‘Incredible passion’: NASCAR legend Juanita ‘Lightnin’’ Epton dies at 103
Juanita “Lightnin'” Epton Juanita “Lightnin'” Epton, whose tireless knack for selling tickets with a personal touch made her the longest-tenured employee at Daytona International Speedway, has died. She was 103 years old. (Daytona International Speedway)
Juanita “Lightnin'” Epton Juanita “Lightnin'” Epton, whose tireless knack for selling tickets with a personal touch made her the longest-tenured employee at Daytona International Speedway, has died. She was 103 years old. (Getty Images)
Juanita “Lightnin'” Epton Juanita “Lightnin'” Epton, whose tireless knack for selling tickets with a personal touch made her the longest-tenured employee at Daytona International Speedway, has died. She was 103 years old. (Daytona International Speedway)
Juanita “Lightnin’” Epton Juanita “Lightnin’” Epton celebrated her 100th birthday. In Daytona Beach, hundreds of Epton’s friends, family and coworkers surprised her for a very special birthday celebration as she struck 100. (WFTV.com News Staff/WFTV)
Juanita “Lightnin’” Epton Juanita “Lightnin’” Epton celebrated her 100th birthday. In Daytona Beach, hundreds of Epton’s friends, family and coworkers surprised her for a very special birthday celebration as she struck 100. (WFTV.com News Staff/WFTV)
Juanita “Lightnin’” Epton Juanita “Lightnin’” Epton celebrated her 100th birthday. In Daytona Beach, hundreds of Epton’s friends, family and coworkers surprised her for a very special birthday celebration as she struck 100. (WFTV.com News Staff/WFTV)
Juanita “Lightnin’” Epton Juanita “Lightnin’” Epton celebrated her 100th birthday. In Daytona Beach, hundreds of Epton’s friends, family and coworkers surprised her for a very special birthday celebration as she struck 100. (WFTV.com News Staff/WFTV)
Juanita “Lightnin’” Epton Juanita “Lightnin’” Epton celebrated her 100th birthday. In Daytona Beach, hundreds of Epton’s friends, family and coworkers surprised her for a very special birthday celebration as she struck 100. (WFTV.com News Staff/WFTV)
Juanita “Lightnin’” Epton Juanita “Lightnin’” Epton celebrated her 100th birthday. In Daytona Beach, hundreds of Epton’s friends, family and coworkers surprised her for a very special birthday celebration as she struck 100. (WFTV.com News Staff/WFTV)
Juanita “Lightnin’” Epton Juanita “Lightnin’” Epton celebrated her 100th birthday. In Daytona Beach, hundreds of Epton’s friends, family and coworkers surprised her for a very special birthday celebration as she struck 100. (WFTV.com News Staff/WFTV)
Juanita “Lightnin’” Epton Juanita “Lightnin’” Epton celebrated her 100th birthday. In Daytona Beach, hundreds of Epton’s friends, family and coworkers surprised her for a very special birthday celebration as she struck 100. (WFTV.com News Staff/WFTV)
Lightnin' (WFTV.com News Staff)
Juanita "Lightnin'" Epton Longtime Daytona International Speedway employee Juanita “Lightnin’” Epton has died at the age of 103. The Speedway said Epton’s legacy began during the early days of NASCAR. (Daytona International Speedway /Daytona International Speedway)
Since then, year after year, she greeted fans with her smile and passion.
In 2022, the ticket center was renamed in her honor.
NASCAR Chairman and CEO Jim France said Epton was “beloved by (the) staff, fans, and drivers alike.”
Channel 9 was there when Epton celebrated her 100th and 101st birthday.
“I have no intention of retiring,” she said at the time. “When people retire, they get stale, and I am not getting stale. I am going to work as long as I can.”
Epton worked at the Speedway through the 66th running of the Daytona 500 race.