arrest in 2019. Hayes, 39, showed no reaction as the clerk read the jury’s verdict Tuesday evening, The Daytona Beach News-Journal reported.
news.yahoo.comThe Naked Cowboy arrested while performing at Bike Week
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Police arrested the Times Square performer known as the Naked Cowboy on a misdemeanor resisting arrest charge and cited him for panhandling as he worked a gig at Bike Week in Daytona Beach, Florida. Court records show 51-year-old Robert Burck was arrested Saturday. He’s widely known for wearing only white briefs, cowboy boots and a hat while playing guitar in New York City. He’s a regular at Bike Week on Florida’s Atlantic coast. Police say Burck was arrested after officers spotted people tucking dollar bills into his guitar after taking photographs.
Ty Gibbs stuns grandfather, wins in first career NASCAR race
It was the very first NASCAR national series race for Ty Gibbs, who jumped two steps from ARCA to Xfinity for his debut. Ty Gibbs is the second-youngest winner in Xfinity Series history. But as his grandson crossed the finish line, his glasses fogged and he hugged a Joe Gibbs Racing team member. JGR has yet to announce a full 2021 schedule for Ty Gibbs, but his grandfather said the details are decided by Coy Gibbs. They picked the Daytona road course for his debut because Ty Gibbs finished second here in last year's ARCA race.
McDowell beats 100-1 odds for upset Daytona 500 victory
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Michael McDowell was glued to Brad Keselowski's bumper, watching and waiting for his chance to win the Daytona 500. Denny Hamlin was trying for a record third-consecutive Daytona 500 victory, and the team he started with Michael Jordan was debuting with driver Bubba Wallace. Kyle Larson was back after nearly a year in exile for using a racial slur, and reigning Cup champion Chase Elliott was going for his first Daytona 500 win. And all the way at the back of the field, 1990 Daytona 500 winner Derrike Cope made what he said would be his final NASCAR start. “I wanted to make the pass to win the Daytona 500 and it ended up really bad,” Keselowski said.
The Latest: McDowell wins Daytona 500, 1st career victory
Denny Hamlin wins the first stage during the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Latest on the Daytona 500 (all times local):12:15 a.m.Michael McDowell won the Daytona 500 after Penske Racing teammates Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski wrecked on the final lap. Wallace became the Black driver to lead a lap in Daytona 500. Cope zipped past Earnhardt, who blew a tire with a mile to go, to win the 1990 Daytona 500. ___2 p.m.Bubba Wallace’s car failed inspection twice for the Daytona 500 and will have to start at the back of the field. Wallace drives a new entry owned by NBA great Michael Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin.
Rain washes out NASCAR's final practices for Daytona 500
“I think we proved as an industry last year that track time was a little overrated," said David Wilson, head of Toyota Racing Development. Heavy rain soaked the track early, though, prompting officials to shift gears before the Xfinity Series opener later Saturday. An ARCA series race also was scheduled for the middle of the day. “I'm fine without it,” said 2017 Daytona 500 winner Kurt Busch. ..."Obviously, we didn’t want to go to a backup car, but I think we’re still in a really good place for the 500.
Hendrick hesitant to change Bowman's engine before 500
48 team will ideally use Saturday's final two practice sessions to determine if the engine can make it 500 miles on Sunday. “We think the engine is OK, but we're undecided just yet,” said Knaus, who won the NASCAR title seven times as a crew chief. AdHendrick Motorsports suffered another blow when William Byron was involved in a crash in his qualifying race that destroyed his Chevrolet. Hendrick will now have only one car at the front of the Daytona 500 field — maybe none if Bowman's engine is deemed too risky not to change. The pole-sitter has not closed out a Daytona 500 victory since Dale Jarrett in 2000.
Hiccup for Hendrick Motorsports ahead of Daytona 500
Alex Bowman and William Byron were slated to lead the Daytona 500 field to green but that's in danger following Thursday night's qualifying races. Byron was collected in a crash in the second Duel and it ruined his Chevrolet. AdAustin Cindric and Kaz Grala both earned their first berths into the Daytona 500 by claiming the two available transfer positions in the Duels. He was the leader on the final lap of the second Duel until Dillon crossed to Wallace’s inside and inched ahead. “We’ve got an incredible race car and I can’t wait for the Daytona 500.”
Bowman, Byron give Hendrick sweep of Daytona 500 front row
Alex Bowman and William Byron swept the front row Wednesday night in qualifying for the Daytona 500, giving Hendrick its 14th pole and sixth in the last seven years. “Here it really just comes down to who built the fastest race car. It’s the fourth consecutive year Bowman will start from the front row, but he's got a completely new look this time. Only the front row was set Wednesday, the first time Daytona 500 qualifying has been held at night under a condensed Speedweeks schedule. “My motto is, ‘No more excuses.’”Hamlin, who is trying to become the first driver to win three consecutive Daytona 500s, was 12th.
Wallace sends Jordan to top of scoring pylon at Daytona 500
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Bubba Wallace sent Michael Jordan to the top of scoring pylon in the first Daytona 500 practice session for their new team and the first overall for NASCAR in more than 300 days. Wallace was selected as the driver in the first season of a new team that brought Jordan into NASCAR as a team owner. 23 Toyota for 23XI Racing, perhaps a promising sign he could be a force in the Daytona 500. NASCAR sets the front row for the Daytona 500 in Wednesday night’s qualifying session. His runner-up finish in the 2018 Daytona 500 was the best finish by a Black driver in the race.
Antonio Garcia tests positive for COVID-19 during Rolex 24
General Motors waited until the race concluded at Daytona International Speedway to announce the Spaniard had tested positive. He had a brief media availability Sunday morning, presumably before he learned he'd tested positive. Garcia was the second driver to test positive for COVID-19 during the Rolex weekend. Mathieu Jaminet was replaced by RWR Eurasia last week when he tested positive, and Black Swan Racing withdrew when owner/driver Tim Pappas tested positive. AdThe Rolex 24 is the opening event of the North American motorsports season and NASCAR and IMSA held it with limited spectators at Daytona.