KIRKLAND, Wash. When Daytona International Speedway hosted a big 400-mile NASCAR race recently, there was a new contender on the world-famous track.

Kenworth Truck Company and Pierce Manufacturing recently delivered a new Contender Series(TM) dry-side tanker built on a Kenworth T300 two-door chassis to Daytona Fire Chief Bob Vining and Captain John Erdman.

The Kenworth T300 chassis features a Cummins ISC 315-horsepower engine, Allison 5-speed automatic transmission and anti-lock brakes. The Pierce Contender Series dry-side tanker includes a 2,000-gallon water tank and 500 gallon per minute pump. The fire-fighting vehicle will be used at Daytona International Speedway for all major events at the race track, including the Daytona 500.

"Kenworth is pleased to team up with Pierce to produce this Kenworth T300 with Contender Series tanker for Daytona International Speedway," said Mike Parrish, Kenworth's medium-duty product marketing manager. "Together, we'll help provide for the safety of the world's greatest racers and fans."

"We at Pierce Florida Division pride ourselves on making great fire apparatus, so we take pride in providing the fire apparatus for a premier raceway, such as Daytona," said Mike Dufrane, director of sales and engineering of Pierce Manufacturing Florida Division.