DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — As fans make their way to the races at the Daytona International Speedway this weekend, members of NASCAR came together to honor the legacy of one of their own.

What You Need To Know

  • On Friday afternoon, family members, colleagues, and NASCAR fans gathered to unveil a tribute display to Miss Lightnin’ Epton and her 65 years of service at the Speedway

  • Juanita “Lightnin’ ” Epton was an employee at the ticket office of Daytona International Speedway for more than 60 years, making her the longest-tenured employee

  • Epton died on May 15, 2024, at 103 years old

  • The tribute display covers an entire wall visible by people as they enter the Ticketing and Tours Building at Daytona International speedway. It features pictures of Epton that highlight her career at the ticket office

Juanita “Lightnin’” Epton was an employee at the ticket office of Daytona International Speedway for more than 60 years, making her the longest-tenured employee. She died on May 15, 2024, at 103 years old.

To honor and celebrate her legacy, family members, colleagues, and NASCAR fans gathered Friday to unveil a tribute display to Epton and her 65 years of service at the Speedway.

“When Lightnin’ wasn’t in the office, there was just a void," said Daytona International Speedway President Frank Kelleher. "Even in her last days, she showed up, ready to work and had a smile on her face."

Epton was at the ticket window for the first Daytona 500 in 1959. And in 2022, the Speedway’s ticket office was named in her honor, while she was still on the job.

“She was just one of the most kind people," Kelleher said. "She had a very strong work ethic, she definitely was gritty, she was ready to roll up our sleeves and to get the job done, and she was passionate about treating fans the right way."

The tribute display covers an entire wall visible by people as they enter the Ticketing and Tours Building at Daytona International speedway. It features pictures of Epton that highlight her career throughout the years she worked at the ticket office.

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Her granddaughter, Casey Epton Roush, was present at the ceremony and said she was glad to see Epton recognized in this way.

“It means the world to us," she said. "I’m not shocked at the same time. I mean, she made you feel like you were the only person in the world. So, I’m honored to be here.

Epton Roush said her grandmother's way of connecting with ticket-buyers made her a fan favorite. 

“Her spark, her wit — she had a way of just love,” Epton Roush said.

She said the Speedway's tribute will keep her grandmother’s legacy alive for generations to come.

“Just come out to see it," she said. "Love her — you’re going to experience everything that she was. Everybody knows her. Everyone was a fan. She was a part of everyone’s family."

The unveiling of the display honoring Lightnin’s legacy kicked off the race weekend with the Wawa 250 Powered by Coca-Cola, which is scheduled to start Friday at 7:30 p.m., and the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Saturday night.