Start your engines: Sarah Palin will attend Daytona 500

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Since Palin will be in town to address the greater Daytona Beach Chamber of Commerce on Monday, February 15, she has decided to catch the Daytona 500 on Sunday, the 14th. the Orlando Sentinel reports that the former governor has requested credentials to attend "The Great American Race" at Daytona International Speedway (DIS), regarded by many as the most important and prestigious event on NASCAR's calendar:

"We decided let's showcase her just like we would our mayor or our governor or anyone else," DIS President Robin Braig said on Saturday. "With NASCAR's blessing we probably will see her at the driver's meeting."

Before every NASCAR race, NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton introduces dignitaries who are invited to attend the drivers' meeting which have included actors, musicians, athletes and politicians in the past.

NASCAR's 2010 season kickoff race won't be the first time a Palin has put in an appearance at a NASCAR event. Sarah's spouse Todd Palin served as an honorary race official for the Sprint Cup race at Virginia's Martinsville Speedway in October of 2008. The former "First Dude" attended the drivers meeting, visited with drivers, crew members and other race officials in the pits, and participated in pre-race activities. Asked if he would want to take a few laps in a Sprint Cup car, the four-time snowmobile racing champion said, "Oh, I’d love to. I’d love to swap keys any day."

- JP