Press Release:

Nashville (Thursday Aug. 5, 2010): NASCAR star Dale Earnhardt Jr. (right) surprises office workers in downtown Nashville during a video shoot for AMP Energy Juice, Dale’s sponsor. Dale Jr. was a good sport and signed autographs for fans and gave out AMP Energy Juice. He also gave a few lucky fans tickets to the upcoming Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 21 care of AMP Energy Juice. Also pictured, Alex Stamper, Hendrick Motorsports. PHOTO CREDIT: Ryan Smith

View full size photo »

O.K. I admit this is a bit of an Amp promo, but for good reason.  Throughout the year I get a ton of press releases from NASCAR, NASCAR teams and their sponsors as well as from some driver's agents and PR firms.  One type of press release that I always seem to get is; (insert driver's name here) surprised employees at (insert driver's sponsor name here).  Said driver posed for pictures and signed autographs for surprise employees."

Well I got another one of those emails, or so I thought.  Once I read the email more I noticed there was something different about it, the driver in question, Dale Earnhardt Jr., surprised workers in an office that had nothing to do with his sponsor, Amp.  Dale just showed up and started handing out samples of his sponsor's product, signed autographs, posed for pictures, and handed out tickets to an upcoming Sprint Cup race.  Now granted he was filiming a video near the office and they probably planned to do something like that but what is important to me is that it was an office that had nothing to do with the sponsor or driver other than being near or part of the video shoot.

Imagine going into work one day and having Dale Jr show up out of the blue handing out Amp drinks and tickets to a future race?  Cool stuff for sure.  Hey Dale, come to my office next will you?

This is just another example why Amp and Dale Jr continue to be fan favourites.

Press Release:

~ Speedway exploring opportunities to diversify event schedule for SoCal race fans ~

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, Calif. (August 10, 2010) – Auto Club Speedway will host one NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend – March 25-27 – returning to its traditional spot on the schedule beginning in 2011.  Speedway officials also continue to work in earnest to add events to the Speedway’s race schedule in an effort to diversify on-track activity for the 2011 year.

“Moving our Auto Club 500 event from February to March provides us the opportunity to show off the area’s beautiful ‘Chamber of Commerce’ weather,” said Auto Club Speedway President Gillian Zucker.  “Our staff and the thousands of Southern California loyal race fans look forward to the return of NASCAR’s most talented drivers in both the Sprint Cup Series and the Nationwide Series as well as Southern California’s own four-time Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson.

“We remain committed to providing unforgettable experiences to our loyal fans and we will continue to look at ways to diversify our schedule, working diligently to add exciting events for 2011 and beyond,” added Zucker.

To purchase tickets call 800-944-RACE (7223) or visit www.autoclubspeedway.com.

Inaugural 400-mile event scheduled for July 9 

SPARTA, Ky. -Speedway Motorsports, Inc. (SMI) Chairman and CEO Bruton Smith announced today that Kentucky Speedway will play host to its inaugural 400-mile NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Saturday, July 9, 2011.  

“The passionate NASCAR fans throughout Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati have deserved a Sprint Cup Race for a long time. Before this, racing in Kentucky was about horses, but now it’s all about more horsepower.  We’re going to create the grandest sports event in the history of the state in 2011, and any fan that comes here will know what it means to be ‘Lucky in Kentucky,’” Smith said.

The Sparta, Ky., venue will become the 23^rd motorsports facility on the 36-race Sprint Cup Series schedule and the first facility to be added to the national tour since Chicagoland Speedway made its debut July 15, 2001 and Kansas Speedway staged its first series race on Sept. 29, 2001.

Kentucky Speedway will be the eighth SMI facility to welcome the premier American stock car racing series which features former Kentucky Speedway NASCAR Nationwide Series 300-mile race winners Kevin Harvick, Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch along with four-time series champions Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon.

“I am thrilled that all the hard work of my administration to bring a NASCAR Sprint Cup race to Kentucky has finally paid off,” Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear said.  “The legislation we proposed, pushed and I signed amending our Tourism Development Act to attract legacy expansion projects to Kentucky was critical in bringing this race to Kentucky.  In addition to the excitement this race will bring to race fans, it will have an unparalleled economic impact on the region.”

Kentucky Speedway played host to its first major NASCAR-sanctioned event on its 1.5-mile tri-oval track on June 17, 2000 and witnessed current Sprint Cup Series mainstay Greg Biffle score a 225-mile NASCAR Camping World Truck Series victory. The track first welcomed the Nationwide Series on June 16, 2001 and saw current Sprint Cup Series championship leader Harvick race to Victory Lane. Overall, Kentucky Speedway has played host to a combined 20 Camping World Truck Series and Nationwide Series events as well as a variety of NASCAR developmental touring stock car series through its 11-year history.

“The arrival of Sprint Cup racing in Kentucky is a testament to the consistently solid support our corporate partners and avid fan base in Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, Lexington, Ky., and Louisville, Ky., has provided our events since 2000. Our facility was constructed with the goal of attracting Sprint Cup racing to the Commonwealth and we thank all whose efforts made that goal a reality. We’re looking forward creating a supercharged atmosphere for our first Sprint Cup Series weekend,” Kentucky Speedway General Manager Mark Simendinger said.

Tickets for the 2011 Kentucky Speedway season highlighted by the inaugural NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race will be offered on a priority basis to current  holders of season ticket plans, Kentucky Club, Bluegrass Club, season Private, Reserved and Infield camp sites. The general public may immediately secure priority notice for the acquisition of 2011 season ticket plans / season camp sites by placing a non-refundable, $50 deposit per season ticket plan / season camp site with Kentucky Speedway. Phone 859-578-2300, choose option “2,” or visit the “Tickets” page of http://www.kentuckyspeedway.com for information and to review the full 2011 ticket policy. Season ticket plans for 2010 also remain available.

The Kentucky NASCAR Sprint Cup Series announcement comes three weeks prior to the final weekend of 2010 Kentucky Speedway season which will “Celebrate Speed” by placing the spotlight on the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series “Built Ford Tough 225 presented by the Greater Cincinnati Ford Dealers” Sept. 3 along with the IZOD IndyCar Series “Kentucky Indy 300,” Firestone Indy Lights “Drive Smart. Buckle-Up Kentucky 100” and country music supergroup Diamond Rio in concert Sept. 4.  

Single-race tickets for the track’s inaugural Labor Day event weekend can be reserved through the tickets pages of www.kentuckyspeedway.com, by phone at 888-652-7223 (RACE) or by visiting the Kentucky Speedway ticket offices at 400 Buttermilk Pike, Suite 100, in Ft. Mitchell, Ky., next to the Montgomery Inn Restaurant or the Fan Center located off of Interstate 71, Exit 57 and Ky. Hwy. 35 N in Sparta, Ky. Tickets additionally are available through tickets.com outlets.

On August 10, 2010, the National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel heard and considered the appeal of Gary Showalter, Crew Chief for the Key Motorsports #40 NASCAR Nationwide Series car. 

 The penalty concerned Section 12-1 of the NASCAR Rule Book: “Actions detrimental to stock car racing.”; Section 12-4-J: “Any determination by NASCAR Officials that the Race Equipment used in the Event does not conform to NASCAR Rules”; and Section 20A-5.10.1B(3): “The venturi height was not dimensionally correct.”

 This stemmed from the NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Daytona International Speedway on June 29, 2010.

 The penalty assessed was a $5,000.00 fine.

 The Appellant argued that the carburetor in question had been inspected and raced in a number of NASCAR Nationwide Series races prior to failing inspection, and that the inspection gauges were not always reliable.

 When the carburetor was checked again during the hearing, the venturies visibly failed inspection using both the NASCAR gauge and the gauge provided by the Appellant’s carburetor builder.  The gauge is straightforward and indicates a “go” or “no go”.

 Therefore, it is the unanimous decision of the National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel to uphold the original penalty assessed by NASCAR. 

 The Appellant has the right under Section 15 of the Rule Book to appeal this decision to the National Stock Car Racing Chief Appellate Officer.

PIR to host second & semifinal race of Sprint Cup season; Local economic impact to exceed $400 million

PHOENIX – Phoenix International Raceway President Bryan R. Sperber announced today that the track has been awarded two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race weekends in 2011, marking seven consecutive seasons for PIR to host a pair of nationally-televised event weekends featuring the brightest stars in NASCAR. Phoenix will maintain two NASCAR Sprint Cup weekends in the face of widespread schedule realignment that saw multiple race dates moved amongst multiple facilities.

“We are honored to be the only facility in the West with two Sprint Cup Series events,” Sperber said. “The commitment from NASCAR to race twice at Phoenix International Raceway speaks volumes for the level of enthusiasm the sport has from fans in Arizona and throughout this part of the country.”

As part of the NASCAR’s schedule realignment, Phoenix International Raceway’s SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500™ will move from April to February 27 – just one week after NASCAR’s largest event, the Daytona 500. PIR will look to capitalize on the season-opening excitement of Daytona with a new Sunday day-race format, allowing fans to take in the 500 km race in Phoenix with a more traditional local start time of 1 p.m. The SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500™ will be televised nationally on FOX.

Phoenix will continue to host the semi-final race in NASCAR’s playoffs – the Chase for the Sprint Cup – on November 13. The Kobalt Tools 500, a race in which fans have come to expect heavy championship implications, also starts at 1 p.m. locally and will be televised nationally on ESPN. NASCAR will conclude its season the following week at Homestead Miami Speedway in Florida.

“Phoenix will be the first and last stop NASCAR makes in the West,” Sperber said. “It’s a great privilege for us to help celebrate the excitement of a new season in February and to help crown season champions as the year winds down with the Chase in November.” 

Phoenix International Raceway is one of just 13 NASCAR facilities to be awarded two Sprint Cup weekends in 2011. Past studies conducted by Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business for PIR have indicated that the economic impact of hosting two NASCAR Sprint Cup weekends annually in Phoenix exceeds $400 million.

“The State of Arizona is well aware of the tremendous economic impact that comes along with hosting a NASCAR weekend in the Valley of the Sun,” Sperber said. “The fact that Phoenix International Raceway has been confirmed to host two Sprint Cup events provides a shot-in-the-arm for our local economy at a time when it’s most needed.”

Race fans can secure 2011 Season Tickets from Phoenix International Raceway before they go on sale to the general public.  Starting Tuesday, August 10, fans can make a $50 deposit to reserve 2011 seats by calling 877-PIR-XTRA (747-9872) and speaking directly with one of PIR’s Fan Experience Specialists.    2011 Season Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, October 29, with prices starting at just $99.  2011 SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500™ tickets go on sale Thursday, November 11 and start as low as $25.

Phoenix International Raceway will release information about its 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and NASCAR K&N Pro Series West events at a later date. NASCAR is expected to release the entire 2011 Sprint Cup Series schedule in coming weeks.  

About Phoenix International Raceway

Since 1964, Phoenix International Raceway has served race fans as the premier motorsports venue in the Southwest. Watch the brightest stars in NASCAR take on PIR’s famed one-mile oval – including four-time defending Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Tony Stewart and many more – on November 14, 2010 in the Kobalt Tools 500. Tickets for the entire Kobalt Tools 500 weekend at Phoenix International Raceway can be purchased online at PhoenixRaceway.com or by calling 1-866-408-RACE (7223). For more, visit PhoenixRaceway.com, Facebook.com/PhoenixRaceway and Twitter.com/PhoenixRaceway.

MIS’ popular post-race concert will follow Saturday’s Nationwide Series CARFAX 250 race

BROOKLYN, Mich. (Aug. 6, 2010) — If fans couldn’t get enough great rock ‘n’ roll when Saving Abel performed at Michigan International Speedway in June, the popular band will return during the Show Me the CARFAX Race weekend on August 14-15 and rock the house again.

Saving Abel will perform at the speedway’s Budweiser Acceleration Concert following the conclusion of the NASCAR Nationwide Series CARFAX 250 on Saturday, August 14.

The popular Saturday night concert in Lot 10 has always been a crowd staple and fan favorite at MIS for nearly a decade. Saving Abel follows a long list of spectacular concerts that have been held at MIS including Sugarland, Montgomery Gentry, 3 Doors Down, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and most recently Sick Puppies last June.

Saving Abel performed at MIS in June following the Sprint Cup Series Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips 400 with much fanfare. The band will return to MIS on August 14 to support its sophomore album “Miss America” which hit stores on June 8.

“Saving Abel put on a tremendous show for our fans last June and having them return to the speedway on August 14 for a much larger show will be even better,” speedway President Roger Curtis said. “The post-race concerts have been a long-standing tradition here at MIS and Saving Abel will continue that trend of bringing in great music to the Irish Hills. Our fans will be treated to an amazing show at the Budweiser Acceleration Concert!”

Saving Abel released its self-titled debut album in 2008 and is known for such hits as “Addicted,” “18 Days” and “Drowning (Face Down).”

Opening for Saving Abel will be the band Sore Eyes. Originally from Memphis, Tenn., Sore Eyes is a crowd favorite, playing more than 250 shows since June 2009. Sore Eyes released its self-titled EP in 2009 and has toured with bands such as Shinedown, Chevelle, Boys Like Girls and Saliva.

Sponsoring the post-race concert is Budweiser, title sponsor of Budweiser Acceleration, MIS’ all-inclusive fan hospitality club. Fan hospitality packages for the Budweiser Acceleration Club are still available for the race weekend by calling 800-354-1010 or visiting MISpeedway.com.

“We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to sponsor the Budweiser Acceleration concert at MIS. This is a great opportunity to expand our relationship with the speedway,” Mark Bennett, retail sales director for Anheuser-Busch Inc. said. “Budweiser has always enjoyed a great history of working with popular concert acts and venues and the post-race concert at MIS is no different. It’s a great opportunity to extend the branding of our Budweiser Acceleration Club at the track and retail.”

The post-race concert featuring Saving Abel and Sore Eyes will begin approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the Nationwide Series CARFAX 250. A Saturday ticket is no longer needed to attend. Glass containers are prohibited in the concert area.

Nestled in the lush Irish Hills of Southeastern Michigan, Michigan International Speedway is the Great Escape, a venerable NASCAR national park where fans can get away and enjoy the very best in racing and camaraderie. It’s the love of racing and the thrill of a great time for race fans and drivers alike.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series tickets for the CARFAX 400 on August 15 are as low as $25. Visit MISpeedway.com or call the MIS ticket hotline at 800-354-1010 today to take advantage of great pricing for 2010 events at MIS.