CHICAGOLAND SPEEDWAY ANNOUNCES NEW PRESIDENT

CHICAGOLAND SPEEDWAY ANNOUNCES NEW PRESIDENT

David Kaplan steps in for Scott Paddock and announces plans to take the 2012 season to a new level

Joliet, Ill. – December 14, 2011 – Chicagoland Speedway president Scott Paddock is relinquishing his seat at the helm of the Speedway while Comcast SportsNet’s Chicago Tribune Live host, David Kaplan, proudly steps in to serve as Chicagoland Speedway’s president for the day. In what originally started off as a friendly bet between Paddock and Kaplan on their weekly Comcast SportsNet show, quickly turned into a season-long point’s competition for bragging rights and a day that will turn out to be one of the best days for NASCAR fans in the Chicagoland area.

“Sure, Scott Paddock has made many steps in the right direction since taking over last year, but it’s not every day I get to be president of the state’s largest sporting facility,”  said Kaplan, the only broadcaster in Chicago to host a daily radio show, TV show and write a regular column in a major newspaper simultaneously.  “As president of Chicagoland Speedway for the day, I want to do something that really gives back to race fans and helps them enjoy their favorite sport up-close-and-personal.  That’s why I’m implementing special advance ticket pricing so fans that purchase early will have access to even more affordable pricing. And for the first time ever, I’m also going to allow every fan that purchases a ticket to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race to experience the banking of Chicagoland Speedway first hand by allowing all fans on the track for a post-race track walk.”

With Kaplan’s announcement, for the first time in Chicagoland Speedway history the track will offer advanced ticket pricing. From February 26-April 28, fans can purchase tickets to the two 2012 NASCAR race weekends in advance for the lowest rate of the season—guaranteed—with single day tickets starting at $25 for the July race weekend and $45 for the September Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup weekend. Also, for the first time in the track’s history fans will have the opportunity to walk the race track immediately following September’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race.

In addition to these changes, with race fans top of mind, Kaplan has decided to kick-off the 2012 season in a major way for one lucky fan and a guest—he’s giving away a trip to the DAYTONA 500® and tickets to the first race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, the GEICO 400, at Chicagoland Speedway!  Enter to win now through January 5 for two unforgettable, action-packed NASCAR weekends.  The Grand Prize includes two tickets to the DAYTONA 500 on Sunday, February 26, 2012, at Daytona International Speedway, pre-race and Gatorade Victory Lane access for the winner and guest, as well as a travel allowance. The Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup portion will include two tickets to the September 16 race at Chicagoland Speedway along with pre-race and Gatorade Victory Lane access for the winner and guest. The winner can also look forward to a live on-air interview on WGN Radio and a tour of Comcast SportsNet studios with Kaplan along with a tour of Chicagoland Speedway with track president Scott Paddock.  Fans can enter the contest by visiting www.ChicagolandSpeedway.com. The winner will be announced on January 9. 

“I look forward to Kaplan experiencing the power of NASCAR nation and their 75 million plus fans,” said Paddock.  “Kaplan has stirred things up around here at Chicagoland Speedway. The advance ticket pricing and track walk are brilliant ideas. Why didn’t I think of that?!”

In addition to Kaplan’s fan first-ever fan initiatives he’s implementing, he also has changes for the staff at Chicagoland Speedway, “To my loyal Chicagoland Speedway employees, please leave the office by 3:00 p.m. and enjoy the rest of your afternoon!”

Catch Kaplan on Comcast SportNet’s Chicago Tribune Live tonight at 5:30 p.m. CST to see his day at Chicagoland Speedway.

The complete 2012 NASCAR schedule of events at Chicagoland Speedway is as follows:

Date                                         Event

Saturday, July 21                      NASCAR Camping World Truck Series & ARCA Racing Series

Sunday, July 22                                    STP 300 (NASCAR Nationwide Series)

 

Saturday, Sept. 15                    Dollar General 300 powered by Coca-Cola (NASCAR Nationwide Series)

Sunday, Sept. 16                      GEICO 400 (NASCAR Sprint Cup Series)

 

For more information on Chicagoland Speedway stay connected on Twitter and Facebook or by visiting www.ChicagolandSpeedway.com.

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Chicagoland SpeedwayChicagoland Speedway is a 1.5-mile, paved oval race track located in Joliet, Ill.  The track has hosted racing events of the major U.S. racing series, and currently conducts races in all three NASCAR national series, including the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, the NASCAR Nationwide Series, and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.   Along with Route 66 Raceway, a drag racing facility located on the same property, Chicagoland Speedway is wholly-owned by International Speedway Corporation (ISC), a major promoter of motorsports activities.  ISC owns and/or operates 13 of the nation’s major racing venues, including Daytona International Speedway. For more information on Chicagoland Speedway, visit www.ChicagolandSpeedway.com.