Coke Zero Sugar 400 – It’s Glorious Past You Need To Know About

NASCAR and Daytona race fans have looked forward to the Coke Zero Sugar 400 (more commonly known as the Coke Zero 400) event that has been held annually since 1959. This stock car race was first staged at the Daytona International Speedway with 160 laps, running for 400 miles (640 kilometers).

It is currently the second of the biggest stock car races held at the Cup Series circuit at Daytona. The first one being the Daytona 500 held in February.  

Since its first run and until 2019, the Coke Zero Sugar 400 was held around or during the US Independence Day weekend with a few exceptions. It was scheduled on the 1st Saturday of July in 1988 up to 2019, considering the closest day to July 4. 

The Story Behind The Name

Contrary to its current name, the race was not originally called the Coke Zero Sugar 400. It was known as the Pepsi 400 for many years. The event used to be sponsored by PepsiCo from 1984 until 2007. 

However, in 2008, the Coca-Cola Company took over the sponsorship as part of the multi-year deal between the International Speedway Corporation (ISC) and The Coca-Cola Company. 

Coke became the exclusive supplier of beverages in the tracks of the ISC, including Daytona. As part of this deal, Coke was also granted sponsorship title for the rights to the race. Consequently, the event was named Coke Zero 400 after the Coke Zero brand. 

In 2018, when Coke Zero became Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, the race event was also renamed Coke Zero Sugar 400.   

The Early Days Of Coke Zero Sugar 400

The Coke Zero Sugar 400 has had a long and colorful history. Besides making big names in the racing scene, it’s past is something worth revisiting.

Firecracker 250

Even before the opening of the Daytona track, including the first Daytona 500, there were already plans to stage a 300-mile USAC Championship for Indycars. Unfortunately, that event was not pursued. Instead, the Daytona 500 and the Firecracker 250 were first held in the same year, 1959. Since then, with few changes in schedules, the Daytona 500 heralds the start of the NASCAR season, while the current Coke Zero Sugar 400 is the final race of NASCAR’s regular season.

The Indycar event was scheduled for Independence Day weekend of 1959. The race was scrapped due to the high speeds and crashes, which led to the death of 2 drivers. In place of the Indycar races, Bill France Sr. organized a NASCAR race over 100-laps covering 250 miles on the Daytona track. It was named the Firecracker 250, referring to the July 4 fireworks. 

Firecracker 400 

After four years of growing attendance, the race was expanded to 160 laps and 400 miles. The race was renamed Firecracker 400 to reflect the race distance, and the name was used from 1963 to 1984. 

Although the Firecracker 400 remained a mid-season race, it has seen technological advancements to improve speed and safety. In 1966, the first rear spoiler was used. The 1965 NASCAR Rookie of the Year driver, Sam McQuagg, won the Firecracker 400 on a 1966 Dodge charger fitted with a rear spoiler. The spoiler made the car more aerodynamic and cut off precious seconds in lap times. McQuagg finished more than 66 seconds ahead of second-place finisher Darel Dieringer.

For safety reasons, restrictor plates were first used in 1988. This followed the introduction of a smaller carburetor specification for the 1987 race. These measures were introduced for safety purposes following Bobby Allison’s crash at Talladega. On July 4, 1987, Ken Schrader flipped his car as the racing field crossed the finish line. These unfortunate accidents prompted the organizers to include safety in the above safety measures.

Restrictor plates were first introduced in NASCAR races in 1971. These were a source of controversy because of issues with different engine sizes and specifications. The restrictor plate allows for less air to flow through the carburetor, effectively restricting a car from reaching top acceleration and speed. This, in turn, leads to slower times and a safer race.

The 1998 race was planned to be a milestone introducing innovations that would improve attendance and TV viewership. A lights project was started in 1997 to allow for night racing. The 1998 race was also slated to be the first night-time race with restrictor plates. Unfortunately, 1998 saw wildfires raging in Florida, and the race was postponed, while the Daytona raceway was used as a firefighter staging area. The race was moved to October and returned to July the following year. It has remained as a night race. 

Pepsi Firecracker 400

In 1985, PepsiCo became the ISC’s first major event sponsor, and the race became known as the Pepsi Firecracker 400. In 1989, the “Firecracker” was dropped, and the race became known as Pepsi 400. It kept its name until 2007. Between 1998 to 2002, the race was subtitled as “Pepsi 400 at Daytona” because there was another Pepsi 400 race held at Michigan. 

Coke Zero 400

In 2008, Coke became the official exclusive beverage sponsor of ISC events. With the signing of the contract between ISC and Coca-Cola, the race became known as the Coca-Cola Zero 400. The name was used for ten years. In 2018, NASCAR, ISC, and Coca-Cola signed an agreement to renew and extend the sponsorship for another six years. The race name will remain as a signature Coca-Cola NASCAR sponsorship until 2023. 

Even before the sponsorship, Coca-Cola has been involved in NASCAR racing for over fifty years. The NASCAR branding has wide name recognition and weight in the United States, particularly in the southern states. 

Coke Zero Sugar 400

In 2018, Coke rebranded Coke Zero to Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, the race name followed suit and was also renamed the Coke Zero Sugar 400. In recent years, the race has become well-known for its close finishes, multiple high-speed vehicle crashes under the night lights, and the impressive fireworks display during the post-race celebrations.

The rebranding from Coke Zero to Coca-Cola Zero Sugar is not just a change in names. The name itself underlines the zero-calorie and no sugar content of the drink. At the same time, it was reformulated to taste more like a regular Coke drink. Using the Coca-Cola Zero Sugar brand on one of the most important NASCAR races puts further emphasis and reach for the drink. It creates an image and message to NASCAR fans. Coca-Cola has the perfect market for Zero Sugar with the two hours 400-mile race at the Daytona International Speedway.

Past Winners of the Coke Zero 400

The Coke Zero 400 has produced numerous of today’s iconic drivers’ first career NASCAR Grand National/Cup Series victories. Below are the past winners since the first race in 1959, down to the lastest race.

• Fireball Roberts (1959, 1962 and 1963)

Fireball Roberts won the first-ever Coke Zero 400 event under Jim Stephens’ team driving a Pontiac on July 4, 1959. After losing to Smith, Roberts won two consecutive Coke Zero 400 races on July 4, 1962, and 1963, under teams run by Banjo Matthews and Holman-Moody, respectively. Robert drove a Pontiac in 62′ and a Ford on 63′.

• Jack Smith (1960)

Fireball Roberts lost his crown against Jack Smith on July 4, 1960, Coke Zero 400 driving a Pontiac.

• David Pearson (1961, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1978)

David Pearson overtook Jack Smith on the 1961 annual Coke Zero 400 under John Masoni’s team driving a Pontiac. Years later, he took over Bobby Isaac and won the Coke Zero 400 race for three consecutive years, starting from July 4, 1972, to July 4, 1974, managed by Wood Brothers Racing for those years. Pearson drove a Mercury throughout his three wins.

David Pearson snatched his fifth win on July 4, 1978, managed by the Wood Brothers Racing team again—and drove Mercury to victory, just like he did back to back a few years earlier.

• A.J. Foyt (1964 and 1965)

Fireball Roberts got his consecutive wins disrupted by A.J. Foyt. He won the Coke Zero 400 race on July 4, 1964, and 1965, under Ray Nichels and Wood Brothers Racing teams. Foyt drove a Dodge in 1964 and a Ford in 1965.

• Sam McQuagg (1966)

A.J. Foyt got dethroned by Sam McQuagg on July 4, 1966, where he drove a Dodge to victory. Ray Nichels’ team managed Foyt at the time.

• Cale Yarborough (1967, 1968, 1976, and 1981)

Cale Yarborough won the Coke Zero 400 on July 4, 1967, and 1968, where he was coached by the Wood Brothers during the two years, earning him two swift victories. Yarborough drove a Ford in 1967 and a Mercury in 1968. After several years, Yarborough made a comeback on July 4, 1976, snatching yet another Coke Zero 400 win. He was run by a team managed by Junior Johnson & Associates and won the event using a Buick.

Cale Yarborough made yet another comeback on July 4, 1981, managed by the M.C. Anderson Racking team, and drove a Buick to another win.

• LeeRoy Yarbrough (1969)

LeeRoy Yarbrough took Cale Yarborough’s place as the Coke Zero 400 Grand Champion on July 4, 1969, operated by the Junior Johnson & Associates. Yarbrough drove a Ford during the race.

• Donnie Allison (1970)

Donnie Allison won the Coke Zero 400 race on July 4, 1970, under Banjo Matthews’ team, racing his way to victory with a Ford.

• Bobby Isaac (1971)

Bobby Isaac took Donnie Allison’s crown and won the Coke Zero 400 race on July 4, 1971, under a team managed by Nord Krauskopf. Isaac drove a Dodge to victory.

• Richard Petty (1975, 1977, and 1984)

Richard Petty stopped Pearson’s streak by winning the Coke Zero 400 on July 4, 1975, where he had a team under his own company, Petty Enterprises. Petty drove a Dodge during his race. Petty won the Coke Zero 400 race again on July 4, 1977, marking his second win. He had a team under his company, Petty Enterprises, the same year and drove a Dodge again.

Richard Petty won his last Coke Zero 400 race on July 4, 1984, managed by the Curb Racing Team, and drove a Pontiac to victory.

• Neil Bonnett (1979)

Neil Bonnett won his first-ever Coke Zero 400 race with the Wood Brothers Racing team’s help on July 4, 1979, using a Mercury like Pearson.

• Bobby Allison (1980, 1982, and 1987)

Bobby Allison won his first Coke Zero 400 on July 4, 1980, managed by Bud Moore Engineering, driving a classic Mercury. Allison came back with another win on July 4, 1982, run by Digard Motorsports, where he drove a Buick to another victory. Finally, Allison won his last Coke Zero 400 race on July 4, 1987, under the Stavola Brothers Racing team using a Buick.

• Buddy Baker (1983)

Buddy Baker stopped Petty’s streak on July 4, 1983, winning the Coke Zero 400 race under the Wood Brothers Racing team using a Ford.

• Greg Sacks (1985)

Greg Sacks won the July 4, 1985, Coke Zero 400 race, managed by the Digard Motorsports Racing team using a Chevrolet.

• Tim Richmond (1986)

Tim Richmond grabbed the crown and won the Coke Zero 400 race on July 4, 1986, under Hendrick Motorsports, sporting a Chevrolet on the track.

• Bill Elliott (1988 and 1991)

Another contender, Bill Elliot, won the Coke Zero 400 race on July 2, 1988, under the Melling Racing team using a Ford. Elliot snatched his second win three years later on July 6, 1991, managed by the same team and sporting the same stock car—Ford.

• Davey Allison (1989)

Davey Allison won the Coke Zero 400 race only July 1, 1989, managed by the Robert Yates Racing team, adding another win for Ford.

• Dale Earnhardt (1990 and 1993)

One of the best NASCAR drivers of all time, Dale Earnhardt won his first Coke Zero 400 on July 7, 1990, working alongside Richard Childress Racing driving a Chevrolet. Earnhardt grabbed another win three years later on July 3, 1993, under the same racing team and the same stock car.

• Ernie Irvan (1992 )

Ernie Irvan won the Coke Zero 400 race on July 4, 1992, under the Morgan-McClure Motorsports Racing team, sporting a Chevrolet.

• Jimmy Spencer (1994)

Official NASCAR driver Jimmy Spencer won the Coke Zero 400 race on July 2, 1994, working alongside racing organization Junior Johnson & Associates, using a Ford.

• Jeff Gordon (1995, 1998, and 2004)

Currently an announcer for Fox NASCAR and executive of Hendrick Motorsports, Jeff Gordon won three Coke Zero 400 races in his racing career, with the first one being on July 1, 1995, next on October 17, 2004, and the first two-day event on July 3 to 4, 2004. He worked alongside his company, Hendrick Motorsports, and drove the same stock car during his three wins—the Chevrolet.

• Sterling Marlin (1996)

Sterling Marlin is a well-decorated man, winning two Daytona 500 races in 1994 and 1995, and his only Coke Zero 400 race on July 6, 1996, under Morgan-McClure Motorsports, sporting a Chevrolet.

• John Andretti (1997)

John Andretti won several races throughout his career, with NASCAR being the most notable one, and won his only Coke Zero 400 race on July 5, 1997, working alongside Cale Yarborough Motorsports driving a Ford.

• Dale Jarrett (1999)

Dale Jarrett is famously known for winning the NASCAR Winston Cup Series Championship in 1999—where he also won the annual Coke Zero 400 race the same year, working alongside Rober Yates Racing using a Ford.

• Jeff Burton (2000)

Jeff Burton is a well-decorated racecar driver, earning 21 NASCAR Cup Series wins and won his only Coke Zero 400 race on July 1, 2000, managed by Roush Racing using a Ford.

The Future of Coke Zero Sugar 400

Coca-Cola is an avid supporter of major sports and NASCAR is one of their top endorsement deals. Their deal with ISC and NASCAR was primarily noteworthy because they replaced PepsiCo. Additionally, Coca-Cola is the exclusive beverage supplier for all the NASCAR and ISC events. The Coca-Cola Zero Sugar 400 has become a culminating activity where the teams and drivers are motivated to win. As the last race in the regular season, a good performance at the Coca-Cola Zero Sugar 400 gives the driver a big chance of making it to the playoffs. 

For the foreseeable future the prestigious race will remain as the Coca-Cola Zero Sugar 400 with the continuing sponsorship of Coca-Cola up to 2023.

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