Just dropping in on Daytona

NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Brian Vickers dropped in on Daytona International Speedway Wednesday for a visit – literally. A skydiving enthusiast since 2007, Vickers became the first driver in series history to parachute into the speedway as a promotional kickoff for the July 2 Coke Zero 400. Vickers, 27, came to a sliding, tumbling stop on the grass in the speedway’s tri-oval after his first jump in the rain that started from about 5,000 feet above the track. “It’s not the first time someone has barrel rolled through the front stretch at Daytona,” he said. “The only problem is sticking the landing when you’re sliding through the water, the mud and grass.” Vickers said he has made between 70 and 75 jumps. – Associated Press