PALM BEACH INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY

PRESS RELEASE

PALM BEACH INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY NAMED ONE OF THE TOP 3 FINAL

ISTS IN VENUE

EXCELLENCE BY THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF VENUE MANAG

ERS

JUPITER, FL – July 29, 2013 –

Palm Beach International Raceway™ (PBIR) was honored as one

of the top 3

finalists in the category of stadiums at the 2013 Venue Excel

lence Awards luncheon held in New Orleans,

Louisiana. The Awards were presented on July 29, 2013, at Ven

ue

Connect

, the International Association of Venue

Manager's (IAVM) 88th annual conference and trade show.

Jason Rittenberry, CFE, the chief executive officer for PBI

R attended the New Orleans conference to represent

the venue. "On behalf of my entire staff in South Florida, I am

truly honored to have Palm Beach International

Raceway named among the best venues in the country, and I cong

ratulate all the finalists and winners."

The other finalists in the category of stadiums were BC Place

in Vancouver, British Columbia, and the Georgia

Dome in Atlanta, Georgia, which won the Award.

These prestigious awards recognize venues such as stadiums

, convention centers, arenas, performing arts

centers, and academic institutions that demonstrate excel

lence in the following four criteria: service to the

community, team building/professional development, safe

ty and security, and operational excellence. The

criteria used to evaluate the venues are at the core of IAVM’s

mission, and are key components to the success

and vitality of the venue industry. A committee of industry l

eaders chose the finalist for each venue type, and

winners were approved by the IAVM Board of Directors. In its 8

8th year, the Association’s annual conference and

trade show is considered to be one of the largest venue indust

ry gatherings in the U.S. An estimated 1,600 venue

management professionals and exhibitors attended this yea

r’s conference.

ABOUT PALM BEACH INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY

Palm Beach International Raceway™ (PBIR) is a state-of-the

-art, acclaimed motorsports and entertainment

facility featuring a challenging 2.034-mile asphalt Road C

ourse, an exciting 1/4-mile concrete Drag Strip, and a

thrilling 8/10-mile Kart Track. Approved for Indy Car testi

ng, the 10-turn Road Course at PBIR consists of a

6/10-mile straightaway, 90-foot-wide flex-use area, 40- t

o 60-foot-wide seamless track, and a 6-degree banked

corner. The Road Course welcomes world-class annual events

including Formula Drift and the Palm Beach Grand

Prix. Designed by former NHRA World Champion Wayne McMurtry

, the Drag Strip at PBIR hosts such premier

events as the International Hot Rod Association’s Nitro Jam

™, Pro Winter Warm-Up, 5-Day Citrus Nationals, and

Super Chevy Show. Sanctioned by the World Karting Associati

on as a Master Track, the 12-turn, 26-foot-wide

Kart Track at PBIR hosts the Florida Winter Tour and conducts

karting schools, training courses, 3-hour

endurance races, auto crossing events, racing leagues, and

“arrive & drive” programs. Driving schools, testing

sessions, private rentals, and corporate team-building ev

ents are held at PBIR year-round. Founded in 1964 and

acquired in 2008 by IRG Sports + Entertainment™ (IRG), PBIR u

nderwent a $20 million remodeling including an

upgraded Road Course, low-glare lighting, safety barriers

, luxury chalet, VIP trailer and timing tower. Located in

Jupiter, Florida, PBIR is the official home of the Palm Beach

Driving Club®, MRP Motorsport, and Driven2Win

Drag Racing School. IRG also owns and operates Memphis Inter

national Raceway™and International Hot Rod

Indianapolis Motor Speedway:

Indianapolis Motor Speedway:

History

·       Indianapolis Motor Speedway has existed since 1909, and is the original "Speedway," the first racing facility to incorporate the word into 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.

·       The first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway was August 6, 1994 – won by Jeff Gordon.

Notebook

·       There have been 19 NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway; one per year from 1994 through 2012.

·       128 drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway; 102 in more than one.

·       Four drivers have competed in all 19 races at Indianapolis: Jeff Burton, Jeff Gordon, Bobby Labonte and Mark Martin.

·       Rick Mast won the inaugural Coors Light pole at Indianapolis in 1994 with a speed of 172.414 mph.

·       16 drivers have Coors Light poles at Indianapolis, led by Jeff Gordon with three.

·       Two drivers have won consecutive Coors Light poles at Indianapolis: Jeff Gordon (1995 and 1996) and Ernie Irvan (1997 and 1998).

·       Youngest Indianapolis Coors Light pole winner: Reed Sorenson (7/29/2007 – 21 years, 5 months, 24 days).

·       Oldest Indianapolis Coors Light pole winner: Mark Martin (7/26/2009 – 50 years, 6 months, 17 days).

·       11 different drivers have won at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, led by Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson with four each.

·       Jimmie Johnson is the only driver to have posted consecutive wins at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (2008 and 2009).

·       Youngest Indianapolis winner: Jeff Gordon (8/6/1994 – 23 years, 0 months, 2 days).

·       Oldest Indianapolis winner: Bill Elliott (8/4/2002 – 50 years, 8 months, 11 days).

·       Hendrick Motorsports leads the series in wins at Indianapolis in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with eight; followed by Richard Childress Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing with three each.

·       Four different manufacturers have won at Indianapolis; led by Chevrolet with 14 victories; followed by Ford with three, Dodge and Pontiac each have one. Chevrolet has won the last 10 consecutive NSCS races at Indianapolis.

·       Only two of the 19 (10.5%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Indianapolis have been won from the Coors Light pole: Kevin Harvick (2003) and Jimmie Johnson (2008).

·       The third starting position is the most proficient starting position in the field, producing more winners (three) than any other starting position at Indianapolis.

·       Three of the 19 (15.7%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Indianapolis have been won from the front row: two from the pole and once from second-place.

·       11 of the 19 (57.8%) NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Indianapolis have been won from a top-10 starting position.

·       Three of the 19 (15.7%) NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Indianapolis have been won from a starting position outside the top 20.

·       The deepest in the field that a race winner has started at Indianapolis was 27th, by Jeff Gordon in 2001.

·       NASCAR Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace leads the series in runner-up finishes at Indianapolis with three; followed by Bobby Labonte, Mark Martin and Matt Kenseth with two each.

·       Jeff Gordon leads the series in top-five finishes at Indianapolis with 11; followed by Tony Stewart and Mark Martin with six each.

·       Jeff Gordon leads the series in top-10 finishes at Indianapolis with 15; followed by Mark Martin with 11.

·       Juan Pablo Montoya leads the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in average starting position at Indianapolis with a 6.167.

·       Tony Stewartleads the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in average finishing position at Indianapolis with an 8.214.

·       Six of the seven active NASCAR Sprint Cup race winners at Indianapolis Motor Speedway participated in at least one or more races before visiting Victory Lane. Jeff Gordon won the Brickyard 400 in his first start at Indianapolis. 

·       Jamie McMurray competed at Indianapolis Motor Speedway seven times before winning in 2010; the longest span of any the seven active NASCAR Sprint Cup winners.

·       Mark Martin and Jeff Burton lead the series among active drivers with the most NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Indianapolis without visiting Victory Lane at 19.

·       Since the advent of electronic scoring the closest margin of victory (MOV) in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Indianapolis Motor Speedway was the August 3, 1997 race won by Ricky Rudd over Bobby Labonte with a MOV of 0.183 second.

·       Only one of the NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Indianapolis have resulted with a green-white-checkered finish (Scheduled No. of Laps/Actual No. of Laps): 2004 (160/161).

·       None of the 19 NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway has been shortened due to weather conditions.

·       Qualifying has not been cancelled due to weather conditions in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

·       Reed Sorenson (07/29/07) is the only driver to post his first career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coors Light pole at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

·       Paul Menard (07/31/11) is the only NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver to have posted his first career win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

·       Jeff Gordon leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in laps led at Indianapolis with 477 laps led in 19 starts.

·       Danica Patrick will attempt to become the first female driver to compete in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Patrick does have one start in the NASCAR Nationwide Series at IMS; she started 20th and finished 35th (7/28/2012). Shawna Robinson (8/5/01) is the only other female driver to attempt to compete in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Indianapolis, but she failed to qualify for the event.

 

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 1.058-mile oval is located on approximately 1,200 acres; the multi-use complex is the largest sports facility in New England.

·        The first NASCAR Sprint Cup race was on July 11, 1993 – won by NASCAR Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace.

·        Speedway Motorsports, Inc., agreed to purchase New Hampshire International Speedway from Bob and Gary Bahre on January 11, 2008 and then renamed the track New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Notebook

·        There have been 36 NASCAR Sprint Cup races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway; one per year from 1993 through 1996 and two per year since.

·        146 drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Sprint Cup race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway; 120 in more than one.

·        Four drivers have competed in all 36 races at New Hampshire: Jeff Burton, Jeff Gordon, Bobby Labonte and Joe Nemechek.

·        Mark Martin won the inaugural Coors Light pole at New Hampshire in 1993 with a speed of 126.871 mph.  

·        18 drivers have Coors Light poles at New Hampshire, led by Ryan Newman with six.

·        Five drivers have won consecutive Coors Light poles at New Hampshire: Ken Schrader (1997 sweep); Jeff Gordon (1998-1999); Rusty Wallace (1999-2000); Ryan Newman (twice – 2003-2004 and 2011 sweep); Juan Pablo Montoya (2009-2010).

·        Youngest New Hampshire Coors Light pole winner: Brian Vickers (7/17/2005 – 21 years, 8 months, 23 days).

·        Oldest New Hampshire Coors Light pole winner: Bill Elliott (7/21/2002 – 46 years, 9 months, 13 days).

·        21 different drivers have won at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, led by Jeff Burton with four.

·        Two drivers have posted consecutive wins at New Hampshire Motor Speedway: Jimmie Johnson (2003 sweep) and Kurt Busch (2004 sweep).  

·        Youngest New Hampshire winner: Joey Logano (6/28/2009 – 19 years, 1 month, 4 days).

·        Oldest New Hampshire winner: Mark Martin (9/20/2009 – 50 years, 8 months, 11 days).

·        Hendrick Motorsports leads the series in wins at New Hampshire in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with nine; followed by Roush Fenway Racing with seven.

·        Five different manufacturers have won at New Hampshire; led by Chevrolet with 18 victories; followed by Ford with 11.

·        Jeff Burton is the only driver to win the July race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway three consecutive years in a row (1997, ’98 and ’99).

·        Five of the 36 (13.8%) NASCAR Sprint Cup races at New Hampshire have been won from the Coors Light pole; the most recent was Ryan Newman in 2011.

·        The Coors Light pole is the most proficient starting position in the field, producing more winners (five) than any other starting position at New Hampshire.

·        Eight of the 36 (22.2%) NASCAR Sprint Cup races at New Hampshire have been won from the front row: eight from the pole and seven from second-place.

·        19 of the 36 (52.7%) NASCAR Sprint Cup races at New Hampshire have been won from a top-10 starting position.

·        Nine of the 36 (25.0%) NASCAR Sprint Cup races at New Hampshire have been won from a starting position outside the top 20.

·        The deepest in the field that a race winner has started at New Hampshire was 38th, by Jeff Burton in 1999.

·        Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart are tied for the series lead in runner-up finishes at New Hampshire with five each.

·        Jeff Gordon leads the series in top-five finishes at New Hampshire with 16; followed by Tony Stewart with 14.

·        Jeff Gordon leads the series in top-10 finishes at New Hampshire with 21; followed by Tony Stewart with 17.

·        Ryan Newman leads the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in average starting position at New Hampshire with an 8.045.

·        Denny Hamlin leads the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in average finishing position at New Hampshire with a 7.929.

·        All 15 active NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race winners at New Hampshire Motor Speedway participated in at least one or more races before visiting Victory Lane. Ryan Newman and Joey Logano won at New Hampshire in their second appearance.

·        Mark Martin competed at New Hampshire Motor Speedway 25 times before winning in 2009; the longest span of any the 15 active NASCAR Sprint Cup winners.

·        Bobby Labonte leads the series among active drivers with the most NASCAR Sprint Cup starts at New Hampshire without visiting Victory Lane at 36.

·        Since the advent of electronic scoring the closest margin of victory (MOV) in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at New Hampshire Motor Speedway was the July 1, 2007 race won by Denny Hamlin over Jeff Gordon with a MOV of 0.068 second.

·        Only one of the NASCAR Sprint Cup races have resulted with a green-white-checkered finish at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (Scheduled No. of Laps/Actual No. of Laps): 2006 (300/308).

·        Four of the 36 NASCAR Sprint Cup races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway has been shortened due to weather conditions; the most recent was June 28, 2009 – the race was called on Lap 273, 28 circuits shy of the 301 scheduled laps.

·        Qualifying has been cancelled due to weather conditions in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at New Hampshire Motor Speedway four times: 2001, 2004, 2008 and 2009.

·        Three NASCAR Sprint Cup active drivers have made their first career start at New Hampshire Motor Speedway: Jeff Burton (9/14/93), Joe Nemechek (7/11/93), and Joey Logano (9/14/08).

·        Brad Keselowski (9/19/10) is the only active driver to post his first career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coors Light pole at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

·        Four active NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers have posted their first career win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway: Joe Nemechek (9/19/99), Ryan Newman (9/15/02), Clint Bowyer (9/16/07) and Joey Logano (6/28/09).

·        Jeff Gordon leads all active NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers in laps led at New Hampshire with 1,316 in 36 starts.

·        Danica Patrick will attempt to become the first female driver to compete in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Patrick does have one start in the NASCAR Nationwide Series at NHMS; she started 18th and finished 14th (7/14/2012).

 

Daytona International Speedway: History& Notebook

Daytona International Speedway:

History

·        Groundbreaking for Daytona International Speedway was Nov. 25, 1957. The soil underneath the banked corners was dug from the infield of the track and the hole filled with water. It is now known as Lake Lloyd.

·        The first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona was a 100-mile qualifying race for the Daytona 500 on Feb. 20, 1959 – won by Bob Welborn.

·        The first summer race at Daytona International Speedway was held on July 4, 1959 – won by Fireball Roberts (140.581 mph).

·        NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty won his 200th career race on July 4, 1984 at Daytona.

·        Lights were installed in the spring of 1998. However, the July race was delayed until October that year due to thick smoke from wildfires. The second Daytona race has been held under the lights ever since.

·        The track underwent a repave in 2010.

Notebook

·        There have been 132 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Daytona International Speedway since the track hosted its first race in 1959:  55 have been 500 miles, 50 were 400 miles and four 250 miles. There were also 23 qualifier races that were point races.

·        436 drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Sprint Cup Series’ July race at Daytona International Speedway; 273 in more than one.

·        Richard Petty leads the series in July race starts at Daytona with 32. Terry Labonte leads all active drivers with 29 starts; followed by Mark Martin with 26.

·        Fireball Roberts won the inaugural Coors Light pole for the July race at Daytona in 1959 with a speed of 144.997 mph.

·        36 drivers have Coors Light poles at Daytona for the July event, led by NASCAR Hall of Famer Cale Yarborough with eight. Jeff Gordon leads all active drivers in poles, with three.

·        Three drivers have won consecutive Coors Light poles for the July race at Daytona: Cale Yarborough (1970-’71; 1980-’81, 1983-’84), Sterling Marlin (1991-’92) and Dale Earnhardt (1994-’95).

·        Youngest Daytona pole winner: Jeff Gordon (07/06/1996 – 24 years, 11 months, 2 days).

·        Oldest Daytona pole winner: Mark Martin (07/02/2011 – 52 years, 5 months, 23 days).

·        33 different drivers have won the July race at Daytona International Speedway, led by NASCAR Hall of Famer David Pearson with five wins. Tony Stewart leads all active drivers with four.   

·        Five drivers have posted consecutive wins in the July race at Daytona International Speedway, including three consecutive by David Pearson (1972 - 1974). Tony Stewart (2005-’06)is the only active driver to win consecutive July races at Daytona.

·        Youngest Daytona winner: Trevor Bayne (02/20/2011 – 20 years, 0 months, 1 day).

·        Oldest Daytona winner: Bobby Allison (02/14/1988 – 50 years, 5 months, 23 days).

·        The Wood Brothershave the most wins at Daytona in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with 15.

·        Seven different manufacturers have won the July NSCS race at Daytona; led by Chevrolet with 17 victories; followed by Ford with 16.

·        A driver has swept both races (Daytona 500 and Coke Zero 400) at Daytona only four times, most recently - Bobby Allison in 1982. Jimmie Johnson won the 2013 Daytona 500.

·        Eight of the 54 (14.8%) July NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Daytona have been won from the Coors Light pole; the most recent was Kevin Harvick in 2010.

·        The Coors Light pole is the most proficient starting position in the field, producing more winners (eight) than any other starting position in the July race at Daytona International Speedway.   

·        15 of the 54 (27.7%) July NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Daytona have been won from the front row: eight from the pole and seven from second-place.

·        40 of the 54 (48.1%) July NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Daytona have been won from a top-10 starting position.

·        Four of the 54 (7.4%) July NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Daytona have been won from a starting position outside the top 20.

·        The deepest in the field that a race winner has started at Dover was 42nd, by Tony Stewart in last season’s race.  

·        Buddy Baker leads the series in runner-up finishes in the July race at Daytona with five; followed by Richard Petty and Sterling Marlin with four. Jeff Burton, Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch and Terry Labonte lead all active drivers with two each.

·        NASCAR Hall of Famer David Pearson leads the series in top-five finishes in the July race at Daytona with 13; followed by Richard Petty with 12. Jeff Gordon leads all active drivers with seven.    

·        David Pearson leads the series in top-10 finishes in the July race at Daytona with 19; followed by Dale Earnhardt with 18. Terry Labonte leads all active drivers with 14.

·        Jimmie Johnson leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in average starting position at Daytona with a 9.609.

·        Dale Earnhardt Jr. leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in average finishing position at Daytona with a 14.037.

·        Nine of the 10 active NASCAR Sprint Cup Series July race winners at Daytona International Speedway participated in at least one or more races before visiting Victory Lane. Greg Biffle won the July race at Daytona in his first appearance.      

·        Michael Waltrip competed in the July race at Daytona International Speedway 16 times before winning in 2002; the longest span of any the 10 active NASCAR Sprint Cup Series winners.

·        Terry Labonte leads the series among active drivers with the most NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Daytona without visiting Victory Lane at 60; followed by Mark Martin with 55.

·        Since the advent of electronic scoring the closest margin of victory (MOV) in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Daytona International Speedway for the July race was the July 7, 2007 race won by Jamie McMurray over Kyle Busch with a MOV of 0.005 second.

·        Three of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series July races have resulted with a green-white-checkered finish at Daytona International Speedway (Scheduled No. of Laps/Actual No. of Laps): 2008 (160/162), 2010 (160/166) and 2011 (160/170).

·        Only one of the 54 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series July races at Daytona International Speedway has been shortened due to weather conditions – July 6, 1996 – the race was called on Lap 117, 43 circuits shy of the 160 scheduled laps.    

·        Qualifying for the July race has been cancelled due to weather conditions in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Daytona International Speedway three times: 2007, 2009, and 2010.    

·        Six NASCAR Sprint Cup Series active drivers have made their first career start at Daytona International Speedway, though none were during the July race: Tony Stewart (2/14/99), Casey Mears (2/16/03), Scott Riggs (2/15/04), Kasey Kahne (2/15/04), Brian Keselowski (2/20/11) and Danica Patrick (2/27/12).

·        Five active drivers have posted their first career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coors Light pole at Daytona International Speedway: Greg Biffle (2/15/04), Kevin Harvick (7/6/02), Jimmie Johnson (2/17/02), Paul Menard (7/5/08) and Danica Patrick (2/24/13).      

·        Four active NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers have posted their first career win at Daytona International Speedway: Trevor Bayne (2/20/11), Greg Biffle (7/5/03), David Ragan (7/2/11) and Michael Waltrip (2/18/01).

·        Tony Stewart leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in laps led at Daytona with 665 laps led in 29 starts.