In conjunction with DIS and NASA milestones, green flags sent into space

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – When the Shuttle Atlantis lifts off from Kennedy Space Center on Thursday, Dec. 6, its payload will have a little something extra, compliments of Daytona International Speedway.

In conjunction with the historic 50th running of the Daytona 500 scheduled for Feb. 17, 2008, and the 50th anniversary of NASA in 2008, the orbiter will carry three green flags into space to celebrate the two milestones.

“We’re excited to be able to partner with NASA on this exciting project,” said Speedway President Robin Braig. “Stay tuned as we’ll have other exciting things to announce in the coming weeks.”

The flags will travel more than a million miles at 17,500 mph during the 12-day mission to deliver Columbus, a science research module to the International Space Station. The shuttle is scheduled to lift off at 4:31 p.m. EST.

Once back on earth, the winner of February’s Daytona 500 will take home a flag; one will hang in the Daytona 500 Experience and the final one will go to NASA.

Tickets for the 50th annual Daytona 500 and other DIRECTV Speedweeks events are still available by calling 1-800-PITSHOP or by calling www.racetickets.com