#49 Toyota running in the 2012 Daytona 500. Photo: America Israel Racing.

It’s called the Great American Race.  Started on the sandy beaches of Florida in 1959 by one of America’s most influential racing figures of all time – Bill France Sr. – The Daytona 500 kicks off each and every NASCAR season en route to The Sprint Cup Championship.

Close to 200,000 people will descend upon Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, February 26th, and this year, they’ll see something they’ve never seen before – the American-Israeli alliance moving at nearly 200 miles per hour against the 2.5 mile asphalt track.

America Israel Racing is teaming up with Robinson-Blakeney Racing to place J.J. Yeley, the NASCAR  veteran with 7 top 10 finishes in last year’s Sprint Cup Series into the #49 Toyota to compete for NASCAR’s most infamous prize – the Daytona 500.

Taken from their website, American Israel Racing says, “We chose NASCAR because of our love for the sport and the fact it is the number one spectator sport in America. NASCAR h as more events among the 20 highest-attended annually than any other sport and has the second highest rated regular season on television. This amazing reach will allow American Israel Racing to spread its message of Israeli support to the masses in a fun, unique and interactive manner.”