1961 Daytona 500 Champ Marvin Panch To Throw First Pitch In Devil Rays-Dodgers Game

Marvin Panch, the 1961 Daytona 500 champion, will toss the ceremonial first pitch at Tropicana Field on Friday, June 22 as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays face off against the Los Angeles Dodgers (TV - FSN Florida, 7 p.m.).

On the brink of the Pepsi 400 Weekend on July 5-7 at historic Daytona International Speedway, Panch's participation in the pre-game festivities is part of the Ray's Racing Night celebration.

Also planned for the night will be a display of various NASCAR stock cars including Panch's 1961 winning Daytona 500 car, which he will drive to the mound for the first pitch, and the 2007 Pepsi 400 Chevrolet Monte Carlo pace car.

In addition to the special Daytona International Speedway giveaways throughout the evening's game, Panch will participate in a 45-minute autograph session before the game.

The Pepsi 400, the mid-summer classic, is an Independence Day Weekend tradition featuring the stars of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series under the lights at the "World Center Of Racing."

Tony Stewart will be hunting for a record third consecutive Pepsi 400 victory in this year's 160-lap, 400-mile event. The driver of the No. 20 Home Depot Chevrolet will attempt to tie David Pearson's record of three straight Pepsi 400 wins (1972-74).

Also scheduled for the Pepsi 400 Weekend will be the sixth annual Winn-Dixie 250 presented by PepsiCo and Circle K Pole Qualifying Day for the Pepsi 400 on Friday, July 6 and the Brumos Porsche 250 Rolex Series race on Thursday night, July 5.

For tickets to Racing Night with the Devil Rays, fans can call 1-888-FAN-RAYS or visit www.devilrays.com/racing

Tickets for Daytona International Speedway events, including the Pepsi 400 Weekend, are available online at www.racetickets.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.