Daytona 500 Connection
From 1997-2010, the winning car from the Daytona 500 was displayed for the next 12 months at the Daytona 500 Experience. It was a popular but controversial display, and a highlight exhibit of the museum.
All winners were contractually required to surrender their winning car and all its parts, in uncleaned, complete, and unaltered condition, as explicitly specified on the race entry form. This practice was often criticized by participants because it prevents the team from driving the car (clearly a successful chassis) in the other races during the season. They argued it potentially put them at a competitive disadvantage during the rest of the NASCAR season, most notably at the other restrictor plate races. Only twice since this display arrangement was adopted in 1997 was the winner of the Daytona 500 able to take a different car, as required, and gone on to win the next restrictor plate race (Talladega). By the time the car is returned, approximately 364 days after the victory, it is usually considered obsolete and a write-off.
The morning after the race the winning car was inducted into the museum during the Champion's Breakfast ceremony. In some years, the driver's helmet, driving suit, and/or other race-used paraphernalia were also included for display.
Read more about this topic: Daytona 500 Experience
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