Race fans think Dale Earnhardt, Jr. pretty handy with magic markers

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. –– Dale Earnhardt, Jr., according to race fans, is as handy with magic markers as he is with a steering wheel.

The 2004 Daytona 500 winner Earnhardt, Jr, leads fellow NASCAR Nextel Cup driver Jimmie Johnson in the quest to design the 2008 Daytona 500 ticket in Daytona International Speedway’s “Celebrity Tickets for Charity” design competition.  Earnhardt, Jr., has claimed 29 percent of the votes cast while Jimmie Johnson, 2006 Daytona 500 winner, has claimed 20 percent.     

Other DAYTONA 500 winners Kevin Harvick and Mario Andretti, TV host Kelly Ripa, action sport legend Tony Hawk, NFL standout Michael Strahan and other sports stars, musicians and television personalities have put their artistic talents to the test to help commemorate the 50th running of NASCAR’s crown jewel stock car race, the 2008 DAYTONA 500.  Fans can visit www.DAYTONA500.com to see ticket designs and vote for their favorite.  While there, fans can also purchase the winning collectible ticket to the most anticipated race in motorsports history.     

The top 10 most popular designs, based on fan voting, along with the members of a blue ribbon panel that will determine the winner, will be announced at Michigan International Speedway Friday, June 15. The winning design will be announced during the Pepsi 400 (July 5-7) weekend in Daytona Beach.

All original celebrity artwork will be auctioned online with the proceeds benefiting The Jeff Gordon Foundation, which supports children with life-threatening diseases.

Along with Earnhardt, Jr., and Johnson, Rick Hendrick with Parker Fristch, Rick Hendrick with Samantha Washko, Harvick, Chad Knaus, Kurt Busch, Tony Hawk, Marvin Panch and Rick Hendrick with Garrett Drew have a strong showing among the fans.

To purchase what TicketNews.com recently called the “hottest” ticket in motorsports – the 2008 Daytona 500 – or any other 2008 DirecTV Speedweeks at Daytona events, including the Daytona 300 NASCAR Busch Series race, the Chevy Silverado HD 250 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race, the Gatorade Duel at Daytona, Bud Pole Qualifying for the Daytona 500, ARCA 200 and the Budweiser Shootout, visit www.racetickets.com or call 1-800-PITSHOP.