Pontiac to pace Daytona 500.

The 2003 edition of the Speedweeks of Daytona will be a high profile one indeed for Pontiac as not only will the 2003 Grand Prix Winston Cup car make its debut but the marque will provide the official pace car of the Daytona 500.

To celebrate both the new Pontiac Grand Prix race car and Grand Prix's role as the official pace car of the 2003 Daytona 500, fans will have the chance to write their own name in racing history be designing the ultimate Daytona pace car.

Teaming up with NASCAR.com, America Online and Electronic Arts, Pontiac will offer NASCAR fans the opportunity to submit proposals for the pace car's paint scheme through an innovative on-line system beginning on September 9, 2002.

Using a unique set of software programs, fans can unleash their creativity by electronically designing a complete pace car paint scheme on a three-dimensional model of the vehicle.

"Unlike most sweepstakes, this is really a contest of skill and creativity," said Kraut. "We know that NASCAR and Pontiac fans have a lot of enthusiasm and we wanted to tap into that passion for this new pace car,"

Five finalists will be chosen from all of the entries, then fans will get to vote on-line for the favourite design. Each of the five finalists will win a trip to the 2003 Daytona 500, where the winning design will be unveiled in a special ceremony just before the race.

The winner will receive a special parade lap around Daytona driven by Vin Diesel, star of the upcoming movie XXX.

Further details of the contest will be announced at a later date.