MWR auctions gold wheels that ran in Daytona 500

The three cars for Michael Waltrip Racing began the 50th running of the Daytona 500 with gold wheels as a tribute to the Great American Race.

Dale Jarrett, a three-time winner of the Cup Series' season opener, two-time Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip and David Reutimann sported the specially-designed gold wheels only for the start of the race, moving back to their traditional chrome wheels after the first round of pit stops.

After the race, the wheels were to be autographed and auctioned to raise money for charities supported by the France family.

"The Daytona 500 is a race that means as much to me as it does to anyone in the world," Waltrip said. "This race defined my career. For the 50th anniversary of The Great American Race, I really wanted to do something special to honor this historic event."

• To bid on the gold wheels, click here.