By Jennifer Dorsett
Field Editor
This Saturday, racing fans across the nation will tune in to watch the historic 40th season-opening for the NASCAR Xfinity Series at the Daytona International Speedway before the historic Daytona 500 the following day.
The opening race, part of a doubleheader, will now be known as the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300.
The Federation of State Beef Councils, which is a division of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and works on behalf of the beef checkoff, has expanded a partnership between beef producers and Daytona International Speedway to present the kickoff event.
“We’re very excited to be a part of the very first Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300,” Brad Hastings, Texas Beef Council chair, said. “There’s no denying the passion that race fans have for their favorite drivers and their favorite foods. Through this event, we want to help support national checkoff efforts that celebrate beef from pasture to plate and ultimately encourage consumers to enjoy a beef meal.”
Campers and tailgaters at the events enjoy cookoffs and grilling as part of their NASCAR event celebrations, so it makes sense to combine beef promotion with NASCAR, noted Chip Wile, Daytona International Speedway president.
“We are so excited to grow our relationship with beef farmers and ranchers with the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300,” Wile said. “We’ve had a great time this year showcasing many ways for families to enjoy beef, and this incredible race will help us get the word out to even more millions of consumers. The NASCAR Xfinity Series at the World Center of Racing has been a long-time tradition for 40 years, and we’re happy to showcase the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300.”
On Saturday and Sunday, steak grilling demos will be conducted on the main Fan Zone stage. Several Texas chefs will cook legendary Texas dishes, according to Robert Hale, culinary and food service manager at the Texas Beef Council.
“Chefs Patrick Mitchell, Rick Neal and Mark Schneider will be cooking for the media members who are covering the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300 and the Daytona 500. We have some really great beef menus we’re going to be serving them, and we’re definitely going to have a little Texas flair to our menus,” Hale said in an interview with the Texas Farm Bureau Radio Network. “We have some great barbecue braised short ribs. And all this must be pre pre-packaged. There are no buffets or anything like that with the COVID pandemic, but we’re excited to tackle that challenge. We’re also going to prepare a Texas ‘amplified’ pot roast on Sunday.”
All guests will be screened before entering the facility for the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300, as well as all events as part of DAYTONA Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth. Fans will be required to wear face coverings while maintaining six feet social distancing throughout their visit, according to a press announcement.
“With the pandemic, this is one of the first things we’ve been able to go back to doing in-person. I think this is a great tie-in our producers can be proud of, to see us back on television and sponsoring a race like this,” Hale said. “There are many other state beef councils that have worked to pull all this together, and we’re honored to be part of the culinary team that’s going to come in and make this event memorable.”
Race day recipes and more information on the partnership are available here.