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NASCAR: Tickets Now On Sale for the 2026 DAYTONA 500

By
Stephanie Harris
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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (June 11, 2025) – Daytona International Speedway announced today that tickets are now on sale for NASCAR’s 2026 season opener the DAYTONA 500. The 68th running of The Great American Race takes to the track on Sunday, February 15, 2026.

“The DAYTONA 500 is the crown jewel race on the NASCAR schedule and we’re ready to invite everyone back to The World Center of Racing with tickets officially going on sale,” said Frank Kelleher, President of Daytona International Speedway. “This iconic race continues to be a captivating event for fans that travel all over the world and we know that it’s going to be another unforgettable event here next February.”

This past February, fans were able to witness another thrilling edition of the DAYTONA 500. A caution with five laps to go sent the 67th DAYTONA 500 into overtime. On the final lap in overtime, William Byron claimed his second straight DAYTONA 500 victory by avoiding a crash on the backstretch and propelled past everyone from ninth to first place in an unbelievable finish. This served as the record 10th DAYTONA 500 win for Hendrick Motorsports, the most for any team in DAYTONA 500 history.

Though fans will have to wait until next year for the 68th running of The Great American Race, taking place on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026, NASCAR racing will be back at Daytona International Speedway in just a couple months.

The Coke Zero Sugar 400 race weekend returns on Aug. 22-23, in the regular season finale for the NASCAR Cup Series, where those in attendance can witness all the intensity of superspeedway racing at DAYTONA in the last chance for drivers to make the Playoffs. Last August, Harrison Burton shuffled up the Playoff picture as he earned his first career Cup Series victory and the historic Wood Brothers Racing team’s 100th career Cup Series victory. With the final playoff spots up for grabs and the unpredictability of superspeedway racing, anything can happen at DAYTONA.

To purchase tickets to the 2026 DAYTONA 500, or to find more details regarding the upcoming Coke Zero Sugar 400 race weekend, please visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com.

About Daytona International Speedway 
Daytona International Speedway is a state-of-the-art motorsports facility and was awarded the SportsBusiness Journal’s prestigious Sports Business Award for Sports Facility of the Year in 2016. Daytona International Speedway is the home of The Great American Race – the DAYTONA 500. Though the season-opening NASCAR Cup Series event garners most of the attention – as well as the largest audience in motorsports – the approximately 500-acre motorsports complex, also known as the World Center of Racing, boasts the most diverse schedule of racing on the globe. Some of the exciting racing events include January’s Rolex 24 At DAYTONA and Roar Before The Rolex 24, February’s DAYTONA 500 and Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth, March’s Bike Week At DAYTONA Presented By GEICO, featuring DAYTONA Supercross and the DAYTONA 200, the August Coke Zero Sugar 400 weekend, and much more. The Speedway grounds are also used extensively for other events that include concerts (Welcome to Rockville, Heroes Honor Festival, etc.), sporting events (DAYTONA Soccer Fest, CLASH DAYTONA, etc.) civic and social gatherings, car shows, photo shoots, production vehicle testing and police motorcycle training.

About NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 14 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Series, NASCAR Canada Series, NASCAR Euro Series, NASCAR Mexico Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in five cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 11 countries and more than 30 U.S. states.

For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, X and Facebook.

“Let’s Talk Palm Coast” Town Hall Series Launches This Summer

By
Shannon Martin
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Palm Coast—The City of Palm Coast is launching a new town hall series called “Let’s Talk Palm Coast,” offering residents the chance to meet face-to-face with their City Council Members, ask questions, and learn more about the inner workings of their local government.

The first event in the series will be held on Wednesday, June 25, at 6 p.m. in the Waterfront Room at the Palm Coast Community Center, where residents can meet with Vice Mayor Theresa Pontieri in a relaxed and conversational setting. This new initiative provides an open forum for residents to share feedback, ask questions, and engage in meaningful dialogue about city services, community development, and the future of Palm Coast.

Following the kickoff event, Council Member Ty Miller will host the next town hall on Thursday, July 24, at 5 p.m. at the Southern Recreation Center’s second floor. Council Member David Sullivan will follow on Thursday, August 21, at 5 p.m. in the Waterfront Room at the Community Center, and Council Member Charles Gambaro Jr. will round out the series on Thursday, September 18, at 5 p.m., again at the Southern Recreation Center’s second floor.

The City is committed to offering more opportunities for residents to engage with their elected leaders in ways that are personal, approachable, and informative. These town halls are free and open to the public, but due to limited seating, residents are encouraged to register in advance.

To reserve your spot at any of the upcoming “Let’s Talk Palm Coast” town halls, visit www.parksandrec.fun and type “town hall” into the search bar.

Whether you’re curious about city projects, want to voice a concern, or simply want to get more involved, “Let’s Talk Palm Coast” is your opportunity to be heard, stay informed, and help shape the future of our community.

Stay informed with the latest news and information from the City of Palm Coast by following us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. You can sign up for weekly updates by visiting www.palmcoastgov.com/government/city-manager/week-in-review

City of Flagler Beach to Host Public Engagement Meeting on Pier Project

By
Danielle Anderson
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The City of Flagler Beach invites the public to attend a community outreach meeting on the upcoming Pier Replacement Project. With construction set to begin in the coming weeks, the meeting will provide residents, business owners, and other stakeholders with important information about the project timeline, construction impacts, and what to expect during each phase of work.

“Residents and business will receive valuable information regarding the upcoming Pier Replacement Project,” Chris Novak, City of Flagler Beach Project Manager, shares, “I encourage everyone to attend.”

The meeting is open to the public, and no RSVP is required.

Meeting Details
Date: Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Inside the Santa Maria del Mar Catholic Church, 915 N Central Avenue, Flagler Beach

Palm Coast City Council Workshop Meeting on June 10, at 6 p.m.

By
Shannon Martin
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Palm Coast—The Palm Coast City Council meets regularly to discuss and vote on official City business. These meetings are open to the public, and Palm Coast residents are strongly encouraged to attend. An increase in public engagement helps to build a stronger sense of community, increase valuable discussions, and decrease division.
The agenda for the City Council Workshop Meeting on Tuesday, June 10, at 6 p.m. will be as follows:
Presentations
The following presentations will be presented:
 
  1. The Community Development department will present an ordinance that proposes amending Chapter 29 of the City Code to adjust transportation impact fees. The adjustment is based on a comprehensive technical report and an extraordinary circumstances study prepared by LTG, Inc., and NUE Urban Concepts, LLC. The ordinance aims to update the fee structure using the most recent and localized data, as required by Florida Statutes.
  2. The Financial Services Department will present presentations from the top two-ranked firms for independent auditor services. In accordance with the City’s auditor selection procedures, James Moore & Co. and Mauldin & Jenkins will each deliver a presentation and participate in a Q&A session as part of the competitive selection process for the new 5-year contract.
  3. The Fire Department will present an overview that will highlight current operational effectiveness, the three pillars of successful fire service provision, and future opportunities to support upcoming budget planning.
  4. The Parks and Recreation department will present an overview of existing ordinances that govern the City’s parks, trails, and recreational facilities. The presentation will support ongoing efforts to ensure public spaces remain safe, welcoming, and enjoyable for all users.
  5. The Parks and Recreation department will present an overview of Florida Statute 943.0438 and its recent amendment regarding background checks for athletic coaches in independent youth sports organizations. The presentation will also review the City’s current volunteer policies and provide examples from other Florida municipalities.
 
Public Comments will be opened at the beginning and end of the business meeting in accordance with Section 286.0114 Florida Statutes and pursuant to the City Council’s Meeting Policies and Procedures. Each speaker will approach the podium, provide his/her name, and may speak for up to 3 minutes.

Proclamations and award presentations during evening business meetings will now begin at 5:30 p.m., 30 minutes before the meeting start time. Additionally, public comments on non-agenda items will be limited to 30 minutes at the beginning and end of each meeting. This schedule is subject to change due to holidays or other unforeseen circumstances. Residents are encouraged to visit the Palm Coast City Council meeting webpage for the latest schedule and agenda updates.
Business meetings and workshops are open to the public and are streamed live on the City’s YouTube channel. Meeting agendas for all public meetings are posted in advance of each meeting on the City’s website. All agendas can be viewed here.
If you wish to obtain more information regarding the City Council’s agenda, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 386-986-3713. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing assistance to participate in any of these proceedings should contact the City Clerk at 386-986-3713, at least 48 hours before the meeting.
Stay informed with the latest news and information from the City of Palm Coast by following us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. You can sign up for weekly updates by visiting www.palmcoastgov.com/government/city-manager/week-in-review

Leadership Lessons with Dr. Saviak … Changing Company Culture

By
Dr. Joe Saviak
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As a leader you will inherit a culture you did not create at some point in your career. You need the right culture for success. How do you change culture?

1. Strong and sustained commitment by leadership

2. Ton of communication – explain why change is needed – how we will be and do better with change – make it clear why change is needed – what the problems are – why these solutions will work

3. Model the thinking and behaviors

4. Incentives and disincentives – economic and social

5. Leverage influencers/culture carriers – culture spreads horizontally and vertically

6. Never place a legacy culture person on a strong new culture team

7. Change thinking to change behavior and change behavior to change thinking

8. Be patient – give everyone time to change

9. Do not reward or encourage or protect the old culture – recognize/reward examples of culture change from old to new

10. Continually communicate/celebrate new culture success – better results

11. Make head and heart arguments

12. Identify why legacy culture members are holding on to it and work on their reasons – recognize there can be emotional/social/brain reasons why people resist changing from a culture that doesn’t work/not grounded in current reality

13. Protect the new culture

14. Pay attention if a legacy culture member is in a leadership position or has an audience

15. Let legacy culture members leave – if they have been given a lot of opportunity to change and they want no part of it, don’t keep investing time and effort – let them leave/retire – do not let them stay in key leadership roles without changing

16. Always hire and promote the new culture – at some point, it’s the law of numbers and the legacy culture dwindles due to converts and the infusion of new employees

17. Use all the tools – recruiting, hiring, evaluations, promotions, training, policy, technology, facilities, supervision, awards, etc. in the leadership toolbox – to create and sustain the right culture.

Sources: Abrashoff, 2002; Blanchard, 2011; Collins, 2001; Drucker, 2001; Grant, 2017; Kotter, 2012; Lencioni, 2012; Maxwell, 1998; Welch, 2005.

#LeadershipLessonsWithDrSaviak

 

City of Palm Coast Invites Residents to Apply for Charter Review Committee

By
Brittany N. Kershaw
-

Palm Coast, FL—The Palm Coast City Council is encouraging residents to take an active role in shaping the future of local government by applying to serve on the Charter Review Committee. This citizen-led group will be responsible for evaluating and recommending potential updates to the City Charter—the foundational document that guides how the City operates.

Members appointed to the committee will serve a one-year term and play a key role in ensuring the Charter continues to reflect the needs, values, and priorities of the Palm Coast community. The committee will be made up of five members. Each City Council Member and the Mayor will appoint one resident at-large, who may reside in any district.

Once formed, the committee will conduct a thorough review of the existing City Charter to identify outdated language, inconsistencies, or areas that may benefit from clarification or modernization. As part of a transparent and inclusive process, the committee will also engage with the public to gather feedback and hear community perspectives. Based on its findings and community input, the committee will recommend potential amendments to the Charter.

If any changes are proposed, the committee will work with City Council and staff to prepare clear and accurate ballot language. All proposed amendments must be reviewed and approved by the City Council before being presented to voters in a public referendum. While charter reviews are required every ten years, they can be initiated sooner if the City Council determines a need.

The application period to serve on the Charter Review Committee opens on May 19, 2025, and will close at 5:00 p.m. on June 18, 2025. The City Council will make the appointments at the July 15th City Council Business Meeting. Residents who are passionate about civic engagement and want to help guide the future of Palm Coast are encouraged to apply.

To learn more or to submit an application, please visit https://www.palmcoast.gov/council/charter-committee.

Take this opportunity to help shape the future of Palm Coast by applying to serve on the Charter Review Committee today!

Stay informed with the latest news and information from the City of Palm Coast by following us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. You can sign up for weekly updates by visiting www.palmcoastgov.com/government/city-manager/week-in-review

Bunnell History Day Schedule of Events

By
Danielle Anderson
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City of Palm Coast Wins Statewide Planning Award for Imagine 2050 Comprehensive Plan Update

By
Brittany N. Kershaw
-

Palm Coast, FL – The City of Palm Coast was honored with the 2025 Florida Planning and Zoning Association’s Outstanding Public Outreach & Community Involvement Award for its exceptional public engagement efforts during the Imagine 2050 Comprehensive Plan update. The award was presented on Friday during the 72nd Annual FPZA Conference at the Casa Monica Hotel & Spa in St. Augustine.

Acting City Manager Lauren Johnston, Director of Communications & Marketing Brittany Kershaw, Deputy Director of Community Development Ray Tyner, Senior Planner Jose Papa, and Planners Estelle Lens and Michael Hanson accepted the award on behalf of the City. They were joined by JB Pro consultants Kathie Ebaugh and Nick Hill.

Earlier in the week, Tyner and Kershaw, alongside consultant partners from JBPro, hosted a featured 90-minute session at the conference titled Balancing Growth through Community Voices. The session offered a detailed roadmap of Palm Coast’s engagement strategy, guiding attendees through the innovative and extensive process that earned statewide recognition.

Imagine 2050: City on the Rise is Palm Coast’s visionary update to its Comprehensive Plan, designed to capture the voice of a growing community. Since the last major update in 2010, the city’s population has grown by 28%, prompting the need for a strategic, community-centered approach to future development. Through a wide-reaching engagement strategy—including pop-up events, civic group meetings, student outreach, a dedicated interactive project website, social media campaigns, and more—the City reached nearly 82,000 residents.

Palm Coast’s outreach strategy was noted for its adaptability and effectiveness in gathering actionable feedback. The result was a set of clearly defined Vision and Guiding Principles, shaping new goals, objectives, and policies—along with specific updates to address economic development, future expansion, and property rights.

Imagine 2050 reflects the community’s values and priorities and sets a new standard for public involvement in city planning across Florida.

To learn more about the Imagine 2050 Comprehensive Plan, visit www.palmcoast.gov/Imagine2050. The plan was adopted by City Council exactly one month ago, on May 6, 2025.

Stay informed with the latest news and information from the City of Palm Coast by following us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. You can sign up for weekly updates by visiting www.palmcoastgov.com/government/city-manager/week-in-review.

AdventHealth Provides Hundreds of Free Screenings to Flagler County Students

By
Michelle Bartlome
-

PALM COAST, Fla., June 4, 2025 – Over two days in May, Flagler Palm Coast High School wasn’t just a place for homework and homeroom – it became a pop-up clinic where more than 800 students received free sports physicals and heart screenings, courtesy of AdventHealth.

The annual event is designed to clear students for sports, JROTC, band, and fire academy activities. But, it’s also about something bigger: catching health issues early, connecting families to care, and making sure no child misses out due to lack of access.

“Think of it like a pre-season checkup with a safety net,” said Erik Nason, director of strategic partnership operations at AdventHealth. “We’re not just signing forms. We’re making sure kids are ready to compete and stay healthy while doing it.”

In total, 777 physicals and 841 electrocardiogram (ECG) screenings were completed.

Fourteen percent of students who came through the doors shared that they don’t currently have a primary care physician – a statistic that underscores the importance of accessible care.

“Families are busy. Appointments are hard to get. Insurance can be a hurdle. That’s why we bring care directly to where students are,” said Nason. “For some, this might be the only check-in with a health care provider all year. And in rare cases, it could be the one moment that prevents a tragedy. When you think about it like that, it’s not just a physical – it’s peace of mind.”

This annual event has already made a lifesaving difference for students like Brogan Kelly, whose ECG detected a potentially fatal heart condition, and Ethan Piazza, whose diagnosis led to treatment – and later, inspired his family to volunteer.

“Our mission is to extend the healing ministry of Christ,” Nason added. “That means showing up, not just in hospitals, but in high school gyms, side-by-side with our neighbors.”

For AdventHealth, the screenings reflect a larger commitment: reinvesting in the health of the neighborhoods they serve. In 2023 alone, AdventHealth contributed more than $16 billion to Florida’s economy and millions toward unreimbursed care and community initiatives across the state.

Martin Truex Jr Foundation and The NASCAR Foundation Team Up for Sixth Annual Honor a Cancer Hero Online Auction

By
Kendall Lambert
-

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (June 3, 2025) – The NASCAR Foundation and the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation (MTJF) announced today the Honor a Cancer Hero online auction presented by AdventHealth is now open for the sixth consecutive year.

“We are grateful to the fans, AdventHealth, and The NASCAR Foundation for supporting our honor a cancer hero program,” said NASCAR champion Martin Truex Jr. “I am honored to be a part of this incredible program recognizing cancer heroes. It’s been inspiring to see the teams, drivers and fans get behind this program to make it a success each year.”

The online auction allows NASCAR fans to display their personal cancer hero’s name on the signature panel of their favorite NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series driver’s car during the race weekend at Daytona International Speedway on Aug. 22-23. Cars in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series will have names displayed during the following race weekend at Darlington on Aug. 30.

Proceeds from the online auction will benefit MTJF and The NASCAR Foundation, two organizations recognized as champions for the health and well-being of others. Since 2020, the auction has raised over $500,000.

“This program is one of our most rewarding initiatives, as we get to really visualize the impact we make on people’s lives and honor their loved ones by displaying their names on cars across the sport,” said Nichole Krieger, Vice President & Executive Director of The NASCAR Foundation. “Paying tribute to our cancer heroes and seeing how NASCAR has touched their lives is the reason we do all we can to continually support our racing communities.”

The top bidders for the NASCAR Xfinity and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series auction will be extended an invitation for two to the Wawa 250 Powered By Coca-Cola race on Friday, Aug. 22, at Daytona International Speedway. The top bidder for the NASCAR Cup Series will be invited to attend the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Saturday, Aug. 23. Those top bidders will receive an exclusive hospitality experience to enjoy race day, featuring meet and greets with drivers alongside other special incentives.

Online bidding is live at https://prstn.co/honor-cancer-hero and ends Monday June 9 at 9 p.m. ET.

“Behind every name on these cars is someone who refused to give up, and we’re honored to help carry their strength forward,” said Rob Deininger, executive vice president and CEO of the AdventHealth East Florida Division. “Through this auction, we’re able to turn personal stories of resilience into expanded access to care. Our SherryStrong Integrative Wellness Center in Daytona Beach is one way we’re doing that – offering therapies that treat the whole person, not just the illness. It’s helping more cancer patients find relief, renewal, and the strength to move forward.”d

The Honor a Cancer Hero auction is one of many initiatives supported through The NASCAR Foundation’s online auctions program, which features race-used memorabilia and at-track experiences available for fans to bid on online.

About The NASCAR Foundation

The NASCAR Foundation is a leading charity that works to improve the lives of children who need it most in NASCAR racing communities through the Speediatrics Children’s Fund and the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award. The NASCAR Foundation, designated as a 4-Star Charity by Charity Navigator for its strong financial health and ongoing accountability and transparency, has contributed more than $50 Million to impact the lives of more than 1.7 million children nationwide since 2006. Follow The NASCAR Foundation on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/NASCARFoundation or on X at @NASCAR_FDN.

About MTJ Foundation

September is childhood cancer awareness month. The Martin Truex Jr. Foundation has focused their mission to raise awareness, boost advocacy, and generate financial support for underfunded cancer initiatives specific to childhood cancers. Together, we have the power to improve lives, inspire smiles and realize dreams. We will Never Give Up! For more information, please visit www.martintruexjrfoundation.org

AdventHealth

With a sacred mission of Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ, AdventHealth is a connected system of care for every stage of life and health. More than 90,000 team members across hundreds of care sites including physician practices, hospitals, outpatient clinics, home health agencies and hospice centers provide individualized, wholistic care. A shared vision, common values, focus on whole-person health and commitment to making communities healthier unify the system’s more than 50 hospital campuses in diverse markets throughout nine states. For more information about AdventHealth, visit AdventHealth.com/news.

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Flagler News Weekly Editor: Danielle Anderson Published by Sunrise Media Group, LLC ©Flagler News Weekly, All Rights Reserved.
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