Daytona 500 winner Matt Kenseth to finally get his due

For Matt Kenseth, the downside to winning the rain-delayed Daytona 500 was that he didn’t get to participate in the typical postrace celebration for Daytona 500 winners.

Daytona International Speedway will remedy that on April 11 when Kenseth and Roush Fenway Racing co-owner Jack Roush return to Daytona for a special fan forum and luncheon to celebrate their victory in the 54th Daytona 500.

The Daytona 500 was rained out on Feb. 26 and postponed until Monday night, Feb. 27. The conclusion of the race was delayed by about two hours when a fire erupted with 40 laps to go after Juan Pablo Montoya’s car his a jet dryer under caution.

Kenseth finally took the checkered flag around 1 a.m. on Feb. 28.

Because of the one-day delay in running the race and because Sprint Cup teams had to travel to Phoenix for the second race of the season later that week, the Daytona 500 Champion’s Breakfast was canceled.

The Champion’s Lunch will begin at 11:30 a.m. with a fan forum at the Daytona Ticket and Tours building in front of the track. Kenseth’s winning car, as well as the Harley J. Earl Daytona 500 trophy, will be there. Guests also will get a tour of DIS.

Tickets to the originally scheduled Champion’s Breakfast will be honored for the lunch event. Tickets can also be purchased for $40 by calling 1-800-PITSHOP