PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY HONORED THREE TIMES BY NASCAR

PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY HONORED THREE TIMES BY NASCAR
PIR marketing, track services and community outreach

recognized by NASCAR in recent weeks

PHOENIX – Phoenix International Raceway was honored twice in recent weeks by NASCAR for outstanding work in the areas of marketing and community outreach. Earlier this year, PIR's 50th Anniversary was named NASCAR's Marketing Campaign of the Year and the PIR Track Services team received NASCAR's Track Services Teamwork Award; and today, PIR Communications Manager Greg Fresquez received NASCAR's Industry Ambassador Award.

"It's gratifying to see our team members be recognized for the great work that they do," said PIR President Bryan R. Sperber. "We talk a lot as a staff about the idea that we are stewards for the sport, and these awards are great examples of that stewardship in action. I am incredibly proud of our whole team, and these honors are just a small sample of the great work that they all do all year long."

PIR's 50th Anniversary was a year-long campaign that involved every facet of the organization and included a wide variety of fan touchpoints. Director of Consumer Marketing and Partnership Activation Kristie Maggs and Sr. Manager of Consumer Marketing Brianne Burrowes accepted the award on behalf of the PIR staff at NASCAR's annual Marketing and Communications Summit in Charlotte on January 31.

Some of the highlights of PIR's 50th Anniversary campaign included the special commemorative logo; a world-record 50-plane flyover prior to The Profit on CNBC 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on March 2, 2014; special events featuring The Phoenix Symphony and the West Valley Fine Arts Center; and Memory Lane, a historical exhibit at the race track which featured classic race cars and memorabilia with connections to the track. 

The PIR Track Services team was recognized for their work throughout the Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 weekend November. Director of Operations Brett Adams accepted the award on behalf of his team at the 2015 NASCAR Summit in Charlotte on January 13.

The Track Services Teamwork Award recognizes the track staff that best exemplifies a collaborative mindset while dealing with the challenges that occur during a race weekend. PIR's staff was specifically cited for its excellent communication with NASCAR and the drivers, race teams and industry stakeholders, as well as with the race fans in Phoenix, during the Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 weekend.

Fresquez was recognized as NASCAR's Industry Ambassador for his tireless work in engaging the Phoenix-area Hispanic community with NASCAR and in promoting the Toyota 120 NASCAR Mexico Series race at PIR. He accepted the award from International Speedway Corporation CEO Lesa France Kennedy at the NASCAR Diversity Awards Luncheon today in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Fresquez, a Valley native with a passion for racing, has developed strong relationships with a number of leaders within the Phoenix Hispanic community, including elected officials, educators, business owners, professional sports organizations and media members. The relationships he has cultivated within the NASCAR Mexico Series have resulted in multiple in-market appearances by Mexico Series drivers over the last two years to promote the sport and the Toyota 120. 

About Phoenix International Raceway

Since 1964, Phoenix International Raceway has been the premier motorsports venue in the Southwest. As the only track in the West to have two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekends a year, PIR will kick off its 2015 NASCAR season with the CampingWorld.com 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race weekend March 13-15. The season concludes with the Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race weekend Nov. 13-15. Season tickets are available by visiting PhoenixRaceway.com or calling 866-408-RACE (7223).