DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Two-time Grammy winner and Sony recording artist Kelly Clarkson will headline the NEXTEL Tribute To America, the pre-race extravaganza leading up to “The Great American Race” -- the prestigious Daytona 500 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race on Sunday, Feb. 18 (1:00 pm ET on FOX).

Clarkson will perform in the NEXTEL-sponsored show, which will be carried live on FOX Sports. The NEXTEL Tribute To America pays tribute to music as the fabric of America and will feature thousands of cast members on the Speedway’s historic five-acre tri-oval grass.

“We’re delighted to have one of the most popular singers in the world entertain the race fans in attendance as well as the live television audience on FOX,” Daytona International Speedway President Robin Braig said. “The most prestigious NASCAR event will get off to a roaring start with this unforgettable pre-race show that’s fitting for the biggest and most watched motorsports event in America.”

For the past three years, the NEXTEL Tribute to America featured a who’s who list of entertainers including the rock band Bon Jovi, country music superstar Clint Black, Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson, John Ondrasik and “Five For Fighting,” singer/actress Vanessa Williams, singer Lee Greenwood, singer LeAnn Rimes and the Bethune-Cookman College Marching Wildcats.

Tickets for the Daytona 500 as well as other Speedweeks 2007 events are available online at http://www.racetickets.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.