The winner of the first essay contest was Jim Stewart from Houma, Louisiana, with subsequent contests won by Dan Lowry of Columbiana, Ohio, and Russ Friedman of Huntington, New York,[2] with the 2010 race being named for Army veteran Heath Calhoun of Clarksville, Tennessee.

[3] Crown Royal moved the "Your Name Here" sponsorship to the Brickyard 400 beginning in 2012.

For several years, the race was held as a Sunday afternoon event the weekend after the Daytona 500 in February.

Lights were installed at the facility in 1991, but the spring race remained during the day.

Consistent cold weather, and even a snow delay in 1989, prompted track officials to move the race later in the spring.