A word of warning for the Cup Series driver who wins Sunday’s inaugural race on the Daytona road course (3 p.m. ET on NBC).
When you’re celebrating the victory, don’t get too excited with the trophy.
It could wind up all over Victory Lane.
That’s because the trophy waiting at the end of the 65-lap/234.65-mile-race is made out of glass.
More: Will chaos (and rain) reign on the Daytona road course?
The 18” tall/4.5” wide trophy for the Daytona road course race was produced by the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, New York. It’s the same institution that’s been responsible for designing the Watkins Glen International trophy since 2012.
Sunday’s race is being held in the place of the Cup Series’ annual visit to Watkins Glen.
Incorporating a blown glass cup, the trophy is inspired by the history of NASCAR and racing at Daytona.
“Thinking about the history of the track and long-held traditions, I was reminded that historically, trophies used to be cups and have evolved into sculptural forms,” said Eric Meek, Sr. Manager of Hot Glass Programs at The Corning Museum of Glass, said in a media release. “We took this trophy back to a more traditional shape. Daytona is the most historical track, and in thinking about a trophy design for a race held in this storied location, I was transported back to the golden age of speed. I wanted to design something that felt like a bit of a throwback – like it belonged in the era of streamline racers and the quest to go faster.”