Saturday, July 30, 2011

INDIANAPOLIS DATA/BRICK YARD 400

TRACK RECORDS
Most Wins: 4 – Jeff Gordon
Most Poles: 3 – Jeff Gordon
Most Top Fives: 9 – Jeff Gordon
Most Top 10s: 13 – Jeff Gordon
Most Lead Changes: 26 – 7/27/08
Fewest Lead Changes: 9 – 3 times,
most recently 7/26/09
Most Leaders: 16 – 7/27/08
Fewest Leaders: 5 – 8/5/00
Most Cautions: 13 – 8/8/04
Fewest Cautions: 1 – 8/5/95
Most Caution Laps: 52 – 7/27/08
Fewest Caution Laps: 4 – 8/5/95
Most on the Lead Lap: 36 – 7/27/08
Fewest on the Lead Lap: 14 – 8/5/00
Most Running at the Finish: 41 – 7/27/08
Fewest Running at the Finish: 27 – 8/8/04
Most Laps Led by a Race Winner: 124 – 8/8/04
Fewest Laps Led by a Race Winner: 11 – 8/3/96
Most Wins by a Manufacturer: 12 – Chevrolet
Closest Margin of Victory: 0.183 Seconds – 8/3/97
Greatest Margin of Victory: 4.229 Seconds – 8/5/00
Margins of Victory under electronic timing since 1993.

STARTING POSITIONS OF RACE WINNERS

Races won from Pos. No. 1.................2
Races won from Pos. No. 2.................1
Races won from Pos. No. 3.................3
Races won from Pos. No. 4.................2
Races won from Pos. No. 5.................1
Races won from Pos. No. 7.................1
Races won from Pos. No. 11...............1
Races won from Pos. No. 13...............1
Races won from Pos. No. 14...............1
Races won from Pos. No. 16...............1
Races won from Pos. No. 22...............1
Races won from Pos. No. 24...............1
Races won from Pos. No. 27...............1
RACES WON FROM POLE (2 of 17)
Kevin Harvick ...............................2003
Jimmie Johnson ...........................2008
RACE WINNERS
Jeff Gordon .....................................4
Jimmie Johnson .............................3
Dale Jarrett .....................................2
Tony Stewart ...................................2
Dale Earnhardt ................................1
Bill Elliott ........................................1
Kevin Harvick ..................................1
Bobby Labonte ................................1
Jamie McMurray..............................1
Ricky Rudd .....................................1
POLE WINNERS
Jeff Gordon .....................................3
Ernie Irvan ......................................2
Jeff Burton .....................................1
Kevin Harvick .................................1
Jimmie Johnson .............................1
Mark Martin ....................................1
Rick Mast .......................................1
Casey Mears ...................................1
Juan Pablo Montoya ........................1
Ricky Rudd .....................................1
Elliott Sadler ...................................1
Reed Sorenson ...............................1
Jimmy Spencer ..............................1
Tony Stewart ..................................1
WINNING CAR OWNERS
Rick Hendrick ..................................7
Joe Gibbs.........................................3
Richard Childress.............................2
Robert Yates.....................................2
Teresa Earnhardt..............................1
Ray Evernham..................................1
Ricky Rudd ......................................

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

History
· Indianapolis Motor Speedway has existed since 1909, and is the original "Speedway," the first racing facility to incorporate the word in its name.
· With a permanent seating capacity for more than 250,000-plus people and infield seating that raises capacity to an approximate 400,000, it is the largest and highest-capacity sporting facility in history.

Notebook
· There have been 17 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway since the first race, in 1994.
· Four drivers have competed in all 17 races: Jeff Burton, Jeff Gordon, Bobby Labonte and Mark Martin.
· Rick Mast won the first pole, in 1994.
· Jeff Gordon won the 1994 inaugural race.
· There have been 14 different pole winners.
· Jeff Gordon leads all pole winners, with three.
· 10 drivers have won, led by Jeff Gordon, with four victories.
· Jimmie Johnson (three), Dale Jarrett and Tony Stewart (two each) are the other multiple winners.
· Hendrick Motorsports has won seven races, more than any other organization.
· Nine races have been won from a top-five starting position.
· The furthest back a race winner has started at Indianapolis was 27th, by Jeff Gordon in 2001.
· Two drivers have won from the pole: Kevin Harvick in 2003 and Jimmie Johnson in 2008.
· Dale Jarrett (1996), Jimmie Johnson (2006) and Jamie McMurray (2010) are the only drivers to win both the Daytona 500 and the Brickyard 400 in the same season.
· Tony Stewart (8.2), Jeff Gordon (9.4) and Kevin Harvick (9.9) are the only active drivers to average a top-10 finish.
· Three of the last five Indianapolis races ending under green had a margin of victory under one second.
· 14 of the 17 races have been won by a past, reigning or future NASCAR Sprint Cup champion. The only three that were not: Ricky Rudd in 1997, Kevin Harvick in 2003 and Jamie McMurray in 2010.
· The winner of the Indianapolis race has won the championship in the same year eight times in the 17 years the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series has raced there:
2009: Jimmie Johnson
2008: Jimmie Johnson
2006: Jimmie Johnson
2005: Tony Stewart
2001: Jeff Gordon
2000: Bobby Labonte
1999: Dale Jarrett
1998: Jeff Gordon





Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Kyle Busch to give Ride-Alongs at Atlanta Motor Speedway

NASCAR Star Kyle Busch to give Ride-Alongs to Five Fans at Atlanta Motor Speedway for AdvoCare 500


HAMPTON, Ga. (July 26, 2011) – NASCAR veteran Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 18 M&M’s Toyota, will be in Atlanta on August 16 to promote the upcoming NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AdvoCare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. While at the speedway, Busch, who won his 100th NASCAR race last weekend, will be giving ride-alongs to five lucky fans in a NASCAR Sprint Cup stock car.
Fans can register at the Atlanta Motor Speedway ticket office from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at which time five fans will be selected to take the ride of a lifetime with Busch on the lightning fast high banks of the 1.54-mile Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Fans who have purchased AdvoCare 500 tickets prior to 6:00 p.m. on August 16 can come to the ticket office will get an additional drawing entry for each ticket purchased.
All fans will have the opportunity to participate in a question and answer session with Kyle from 7:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series garage after the drawing. The five winners will take their rides with Kyle immediately following the question and answer session.
Busch will be seeking his sixth Atlanta Motor Speedway win when the AdvoCare 500 starting field take the green flag at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday night, Sept. 4.
NASCAR night racing returns to Atlanta Motor Speedway this Labor Day weekend, Sept. 2-4. Tickets for the AdvoCare 500 start at $39 and $19 for students. Children 12 and under admitted free for the Great Clips 300 and the Atlanta 200 with an adult ticket. For more information, call the Atlanta Motor Speedway Ticket Office at (877) 9-AMS-TIX, (770) 946-4211 or visit www.atlantamotorspeedway.com.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Talladega Grant Lynch Statement on the Passing Don Naman

Talladega Superspeedway Chairman Grant Lynch Statement on the Passing of Former Talladega Superspeedway General Manager Don Naman:


"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Naman family and friends as they mourn the loss of Don. Don played a significant role in the growth of Talladega Superspeedway during his 18 years as general manager. When Don transitioned to the executive director role at the International Motorsports Hall of Fame and Museum, he poured his heart and soul into the facility. He was a wonderful man with a wealth of knowledge on all things racing. He will truly be missed

Thursday, July 14, 2011

NHMS Unveils State-of-the-Art Scoreboard

NHMS Unveils State-of-the-Art Scoreboard


LOUDON, N.H. (July 14, 2011) -It was out with the old and in with the new today at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, as the new state-of-the-art Panasonic scoreboard was officially unveiled.
Race fans joined former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver and ESPN analyst Ricky Craven, NHMS executive vice president and general manager Jerry Gappens and K&N Pro Series East driver Eddie MacDonald, who waved the green flag to launch the LENOX Industrial Tools 301 weekend.
This new $1.2 million fan amenity boasts three 32-foot-by-18-feet Panasonic TV screens, providing impressive views of race action and instant replays. Below the video boards will be a scrolling leaderboard with color graphics that gives fans running positions and lap times for all 43 drivers. The sign will also offer interesting race statistics and event information.
"From all of the fan feedback, including letters, emails and fan forums, a new scoreboard system has been one of the biggest requests in regards to facility upgrades," said Gappens. "Our chairman Bruton Smith listened to fans and is now giving them one of the best scoreboard systems in the world. This will truly enhance the live experience for our ticketing-buying fans."
"As a driver who has raced here since the first Nationwide Series race in 1990, I can attest to the fans, that this organization does all it can to make your experience better," said Craven. "This scoreboard is great for the fans, but now the drivers can see what position they are in and that may cause a few cautions," he then joked.
Great seats are still available for the entire NASCAR weekend which includes the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series LENOX Industrial Tools 301, the NASCAR Nationwide Series New England 200, the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East New England 125 and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour F.W. Webb 100. To purchase them call the NHMS ticket hotline at (603) 783-4931 or by visiting www.nhms.com

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

NEW HAMPSHIRE DATA

Most Wins: 4 – Jeff Burton
Most Poles: 4 – Ryan Newman
Most Top Fives: 14 – Jeff Gordon
Most Top 10s: 18 – Jeff Gordon
Most Lead Changes: 23 – 2 times,
most recently 7/21/02
Fewest Lead Changes: 1 – 9/17/00
Most Leaders: 15 – 7/14/96
Fewest Leaders: 1 – 9/17/00
Most Cautions: 17 – 7/10/94
Fewest Cautions: 2 – 7/13/97
Most Caution Laps: 79 – 7/10/94
Fewest Caution Laps: 10 – 7/13/97
Most on the Lead Lap: 30 – 7/21/02
Fewest on the Lead Lap: 7 – 7/11/93
Most Running at the Finish: 43 – 9/16/07
Fewest Running at the Finish: 30 – 2 times,
most recently 9/17/00
Most Laps Led by a Race Winner: 300 – 9/17/00
Fewest Laps Led by a Race Winner: 2 – 7/11/99
Most Wins by a Manufacturer: 15 – Chevrolet
Closest Margin of Victory: 0.068 Seconds – 7/1/07
Greatest Margin of Victory: 7.439 Seconds – 7/12/98
Margins of Victory under electronic timing since 1993

STARTING POSITIONS OF RACE WINNERS
Races won from Pos. No. 1.................4
Races won from Pos. No. 2.................2
Races won from Pos. No. 3.................1
Races won from Pos. No. 4.................1
Races won from Pos. No. 5.................1
Races won from Pos. No. 6.................3
Races won from Pos. No. 7.................1
Races won from Pos. No. 8.................1
Races won from Pos. No. 9.................2
Races won from Pos. No. 10...............1
Races won from Pos. No. 11...............2
Races won from Pos. No. 13...............3
Races won from Pos. No. 14...............1
Races won from Pos. No. 15...............1
Races won from Pos. No. 21...............1
Races won from Pos. No. 24...............1
Races won from Pos. No. 26...............1
Races won from Pos. No. 31...............2
Races won from Pos. No. 32...............1
Races won from Pos. No. 33...............1
Races won from Pos. No. 38...............1

RACES WON FROM POLE (4 of 32)
Jeff Gordon...................................1998
Ryan Newman ..............................2002
Kevin Harvick ...............................2006
Clint Bowyer .................................2007

POLE WINNERS
Ryan Newman ................................4
Jeff Gordon .....................................3
Ricky Craven ..................................2
Mark Martin ....................................2
Juan Pablo Montoya .......................2
Ken Schrader ..................................2
Rusty Wallace .................................2
Dave Blaney ...................................1
Clint Bowyer ...................................1
Patrick Carpentier ...........................1
Bill Elliott ........................................1
Kevin Harvick .................................1
Ernie Irvan ......................................1
Brad Keselowski ..............................1
Bobby Labonte ...............................1
Tony Stewart ..................................1
Brian Vickers ..................................1

New Hampshire Motor Speedway:

New Hampshire Motor Speedway:


History
• Groundbreaking for New Hampshire International Speedway, as New Hampshire Motor Speedway was originally named, was Aug. 13, 1989.
• The first NASCAR Sprint Cup race was on July 11, 1993.
• Renamed New Hampshire Motor Speedway in 2008.

Notebook
• There have been 32 NASCAR Sprint Cup races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway; one per year from 1993 through 1996 and two per year since.
• Four drivers have competed in all 32 races: Jeff Burton, Jeff Gordon, Bobby Labonte and Joe Nemechek.
• Mark Martin won the first NASCAR Sprint Cup pole.
• Rusty Wallace won the first NASCAR Sprint Cup race.
• There have been 17 different pole winners, led by Ryan Newman (four).
• 20 different drivers have won, led by Jeff Burton (four).
• Jimmie Johnson (2003) and Kurt Busch (2004) are the only drivers that have posted season sweeps. Those are also the only back-to-back winners.
• Hendrick Motorsports has won eight races, more than any other organization.
• The deepest in the field that a New Hampshire race winner started was 38th, by Jeff Burton in 1999.
• There have been four winners who started from the pole. The last race winner to win from the pole was Clint Bowyer in 2007. He scored a perfect Driver Rating of 150.0 that event.
• Jeff Burton led all 300 laps raced in the 2000 fall race.
• Five drivers got their first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win at New Hampshire: Joe Nemechek (1999), Robby Gordon (2001), Ryan Newman (2002), Clint Bowyer (2007) and Joey Logano (2009).
• Two drivers got their first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coors Light Pole at New Hampshire: Patrick Carpentier (2008) and Brad Keselowski (2010).
• Eight of the last nine races that finished under green had a margin of victory of less than a second.

NASCAR in New Hampshire
• There have been 32 NASCAR Sprint Cup races in New Hampshire, all at NHMS.
• 13 drivers in NASCAR’s three national series (all-time) are listed as New Hampshire natives.
• There has been one race winner from New Hampshire in NASCAR’s three national series: Jamie Aube. Aube, from Manchester, won a NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Oxford Plains Speedway in 1987.

New Hampshire Motor Speedway Data
Race #: 19 of 36 (7-17-11)
Track Size: 1.058 miles
Race Length: 317.4 miles (300 laps)
Banking/Corners: Variable at 2 & 7 degrees
Banking/Straights: 1 degree

Driver Rating at New Hampshire
Tony Stewart 113.0
Jeff Gordon 107.0
Jimmie Johnson 106.8
Denny Hamlin 100.5
Dale Earnhardt Jr. 99.7
Clint Bowyer 96.6
Jeff Burton 94.6
Kurt Busch 93.5
Kevin Harvick 92.6
Kyle Busch 91.3
Note: Driver Rating compiled from 2005-2010 races (12 total) at New Hampshire.

Qualifying/Race Data
2010 pole winner: Juan Pablo Montoya,
32.337 mph, 28.781 seconds
2010 race winner: Jimmie Johnson, 113.308 mph, 6-27-10)
Track qualifying record: Brad Keselowski (133.572 mph, 28.515 sec., 9-19-10)Track race record: Jeff Burton (117.134 mph, 7-13-97)







Indy closing in on sponsorship deal with Crown Royal

Indy closing in on sponsorship deal with Crown Royal


Anthony Schoettle
Special to Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service
(July 13, 2011)

Sources are beginning to bubble that Crown Royal is ready to sign a deal to become the title sponsor of the Brickyard 400. It's rumored to be a multiyear deal starting in 2012.


Don't be surprised if Indianapolis Motor Speedway CEO Jeff Belskus along with Crown Royal honchos make an announcement at this year's race.


And, from what I am gathering, it's no small deal.


It's bigger than the Allstate title sponsorship deal for the race, which was one of the bigger title deals in NASCAR. Allstate ended its relationship with the Brickyard 400 in 2009.

And stunningly, the Crown Royal deal, from what I'm hearing, is financially bigger than any other current NASCAR title sponsorship deal. Yes, that means bigger than the Coca-Cola 600 and Irwin Tools Night Race ( Bristol ) deals.


In a soft economy, when the Brickyard 400's attendance has wavered, IMS officials are going to get around $1.5 million annually for the title sponsorship of its race, sources are whispering.
Motorsports sources aren't as surprised as race fans might think.


Despite complaints from some fans that the IMS isn't suited for stock car racing, apparently sponsors still find big-time value in being affiliated with the race and the venue.
The addition of Nationwide Series and sports car races during the Brickyard 400 weekend starting in 2012 should only enhance the Speedway 's opportunities to lure new sponsors.
Anthony Schoettle is a reporter for the Indianapolis Business Journal, a sister publication of Sporting News.







Streaking in Loudon

Streaking in Loudon


LOUDON, N.H. (July 13, 2011) -When the green flag drops at New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the LENOX Industrial Tools 301 on Sunday, there is a good chance a fresh face will visit victory lane.
"The Magic Mile" boasts a statistic unlike any track: there have been six different winners in the past six NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
The streak of different winners started at the 2008 LENOX Industrial Tools 301 when Kurt Busch claimed his third NHMS win. Since then, Greg Biffle captured his only NHMS victory during the 2008 SYLVANIA 300. New England native Joey Logano got his first and only NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win during the 2009 summer event. Mark Martin battled Juan Pablo Montoya for a hard fought SYLVAINA 300 checkered flag in September of 2009. Jimmie Johnson hoisted Loudon the Lobster last June on his way to an unprecedented fifth championship and, most recently, Clint Bowyer kissed the Granite Stripe after winning last September.
Not only have there been six different NASCAR Sprint Cup Series winners at NHMS, but until last June, the NASCAR Nationwide Series saw 23 different winners in 23 races. Kyle Busch broke that streak last year dominating the 2010 New England 200. Busch will also go for his 100th NASCAR win this weekend.
Don't miss your chance to see all of the NASCAR action at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, the only track on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series circuit that hosts both a Race to the Chase event and a NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup race.
To purchase tickets call the NHMS ticket hotline at (603) 783-4931 or by visiting www.nhms.com.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Get Revved up New Hampshire: It's Race Week

Get Revved up New Hampshire: It's Race Week

LOUDON, N.H. (July 11, 2011) -Race week at New Hampshire Motor Speedway has finally arrived, which means NASCAR is making its way to New England.
Not only will there be plenty of on-track action, the excitement off-track continues from dusk until dawn.
Thursday, race fans can get their first taste of the action with the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East practice and qualifying for the New England 125 and F.W. Webb 100 practice and qualifying for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. WOKQ's FanFest wraps up the day with a performance from country duo Steel Magnolia, an autograph session with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series star and Connecticut native Joey Logano and much more, all for free.
On Friday, FansFirst Pole Day will feature NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying and practice and the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East New England 125 race.
Race fans can enjoy two races for the price of one on Saturday, as the mighty Whelen Modified Tour bump-and-draft around "The Magic Mile" oval in the F.W. Webb 100. Immediately following the modifieds, stick around to see if Kyle Busch can make it three in a row at NHMS in the NASCAR Nationwide Series' New England 200.
On Sunday, the stars and cars of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will go the extra mile racing for the checkered flag and Loudon the lobster.
Check www.nmhs.com for the complete up-to-date race week news.
Tickets for the LENOX Industrial Tools 301 weekend start at just $39. That is just 13-cents a lap. Purchase them now by calling the New Hampshire Motor Speedway ticket hotline at (603) 783-4931 or visit www.nhms.com.



Sunday, July 10, 2011

Kansas Speedway to repave in 2012

Kansas Speedway to repave in 2012: Immediately following the 2012 STP 400 at Kansas Speedway, the track will undergo a massive renovation project that includes repaving of the existing track surface, reconfiguration of the oval, and the addition of a new infield road course. "These are significant projects for Kansas Speedway and our fans," said Kansas Speedway President Patrick Warren. "Given the harsh weather conditions in the Midwest, a repave of our existing racing surface was a must. Repaving a track is a huge undertaking so we decided it was the right time to make the other changes to our facility, which we believe will enhance our fans experience at Kansas Speedway."


ISC Design and Development, International Speedway Corporation's in-house design and construction group, will oversee the repave and road course projects. The group will utilize state of the art computer modeling to develop track geometry that features up to 20 degrees of variable banking in the turns; the current banking at Kansas Speedway is 15 degree uniform banking in the turns. To accomplish this reconfiguration, construction crews will remove the existing oval track asphalt pavement and re-grade the underlying soil to create the variable banking. In addition to the turns, the frontstretch, backstretch and pit road will all be reconstructed.

Kansas Speedway's new road course will feature a layout that winds through the infield. Portions of the infield will be graded and paved as part of the road course development.

Kansas Speedway will host the Hollywood Casino 400 (fourth Race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup) on Oct. 9, 2011 and the Kansas Lottery 300 on Oct. 8, 2011.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Kansas Speedway to be repaved in 2012

Kansas Speedway to be repaved in 2012


By Reid Spencer
Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service
(July 7, 2011)

Kansas Speedway will launch a massive repaving and renovation project immediately after next year's STP 400, the speedway announced Thursday.
There's some question, though, about when that race will take place. The first Kansas race this season was run June 5, with the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at the 1.5-mile speedway scheduled for Oct. 9.
A June-to-October time frame would be a narrow one for the scope of the project announced Wednesday. Kansas plans to repave its entire racing surface, reconfigure the oval with variable banking and build an infield road course.
With the first Dover race of 2012 moving from May to June, the STP 400 could fill a slot on the schedule in April or May, potentially giving the speedway more time to complete the project between races.
According to Kansas Speedway director of public relations Kelly Hale, the track doesn't have its 2012 schedule yet but is "working with NASCAR on our 2012 dates to accommodate the repave."
The recent repaving of Daytona International Speedway, a 2.5-mile track, took approximately six months.
"These are significant projects for Kansas Speedway and our fans," track president Patrick Warren said. "Given the harsh weather conditions in the Midwest , a repave of our existing racing surface was a must. Repaving a track is a huge undertaking, so we decided it was the right time to make the other changes to our facility, which we believe will enhance our fans' experience at Kansas Speedway."
The banking in the turns at Kansas , currently a uniform 15 degrees, will be reconfigured to 20-degree variable banking, making the track steeper the closer one gets to the outside wall. That configuration will resemble the one at Homestead-Miami Speedway, which features progressive banking from 18 to 20 degrees.







Wednesday, July 6, 2011

KENTUCKY SPEEDWAY DATA

Track DetailsCompleted : 2000

Distance : 1.5 miles
Shape : D-shaped oval
Banking : 14° turns8° frontstretch4° backstretchFrontstretch : 1,662 feet
Backstretch : 1,600 feet
Seating : 66,089

2010 Race ResultsNationwide SeriesMeijer 300 :: Joey Logano - 06/12/10
Camping World Truck SeriesBuilt Ford Tough 225 presented by the Greater Cincinnati Ford Dealers :: Todd Bodine - 09/03/10
Track RecordsRACE RECORDSNationwide Race Record :: Bobby Hamilton Jr. 136.123 - 06/14/03
Truck Race Record :: Mike Bliss 143.515 - 07/13/02

QUALIFYING RECORDSNationwide Qualifying Record :: Jay Sauter 171.860 - 2001
Truck Qualifying Record :: Bill Lester 178.141 - 2005

Track History
Opened in 2000, the 1.5-mile tri-oval Kentucky Speedway hosts four race weekends a year, including the Nationwide Series and Camping World Trucks. Carl Edwards became the first driver to win races at Kentucky in both series when he won the 2005 Nationwide Series Meijer 300. He had previously been to Victory Lane in the Truck Series in 2003.

Track Information
Opened: 2000Track Length: 1.5 mile tri-ovalBanking in Corners: 14°Banking in Tri-oval: 10°Banking on Straights: 8°Length of Chute from Start/Finish Line to Turn 1: 681 feetLength of Chute from Turn 4 to Start/Finish Line: 681 feetLength of Backstretch: 1,600 feetGrandstand Seating: 66,089Qualifying Record: IRL: Sarah Fisher, 221.390 mph - 8/10/02Race Record: IRL: Sam Hornish Jr., 197.897 mph - 8/18/03Laps: 150 laps=225 miles; 200 laps=300 miles

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Clement Family Becomes Principal Owners of Iowa Speedway

Clement Family Becomes Principal Owners of Iowa Speedway


NEWTON, Iowa – JULY 5, 2011 – Principal ownership of Iowa Speedway has transitioned from one Iowa family to another. Featherlite®, Inc., founder Conrad Clement, originally from Newton, Iowa; along with his sons, Tracy and Eric; and his brother, Stan Clement, also from Newton, purchased U.S. Motorsports Corporation (USM Corp.) — the holding company that owns Iowa Speedway — effective June 30.
“My family has a 20-year history in the motorsports industry through our involvement with Featherlite,” explains Conrad Clement. “We’ve been intimately involved with Iowa Speedway since it was founded in 2006, and we’re looking forward to building on the momentum created over the last five years.”
The entire staff will remain in tact so fans continue to have a world-class race day experience at Iowa Speedway. Stan’s sons, Luke and Tyler, have also been appointed as corporate officers.
The Manatt family — owners of Manatt’s, Inc., a heavy construction company based in Brooklyn, Iowa — have been the primary investors since the track was built. They intended to help launch the Speedway and improve Newton’s economic vitality, and then transfer controlling interest so they could focus on their core family business.
Clement says he is very grateful for the Manatts’ contributions to the track, and acknowledges that this is an ideal time for his family to take principal ownership. He believes that fan support is critical to the track’s continued success, and ensuring that ticket-holders have an enjoyable race day experience is one of his top priorities. Clement and the staff will continue to explore new amenities and facility improvements to accommodate larger races and additional events at Iowa Speedway.
“The Clement family has expressed their willingness to invest in the track, its infrastructure and its future,” says NASCAR racing legend, and Iowa Speedway co-owner, Rusty Wallace. “Together, we can establish Iowa Speedway as one of the Midwest’s premier entertainment venues, and achieve our ultimate goal — hosting a NASCAR Sprint Cup race.”
Iowa Speedway President Jerry Jauron says fans can expect the track’s monumental growth to continue under its new ownership.
“We’ve added new races, fan amenities, sponsors and vendors every season — and we’ll continue to do so under the guiding vision of the Clement family,” says Jauron. “We’re looking forward to the remaining races on the 2011 schedule — and then we’ll gear up for 2012. We’ve got a very bright future ahead.”
Manatt says it has been an honor to be involved with Iowa Speedway’s creation and legacy.
“It was our privilege to help build the track five years ago, and like a proud parent, we’ve enjoyed watching it thrive and grow — and we’ll continue to do so from the stands,” says Manatt. “We wish great success to Iowa Speedway and the Clement family.”

Friday, July 1, 2011

Business of NASCAR: Daytona launches smartphone app

Business of NASCAR: Daytona launches smartphone app


By Tripp Mickle
Special to Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service
(June 30, 2011)

Daytona International Speedway executives know that navigating their massive 480-acre motorsports park can be a challenge, so they're launching a smartphone application to help fans find everything from restrooms to concession stands.
The iPhone and Android app will be beta-tested during this weekend's Coke Zero 400. Fans who sign up for the app on the speedway's website or Facebook page will be able to download and test it.
The track is the first owned by International Speedway Corp. to create an app. If the test goes well, the company's technology division plans to develop similar apps for the company's 11 other tracks that host Sprint Cup races.
Las Vegas Motor Speedway was the first track to launch a facility-specific app. It debuted during the track's March Sprint Cup race and provided fans with a GPS-based guide that could take them into the track and to their seats.
Like Las Vegas , Daytona partnered with technology company Thermopylae to develop a GPS-based guide to its track. But its app features other elements, including maps for trams, ingress and egress and parking; late-breaking news; a friend finder that allows you to locate a friend anywhere on the grounds; access to the speedway's Twitter feed and Facebook page; and the ability to buy tickets.
Craig Neeb, ISC's chief information officer, said Daytona may look to monetize the app in the future with some advertising, but that's not a major priority. He added that doing so would require collaborating with NASCAR's top series partner, Sprint, which has mobile exclusivity through its partnership with the sport's sanctioning body.
"At this point, we're looking to support guests and their experience," Neeb said. "There's an expectation we have this stuff."
Neeb said the app is carrier-agnostic. It was developed by Accesso, which has developed smartphone applications for theme parks and the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
The track anticipates anywhere from 200 to 1,000 fans will test it.
The company has found that its tracks' mobile sites generate considerable traffic during race weekends. The recent Cup race at Michigan International Speedway generated more than 50,000 page views from mobile phones.
In the future, Neeb believes NASCAR will collaborate with tracks on an app that provides race content to fans, as well. The sanctioning body spent much of the past year conducting a survey at tracks to better understand the fan experience at its races and has been vocal about providing more technology services to fans.
"Ultimately, I can see a NASCAR app for the industry, and there's a Daytona version, a Talladega version and a Richmond version that plugs into it," Neeb said. "I can see this aggregating at a bigger level."
Tripp Mickle is a reporter with SportsBusiness Journal.