RACING LEGENDS, CURRENT STARS

RACING LEGENDS, CURRENT STARS HIGHLIGHT APPEARANCE SCHEDULE FOR THE PROFIT ON CNBC 500 WEEKEND

Schedule for Driver Appearances Is Announced

PHOENIX – NASCAR fans and racing fans in general are in for a special treat during The Profit on CNBC 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race weekend at Phoenix International Raceway. In addition to current stars of the sport, a number of legendary race car drivers will make appearances at PIR in celebration of the track’s 50^th anniversary.

Legends such as A.J. Foyt, Bobby Allison, Tom Sneva, Rusty Wallace, Michael Waltrip and Billy Boat will all make public appearances throughout the weekend.

On Saturday, March 1, Foyt will join current star Tony Stewart for a joint appearance in the Budweiser ROLL-BAR Club on Saturday at 11 a.m. MST.

Allison, a three-time Daytona 500 champion and the 1983 Winston Cup Series champion, will visit ‘Memory Lane,’ where his 1973 Chevelle Grand National is on display, at the same time. Allison will also stop by ROLL-BAR for a question-and-answer session at 11:30 a.m.

Two-time Daytona 500 champion Waltrip will follow Allison in ‘Memory Lane’ at 11:30 a.m. before stopping by PIR’s exclusive Octane club at 11:50 a.m. Boat, a legend in Valley racing circles, will appear in Memory Lane at 11:45, and Scottsdale resident Sneva, the 1983 Indianapolis 500 champion, will follow him on stage at Noon.

Among active drivers, 2014 Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year contender and Tucson native Alex Bowman will precede them in the ROLL-BAR Club at 10:45 a.m. and Phoenix native Michael McDowell will visit Octane at 11 a.m.

A star-studded lineup  of appearances on Sunday, March 2 includes the Stewart-Haas Racing teammates of Danica Patrick and four-time race winner at PIR Kevin Harvick, along with legends like Wallace, Allison and Sneva.

Patrick and Harvick will make consecutive appearances at 9:50 and 10:00 a.m. MST in ROLL-BAR, respectively while UFC star and PIR’s Honorary Pace Car Driver Chael Sonnen will take the ROLL-BAR stage at 9:30.

‘Memory Lane’ will again be a popular destination, as Aric Almirola, driver of the No. 43 Farmland Ford, will appear at 9:15, followed by master storyteller Sneva at 10. 1989 Winston Cup champion Wallace will take the ‘Memory Lane’ stage at 10:30 followed by Allison at 10:45.

McDowell will visit the Trackside Club, located above Turn 4, at 10:25, while Sneva will stop by Octane at 10:30.

Tickets to the ROLL-BAR Club, Trackside Club and Octane are available for advance purchase by visiting PhoenixRaceway.com or by calling 1-866-408-RACE (7223).  Memory Lane is free to all fans with a grandstand ticket

A grandstand ticket is still required for track admission.

Blue Jeans Go Green^TM 200 Presented by Cotton, The Fabric of Our Lives® Pre-Race Driver Appearances

Saturday, March 1

10:45 a.m.                           Alex Bowman                                    ROLL-BAR Club

11:00 a.m.                           Tony Stewart & A.J. Foyt              ROLL-BAR Club

11:00 a.m.                           Michael McDowell                           Octane

11:00 a.m.                           Bobby Allison                                     Memory Lane

11:30 a.m.                           Bobby Allison                                     ROLL-BAR

11:30 a.m.                           Michael Waltrip                                                Memory Lane

11:45 a.m.                           Billy Boat                                              Memory Lane

12:00 p.m.                           Tom Sneva                                          Memory Lane

The Profit on CNBC 500 Pre-Race Driver Appearances

Sunday, March 2

9:15 a.m.                              Aric Almirola                                       Memory Lane

9:30 a.m.                              Chael Sonnen                                    Budweiser ROLL-BAR Club

9:50 a.m.                              Danica Patrick                                    ROLL-BAR Club

10:00 a.m.                           Kevin Harvick                                     Budweiser ROLL-BAR Club

10:25 a.m.                           Michael McDowell                           Trackside Club

10:30 a.m.                           Tom Sneva                                          Octane

10:30 a.m.                           Rusty Wallace                                    Memory Lane

10:45 a.m.                           Bobby Allison                                     Memory Lane

About Phoenix International Raceway

Since 1964, Phoenix International Raceway has been the premier motorsports venue in the Southwest. Host to some of the most notable moments in motorsports history, PIR will celebrate its 50th anniversary throughout the entire 2014 season. As the only track in the West to have two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekends a year, PIR will help kick off the 2014 NASCAR season with its traditional March date and round out the year with the semifinal race for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup in November. Season tickets for 2014 are available by visiting PhoenixRaceway.com or calling 866-408-RACE (7223).

Daytona International Speedway

Daytona International Speedway   2/17/2014

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.

·        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 133 NASCAR Sprint Cup races since the track hosted its first race in 1959: 55 have been 500 miles, 51 were 400 miles and four 250 miles. There were also 23 qualifier races that were point races.

·        Fireball Roberts won the inaugural pole at Daytona.

·        Bob Welborn won the first race at Daytona, the 100-mile qualifying race for the Daytona 500.

·        Lee Petty won the inaugural Daytona 500 on Feb. 22, 1959; he led 38 laps and won by 2 feet.

·        Fireball Roberts won the first 400-mile race at Daytona, the 1963 Firecracker 400.

·        57 drivers have posted poles at Daytona.

·        Cale Yarborough leads all drivers with 12 poles at Daytona.

·        Jeff Gordon and Mark Martin lead all active drivers with three poles at Daytona.

·        56 drivers have won at Daytona.

·        Richard Petty leads all drivers in victories at Daytona with 10.

·        Jeff Gordon has six victories at Daytona, more than any other active driver.

·        The Wood Brothers have won 15 races at Daytona, more than any other car owner.

·        17 full-length races at Daytona have been won from the pole; the last to do it was Jimmie Johnson in the 2013 Daytona 500.

·        A driver has swept both the Daytona 500 and the July race only five times at Daytona International Speedway: Jimmie Johnson (2013), Bobby Allison (1982), LeeRoy Yarborough (1969), Cale Yarborough (1968) and Fireball Roberts (1962).

 

NASCAR in Florida

There have been 174 NASCAR Sprint Cup races in Florida.

Track Name	City	NSCS
Daytona International Speedway	Daytona Beach	133
Homestead-Miami Speedway	Homestead	15
Daytona Beach & Road Course	Daytona Beach	10
Palm Beach Speedway	W. Palm Beach	7
Speedway Park	Jacksonville	6
Five Flags Speedway	Pensacola	1
Golden Gate Speedway	Tampa	1
Titusville-Cocoa Speedway	Titusville	1

·        171 drivers in NASCAR’s three national series have their home state recorded as Florida.

·        There have been 10 race winners with their home state recorded as Florida in NASCAR’s three national series:

Driver	NSCS	NNS	NCWTS
Fireball Roberts	33	0	0
LeeRoy Yarbrough	14	0	0
Marshall Teague	7	0	0
Joe Nemechek	4	16	0
Bobby Johns	2	0	0
David Reutimann	2	1	1
Shorty Rollins	1	0	0
Rick Wilson	0	2	0
Aric Almirola	0	1	2
Joey Coulter	0	0	1

WORLD'S LARGEST HD VIDEO BOARD AT TEXAS SPEEDWAY

WORKERS ENTER FINAL PHASE OF CONSTRUCTION ON WORLD'S LARGEST HD VIDEO BOARD AT TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

FORT WORTH, Texas (Feb. 14, 2014) - Frigid temperatures, snow and ice in North Texas has not slowed construction workers from continued progress on the world's largest HD video board created by Panasonic at Texas Motor Speedway.

On Friday, Dallas/Fort Worth media members were led by Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage on a sneak preview of "Big Hoss TV," which is scheduled to be completed by March 1 and officially dedicated during pre-race ceremonies for the Duck Commander 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, April 6.

Towering 12 stories high over the backstretch is the completed steel framework that will serve as the foundation for "Big Hoss TV." Workers have installed 28 of the 40 LED modules - each measuring 54.5 feet by 9.5 feet - that will be placed in 10 rows of four that will serve as record HD display area that measures 218 feet (width) by 94.6 feet (height).

Once completed, "Big Hoss TV" will provide fans with 20,633.34 square feet of HD imagery and will be 79 percent larger than the video board at AT&T Stadium (11,520 sf), home of the Dallas Cowboys. It also will surpass current record-holder Charlotte Motor Speedway (16,000 square feet), the Speedway Motorsports, Inc. sister track of Texas Motor Speedway, for the world's largest HD video board at a sporting venue.

"This is the largest fan amenity we have ever undertaken in the history of Texas Motor Speedway and it truly should be a game changer in the industry," Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage said. "Panasonic has done a tremendous job in keeping the project on schedule and have their crews working around the clock seven days a week on this enormous undertaking. Given the target completion date of March 1, we're working on a "Big Hoss TV" sneak preview event with a dynamic entertainment element that will be open to the public in mid-March that will be announced soon."

"Big Hoss TV" also requires a state-of-the-art control room that is being built and housed adjacent to the timing and scoring booth atop the start/finish line on suite level. The control room houses five servers and two switchers that control the video feed to "Big Hoss TV."

The control room operator will have the luxury of choosing from 19 different cameras, 16 of which are operated by two production trucks. Ultimately, the video is broken up into 16 different sections on the video board. The equipment will be manned by a minimum of five individuals which will include producer, director and technical directors.

Construction on "Big Hoss TV" began after November's AAA Texas 500 as workers began digging 16 anchor holes 42 feet deep and four feet in diameter for the massive 108-ton structure. "Big Hoss TV" is anchored with 42 feet of steel rebar reinforced in the ground by 20 yards of concrete filled in each of the holes. The strength of the foundation allows for "Big Hoss TV" to sustain winds of 140 miles per hour.

Initial construction plans also required workers to install 4,200 feet of 96-strand fiber optic cable that runs from the location of "Big Hoss TV" on the backstretch to the control room in the frontstretch suites.

Workers have moved to a seven-day work week the past month to put the finishing touches on the project by the end of the month. The final phase of the project includes completion of the electrical infrastructure inside of the video board, where workers will install electricity and fiber optic connections to each of the 40 LED modules. Workers also will install the final wiring in the control room before they begin to test the lower section of the LED modules early next week.

STROLL DOWN MEMORY LANE:PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY

PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY INVITES FANS TO STROLL DOWN MEMORY LANE DURING NASCAR RACE WEEKEND

Exhibit to feature historic cars, memorabilia, appearances by legendary drivers

 

PHOENIX, Ariz. – As Phoenix International Raceway prepares to kick off its 50^th anniversary season, the track is inviting fans to take a stroll down, ‘Memory Lane, Presented by BlueMedia’ a one-of-a-kind historical exhibit featuring race cars and memorabilia with connections to the track’s past.

 

Located in the fan midway area behind the Bobby Allison Grandstand, ‘Memory Lane’ will showcase 15 historic cars, including the 1964 roadster driven to victory by A.J. Foyt in the first professional race ever held at PIR in March, 1964. Admission to the exhibit is free to everyone with a grandstand ticket. The exhibit, which is housed in a tent provided by Classic Party Rentals, will be open beginning when the track’s gates open each day during race weekend.

 

“This 50^th anniversary celebration creates a wonderful opportunity to pay tribute to our rich racing history here in Phoenix, and ‘Memory Lane’ will be the centerpiece of that,” said PIR president Bryan R. Sperber. “I encourage all of our fans to take time during the race weekend and visit Memory Lane. The cars and memorabilia, along with the appearances from some of the great drivers who have raced here, will combine to make it a truly special experience.”

 

Other cars on display will include Alan Kulwicki’s No. 7 Zerex Thunderbird that won the first-ever NASCAR Winston Cup Series race at PIR in November, 1988, and a USAC Silver Crown car driven by Tony Stewart in the 1993 Copper World Classic at PIR. A full list of the cars on display is included below.

 

Memorabilia on display will include several trophies which were won at PIR, including the Bobby Ball Trophy which was awarded annually to the winner of the Bobby Ball Memorial in PIR’s early years. Additionally, several fire suits and helmets worn by drivers through the years will be on display, along with programs, posters, photos, pins and pennants from past races. Many of the items are generously on loan from the Arizona Open Wheel Motorsports Museum.

 

Several legendary drivers and racing personalities will make special appearances on the stage in Memory Lane through the weekend to share their favorite stories and memories from racing at Phoenix through the years. A full schedule of appearances will be announced at a later date.

 

Historic cars on display at Memory Lane:

·         Roadster driven by Phoenix racing legend Bobby Ball in the 1960’s

·         1964 roadster driven to victory by A.J. Foyt in the first professional race at PIR

·         1973 Chevelle Grand National driven by Bobby Allison

·         1988 Zerex Thunderbird driven to victory by Alan Kulwicki in the inaugural NASCAR Winston Cup Series race at PIR

·         1988 Folgers Chevrolet driven by Ken Schrader, the all-time winningest driver at PIR

·         1989 Mello Yello Chevrolet Lumina used in the filming of “Days of Thunder” at PIR

·         1991 USAC Silver Crown car driven by Jeff Gordon in the Copper World Classic

·         1991 Havoline Ford driven to victory at PIR by Davey Allison

·         1992 Hooters Thunderbird driven during Alan Kulwicki’s Winston Cup-winning season

·         1993 USAC Silver Crown car driven by Tony Stewart in the Copper World Classic

·         1995 Goodwrench Chevrolet truck driven by Mike Skinner in inaugural NASCAR truck race at PIR

·         1996 Goodwrench Chevrolet driven by Dale Earnhardt

·         1997 USAC Midget driven by Billy Boat in the Copper World Classic

·         1997 Miller Genuine Draft Ford, known as “Midnight,” driven by Rusty Wallace

·         2003 Grand National Daytona Prototype driven to victory on the old road course at PIR by Hurley Heywood and J.C. France

 

One of PIR’s 50^th Anniversary ‘Memory Lane’ partners, Freescale will also be showcasing their significant involvement in the evolution of NASCAR in an engaging, interactive display.

 

Tickets to the exciting Feb 27-March 2 The Profit on CNBC 500 NASCAR event weekend are available with Sprint Cup Series ticket prices starting at just $25. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.PhoenixRaceway.com or call 866-408-RACE (7223).

 

NASCAR evaluates sponsorship:

NASCAR evaluates sponsorship: NASCAR has transformed its research and insights capabilities, giving the racing-car circuit's commercial partners - like Coca-Cola - a deeper insight into return on investment than ever before. Sean Doherty, NASCAR director/digital and social-media engagement, told an American Marketing Association (AMA) webcast audience: "The Coca-Cola Co. came to us and wanted a brand analysis for each of their drivers. They wanted share for each driver; how each one engaged with fans; and the size of their social footprint. They wanted to be able to activate their brand against a track, a race, or off site as well." Stepping up to that challenge, said Doherty, "We had to transition from a PR department to a fully-integrated marketing communications model. We took a deep dive into the industry's position relative to digital and social media. We researched the way that fans experienced our events. And we looked at the way people consumed other sports and entertainment properties. We searched for growth markets to attract new fans to the sport. And we also took a critical look at our current portfolio of drivers." NASCAR found a partner to give it the tools required to make this transition, as information technology group Hewlett-Packer designed and created the Fan and Media Engagement Center. This research facility features 13 screens of 46 inches in size, as well as three work stations and the analytical tools NASCAR needs to help race-car teams, tracks, sponsors, broadcast partners process more data faster. The facility provided Coca-Cola with the insight it needed, as well as securing engagement from a group of other Fortune 100 companies, including Sprint, Goodyear Tires, MillerCoors and ExxonMobil.(Warc)(2-11-2014)

Toyota Becomes First Founding Partner of Historic DAYTONA Rising

Toyota Becomes First Founding Partner of Historic DAYTONA Rising Project At Daytona International Speedway 

Extends Multi-Year Partnership At Several International Speedway Corporation Properties

CHICAGO and DAYTONA BEACH – International Speedway Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select Market: ISCA; OTC Bulletin Board: ISCB) ("ISC") today announced a groundbreaking, multi-year partnership with Toyota Motor Sales (TMS) U.S.A., Inc. that will make Toyota the first Founding Partner at Daytona International Speedway as part of its unprecedented $400 million DAYTONA Rising redevelopment project.

DAYTONA Rising is ISC’s complete reimagining of the fan and sponsor experience at its iconic Daytona International Speedway, a multi-year project encompassing the Speedway’s nearly one-mile long frontstretch that, upon completion in January 2016, will create a world-class facility with premium amenities unmatched in the industry. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

"When we started drafting the designs of DAYTONA Rising, we envisioned partnering with equally forward-thinking organizations like Toyota to bring forth the very best experience for our fans and guests," said ISC Chief Executive Officer Lesa France Kennedy. "Toyota has been a great partner for many years and we will continue to work together to enhance the fan experience at many of our facilities across the country."

Beginning in 2015, the 11-year agreement will provide Toyota with naming rights for one of five fan injectors.  The massive, new and redesigned entry statement includes over 20,000 square feet of Toyota engagement and fan experience that vertically spans four concourse levels.

The Toyota brand will also have a presence in the new "World Center of Racing" zone, the central "neighborhood" overlooking Daytona’s famed start/finish line inside the new frontstretch facility. The "World Center of Racing" zone is roughly the area of two football fields where Daytona International Speedway, its partners and race fans will celebrate the history and legacy of racing at the iconic motorsports venue.  Fans will be able to socialize and enjoy themselves in this area prior to, during and after a race.

Ten additional neighborhoods, each the size of a football field, will be located throughout the new frontstretch with custom bar, retail and dining areas, as well as dozens of video screens to provide fans with non-stop views of on-track action while they mingle with friends. Toyota will also have branding rights to a neighborhood near the Toyota injector.

Additionally, Toyota will serve as an official partner of "The Great American Race," the DAYTONA 500®, and will receive official pace car rights in 2015.

"DAYTONA Rising represents our commitment to delivering engaging and innovative ways for our partners to showcase their brand," said Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III. "We’re proud to integrate Toyota into this historic project. Our fans and guests will now enjoy more exciting, innovative and engaging experiences from the moment they enter the new facility to the time they reach their seats and beyond."

In addition to the Founding Partner status with DAYTONA Rising, Toyota also extended the following sponsorship rights at other ISC venues: 

• Race entitlement sponsorship of the spring NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series races at Richmond International Raceway® 

• Pace Car rights at Auto Club Speedway®, Chicagoland Speedway®, Kansas Speedway®, Phoenix International Raceway®, Richmond International Raceway® and Watkins Glen International® for each NASCAR major event weekend, as well as Official Vehicle at Route 66 Raceway®

The partnership was announced today at the Chicago Auto Show, the same location where Toyota initially revealed its plans more than 10 years ago to participate for the first time in NASCAR, as part of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

"This is a unique opportunity for Toyota to elevate our brand in the motorsports community, especially through the DAYTONA Rising project," said Bob Carter, senior vice president of automotive operations of Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. "ISC and Daytona International Speedway will provide strong platforms to interact with our guests and most importantly, our race fans.

About International Speedway Corporation
International Speedway Corporation is a leading promoter of motorsports activities, currently promoting more than 100 racing events annually as well as numerous other motorsports-related activities.  The Company owns and/or operates 13 of the nation's major motorsports entertainment facilities, including Daytona International Speedway® in Florida (home of the DAYTONA 500®); Talladega Superspeedway® in Alabama; Michigan International Speedway® located outside Detroit; Richmond International Raceway® in Virginia; Auto Club Speedway of Southern California^SM near Los Angeles; Kansas Speedway® in Kansas City, Kansas; Phoenix International Raceway® in Arizona; Chicagoland Speedway® and Route 66 Raceway^SM near Chicago, Illinois;  Homestead-Miami Speedway^SM in Florida; Martinsville Speedway® in Virginia; Darlington Raceway® in South Carolina; and Watkins Glen International® in New York. 

The Company also owns and operates Motor Racing Network, the nation's largest independent sports radio network and Americrown Service Corporation^SM, a subsidiary that provides catering services, food and beverage concessions, and produces and markets motorsports-related merchandise.  In addition, the Company has a 50 percent interest in the Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway.  For more information, visit the Company's Web site at www.internationalspeedwaycorporation.com. 

About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM), the world's top automaker and creator of the Prius, is committed to building vehicles for the way people live through our Toyota, Lexus and Scion brands.  Over the past 50 years, we’ve built more than 25 million cars and trucks in North America, where we operate 14 manufacturing plants and directly employ nearly 40,000 people.  Our 1,800 North American dealerships sold more than 2.5 million cars and trucks in 2013 – and about 80 percent of all Toyota vehicles sold over the past 20 years are still on the road today. 

Toyota partners with philanthropic organizations across the country, with a focus on education, safety and the environment.  As part of this commitment, we share the company’s extensive know-how garnered from building great cars and trucks to help community organizations and other nonprofits expand their ability to do good. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.  

About DAYTONA Rising
DAYTONA Rising is a $400 million reimagining of an American icon – Daytona International Speedway. Five expanded and redesigned entrances, or "injectors," will lead fans to a series of escalators and elevators, transporting them to three different concourse levels. Each level features spacious social areas, or "neighborhoods," along the nearly mile-long frontstretch. At the conclusion of the redevelopment, Daytona International Speedway will have approximately 101,000 permanent, wider and more comfortable seats, twice as many restrooms and three times as many concession stands. In addition, the Speedway will feature over 60 luxury suites with track side views and a completely revamped hospitality experience for corporate guests.  DAYTONA Rising: Reimagining an American Icon, expected to create 6,300 jobs, $300 million in labor income and over $80 million in tax revenue, will be completed in time for the 2016 Rolex 24 At Daytona and DAYTONA 500. DAYTONA Rising was recently cited as a key source of expected job growth in Volusia County as part of the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey.

Barton Malow is serving as the design-builder for the project. In addition to DAYTONA Rising, Barton Malow has renovated the University of Michigan "Big House" and the Rose Bowl.

ROSSETTI, an award-winning architectural design and planning firm for the past 40 years, which headed the design for Ford Field NFL Stadium, University of Notre Dame Compton Family Ice Arena and five Major League Soccer Stadiums, is leading the master planning of the DAYTONA Rising site.

Race fans can follow the progress of the DAYTONA Rising project by visiting www.DAYTONARising.com and connecting with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.  Also, fans can see the construction project up close by taking one of the daily tours available at the Speedway on non-event days throughout the year.  Visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/tours or the Speedway Ticket and Tours Building for more information.

For tickets and more information on Daytona International Speedway events, visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or call 1-800-PITSHOP.

About Daytona International Speedway
Daytona International Speedway is the home of "The Great American Race" - the DAYTONA 500. Though the season-opening NASCAR Sprint Cup event garners most of the attention - as well as the largest audience in motorsports - the approximately 500-acre motorsports complex boasts the most diverse schedule of racing on the globe, thus earning it the title of "World Center of Racing." In addition to eight major weekends of racing activity, rarely a week goes by that the Speedway grounds are not used for events that include civic and social gatherings, car shows, photo shoots, production vehicle testing and police motorcycle training.

2014 Canadian Tire Series Schedule Announced

2014 Canadian Tire Series Schedule Announced

·         Inaugural Dates At Two Ovals

·         Challenging Mix Of Short Tracks And Road Courses Determine Champion

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 5, 2014) – The words “NATIONAL CHAMPION” are stamped in big, bold words across the base of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series championship trophy.

And the 2014 schedule will feature Canada’s best stock car drivers banging fenders at 10 venues in five provinces, from Nova Scotia to Alberta. The 11-race slate will start on Victoria Day weekend as part of Canadian Tire Motorsport Park’s popular Speedfest weekend and culminate at its traditional Kawartha Speedway date in September.

The schedule announcement is highlighted by the return of the late summer companion date with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at CTMP, as well as the additions of a pair of short tracks. The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series has added an early June trip to Quebec to take on the quarter-mile track at Autodrome Chaudiére and a mid-July visit to another short track at Alberta’s Edmonton International Raceway.

“The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series’ blend of exciting ovals and top-shelf road courses from Alberta to Nova Scotia with several stops in between continues to provide race fans across the country a high level of competition,” said George Silbermann, NASCAR vice president, regional and touring series. “The two new additions to the calendar along with the extremely successful second date at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park set up another thrilling championship battle.”

TSN, Canada’s sport leader, again will be the television home of the Canadian Tire Series as it has since the series’ inaugural season in 2007. RDS, the French-language sister station to TSN, also will continue to provide coverage through its primary channel along with its secondary outlet at RDS2. Complete programming details will be announced at a later date.

The 2014 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series schedule rundown:

Canadian Tire Motorsport Park – The Canadian Tire Series’ eighth season kicks off at the Victoria Day SpeedFest on May 18 and joins the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series on an Aug. 31 return to the legendary Ontario road course.

Autodrome Chaudiére – The series makes it inaugural visit to the high-banked asphalt oval situated just south of Quebec City on June 14 in the first of four Quebec dates this year. The track opened in 1992 as a dirt track and was paved in 2005.

Circuit ICAR – A July 16 date at the challenging 2.113-mile road course in Mirabel, Que., is in store as the series make its fourth appearance at the airport circuit. The tight turns and concrete surface provides plenty of excitement for the drivers and fans.

Edmonton International Raceway – The annual Western Canadian swing gets underway with the inaugural visit on July 11 to the Alberta quarter-mile that has been a long-standing member of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.

Auto Clearing Speedway – The western swing concludes on July 16 at the fast .333-mile Saskatchewan oval. Capacity crowds have been on hand in each of the series’ five visits to the track.

Autodrome St. Eustache – After a successful return in 2013 to the .4-mile flat oval located just minutes from Montreal, a July 26 date is on the books in front of the passionate Quebec fans.

Circuit de Trois-Rivieres – The Grand Prix de Trois-Rivieres is one of the highlights of every Canadian Tire Series season. This year a longer 200-kilometer race is scheduled for Aug. 10.

Riverside International Speedway – Series competitors always circle the annual visit – slated for Aug. 16 – to the Canadian Maritimes to battle on the high-banked oval located in Antigonish, N.S.

Barrie Speedway – The .333-mile tri-oval never fails to provide excitement. This season’s trip to the cozy Ontario oval is scheduled for Sept. 6.

Kawartha Speedway – The traditional crowning of the new NASCAR Canadian Tire Series champion at the .375-mile track in Ontario is on tap for Sept. 20.

2014 NASCAR CANADIAN TIRE SERIES SCHEDULE

Date                             Track (Length)                                                                                    Location

Sun., May 18                 Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (2.459-mile road course)           Bowmanville, Ont.

Sat., June 14                 Autodrome Chaudiére (.25-mile)                                          Vallée-Jonction, Que.

Sun., July 6                   Circuit ICAR (2.113-mile road course)                                              Mirabel, Que.

Fri., July 11                   Edmonton International Raceway (.25-mile)                                Wetaskiwin, Alta.

Wed., July 16                Auto Clearing Motor Speedway (.333-mile)                               Saskatoon, Sask.

Sat., July 26                  Autodrome St. Eustache (.4-mile)                                           St. Eustache, Que.

Sun., Aug. 10                Circuit de Trois-Rivieres (1.53-mile road course)                     Trois-Rivieres, Que.

Sat., Aug, 16                 Riverside International Speedway (.333-mile)                               Antigonish, N.S.

Sun., Aug. 31                Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (2.459-mile road course)           Bowmanville, Ont.

Sat., Sept 6                  Barrie Speedway (.333-mile)                                                              Barrie, Ont.

Sat., Sept. 20                Kawartha Speedway (.375-mile)                                             Peterborough, Ont.

Subject to change

SPEEDWAY TO HOST MIAMI HISTORICS EVENT

SPEEDWAY TO HOST MIAMI HISTORICS EVENT MARCH 7-9

An array of classic and contemporary autos will race on road course

MIAMI – Homestead-Miami Speedway today announced that it will host The Miami Historics -- a full slate of vintage car races --during the weekend of March 7-9, 2014.  Track President Matthew Becherer made the announcement.

 

The event will feature 17 different races over two days on the track’s infield road course – a 15 turn 2.2 mile traditional layout – by both the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) and the Trans Am Race Series.  It will include a full complement of SVRA Sprint and Hawk Performance Endurance races that are part of the East Coast championships. 

 

“While it will be fantastic racing, the stars of this event will be the cars, “said Becherer.  “Every ticket includes full access to the paddock where fans can get right up to the cars and drivers.  Anyone with even slight interest in fine automobiles should plan to attend.  You’ll see everything from Mustangs, Camaros and Corvettes racing against Ferraris, BMWs and Porsches.  The cars competing throughout the weekend will include legendary classic makes to well known contemporary brands.”

 

Individual daily tickets are $20 while three-day passes that include Friday (March 7) practices and qualifying are $30. Tickets for the event are on sale now here.  They are also available by phone at 305.230.5255. 

Saturday (March 8) activities will begin with practice for the various race groups at 8:00 a.m. ET, followed by qualifying and 10 different group races.  Sunday (March 9) activities will include four more SVRA races and the Trans Am Series race to at 3:00 p.m. to conclude the weekend. 

 

Practice and qualifying on Friday (March 7) will run from 8:00 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.

 

"We're excited to be visiting Homestead Miami Speedway for the first time in 2014,” said SVRA President and CEO Tony Parella. “I’m sure the South Florida race fans will enjoy the three days of action packed racing featuring cars from the 1950s to the present, as well as the chance to get up close and personal with the cars and drivers."

SVRA racing features classic MGs, Triumphs, BMWs, Allards, Jaguars and Lotuses, in addition to contemporary Camaros, Audis, Porches and Corvettes. 

“Trans Am is excited to return to Homestead-Miami and even more excited to re-introduce Trans Am to fans of the Series who call the Miami area home,” said Trans Am Race Company President John Clagett. “We’ll have a full complement of contemporary motorsport on display for them, from the iconic ‘TA’ cars they know and love, to the ongoing pony wars between the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang in TA2 and the performance sports cars of TA3 —between Trans Am’s offering, SVRA and the track, I’m confident we’ll put on a must-see event over the course of the weekend.”

The Trans Am Series has gone through several evolutions since it debuted in March 1966 at Sebring International Raceway in Central Florida.

About SVRA

The Sportscar Vintage Racing Association is one of the oldest and largest of the Vintage racing organizations in the United States. Originally called the Southeast Vintage Racing Association, it was founded in 1981 by Ford Heacock III. With an initial membership of 25 drivers and supporters, the organization has become the premier vintage racing organization in the United States with more than 1,500 members. Over the years SVRA has conducted Vintage events at legendary race tracks throughout the country including Willow Springs, Road America, Watkins Glen International, Virginia International Raceway, California Speedway and the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course , to name but a few.

During 2013 the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association embarked on an aggressive expansion program designed to bring the sport of Vintage Racing to a new level of professionalism and prominence.  Among the highlights were: the acquisition of HSR-West, making SVRA the first truly national Vintage Racing organization, the  implementation of a set of simplified set of rules & enforcement procedures, the launch of a dramatically upgraded,  more user friendly, website, as well as conducting the first ever U.S. Vintage Racing National Championships at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, TX .

The 2014 season features a schedule bolstered by the addition of the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway (another SVRA first in Vintage Racing), Pocono Raceway and the Homestead Miami Speedway. Additionally, the U.S. Vintage Racing National Championships will again be conducted at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin Texas.

Further information on SVRA can be found on our website, now averaging over 22000 “hits”/month, on Facebook  with over 8300 followers and on YouTube , with over 50 action packed videos available. As a point of interest, the overview video from the 2013 U.S. Vintage Racing National Championships has been viewed by more than 101,000 people. 

About the Trans Am Series

The Trans Am Series dates back to 1966. Throughout the years, some of the greatest names in motorsports have participated in the Trans Am Series. Past Trans Am Champions include Paul Gentilozzi, Tommy Kendall, Mark Donohue, Scott Pruett, Wally Dallenback Jr, George Follmer, Scott Sharp, Bob Tullius, Tony Ave, Bob Stretch, Simon Gregg, Doug Peterson, Cameron Lawrence and Chuck Cassaro.

The iconic Trans Am Series – America’s Road Racing Series–is operated by the Trans Am Race Company, LLC. Through a five-year agreement, the Trans Am Race Company manages the marketing rights to the series and is responsible for Trans Am Series public relations and promotions. SCCA Pro Racing sanctions Trans Am events and provides event operations services to the series.  

www.gotransam.com        www.facebook.com/gotransam @gotransam

 

About Homestead-Miami Speedway

The Speedway has been open since 1995 following an initiative to spur economic recovery in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew.  The 650-acre facility is active more than 280 days per year and will host NASCAR’s championship races during Ford Championship Weekend (November 14-16, 2014) for the 13^th consecutive year.  The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship Ford EcoBoost 400 is broadcast live on TV and radio to 200 countries in 24 languages.  Homestead-Miami Speedway, featuring a 1.5-mile oval and 2.21-mile road course, generates more than $250 million annually for the region.

 

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