Waltrip, Johnson among Daytona half marathoners

By MARK LONG

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) Two-time Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip will log some extra miles around Daytona International Speedway on Sunday.

Waltrip is one of four NASCAR drivers running in the Daytona Beach half marathon, which begins and ends at the famed 2 1/2-mile superspeedway. The 13.1-mile course also goes to the beach and back.

Five-time Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kasey Kahne and Aric Almirola also are trading in their racing shoes for running shoes.

"Well, I ran my last marathon in 2005, and I ran the Vegas Marathon in 3:55," said the 50-year-old Waltrip. "I was really proud of that. I think I ran both halves in about the same amount of time. I haven't really run since then. I used this as motivation just to try to get back into better shape.

Updated February 16, 2013