TULLY’S COFFEE AND PAPA JOHN’S TO FEATURE NEW BRANDED LOCATIONS AT DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY

Motorsports Stadium Will Now Provide Dedicated Spaces For Casual Dining, Quick-Service Restaurant Brands

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. December 02, 2015 – Daytona International Speedway (DIS) announced today that Tully’s Coffee and Papa John’s International, Inc. (NASDAQ: PZZA) will establish new branded locations at the Speedway as part of the amenities associated with the $400 million DAYTONA Rising redevelopment project. The new locations, each measuring 650 square feet, will be featured on the concourse levels and include customized branding and activation for each company.

“For the first time ever, we’re thrilled to offer dedicated locations for our restaurant partners,” Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III said. “These leading brands will provide elevated dining options for fans at our new motorsports stadium.”

Papa John’s, the world’s third-largest pizza delivery company, will feature four locations within the stadium. The branded locations will be operated by the local Papa John’s franchisee group, QS America, LLC.

“We at Papa John’s are honored to be a part of DAYTONA Rising, an incredibly important redevelopment project and one of Florida’s most iconic sites,” David Steenekamp, President of the Papa John’s franchisee group, QS America, LLC. “Soon motorsport fans at the Daytona International Speedway will be able to cheer on their favorite driver and enjoy the Papa John’s pizzas they know and love.”

In addition to its new location at DIS, Tully’s Coffee, a leading specialty coffee retailer and wholesaler, will become the official coffee of the “World Center of Racing.”

“DAYTONA Rising represents one of the finest sports and entertainment projects in the world,” said Michael J. Avenatti, Chairman of Global Baristas, parent company of Tully’s Coffee. “We are honored and thrilled to be a part of it and look forward to providing our premium coffees to hundreds of thousands of fans in the years to come.”
The new locations will debut in January 2016 during the Rolex 24 At Daytona Weekend.

 

 

FASSLER, ROCKENFELLER BOLSTER CORVETTE RACING U.S. ENDURANCE LINEUP

Championship-winning drivers join for defense of Rolex 24, Sebring GTLM victories

Marcel Fassler

DETROIT Nov. 17, 2015 – Already one of endurance sports car racing’s most prominent teams, Corvette Racing is adding even more championship-winning talent to its roster for the first two rounds of the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Marcel Fassler and Mike Rockenfeller will complete the team’s lineup for the Rolex 24 At Daytona and Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring in the pair of Chevrolet Corvette C7.R race cars.

Corvette Racing is the defending GT Le Mans (GTLM) winner of both premier events. Adding two drivers who have won major endurance races around the world – including a combined five victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans – augments the experienced Corvette Racing driver lineup as it prepares for the first two endurance races of 2016.

“As we’ve learned over the years, winning at Daytona and Sebring requires a Corvette race car that demonstrates the proper balance of performance, reliability and efficiency.  Winning also requires flawless execution by the team and

Mike Rockenfeller

drivers,” said Mark Kent, Director, Chevrolet Racing. “We feel very confident that adding Marcel and Rocky to our lineup in these two key races will maximize our chances of success. Their collective accomplishments speak for themselves, and they will add a tremendous amount to our endurance program at Corvette Racing.”

Fassler is readying for his second stint with Corvette Racing. The Swiss native was part of the team’s endurance lineup in 2009. He was part of the runner-up trio at Sebring and also contested Le Mans and Petit Le Mans in a Corvette C6.R. He has not raced at Daytona but Fassler won overall at Sebring in 2013.

Fassler is a past World Champion in the FIA World Endurance Championship and won Le Mans overall in 2011, 2012 and 2014. His exploits in a Corvette also include a win at the 24 Hours of Spa in 2007.

Rockenfeller is a past overall winner at the Rolex 24 and Le Mans – both in 2010. In each of the last three years, he has driven Corvette Daytona Prototypes at the Rolex 24 with a third-place finish with VisitFlorida.com Racing in 2015; he and VisitFlorida.com also were third at Sebring.

Rockenfeller has a pair of additional podium finishes at Daytona. He won the 2013 DTM championship and is a past GT2 winner in the American Le Mans Series and at Le Mans.

Corvette Racing continues its preparation for the 2016 season in an open IMSA test Nov. 17-18 at Daytona International Speedway. Corvette Racing’s first race of the season is the 54th Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 30-31.

MARCEL FÄSSLER, CHEVROLET CORVETTE C7.R – DAYTONA AND SEBRING: “It’s really great that I have the chance to drive again for Corvette Racing at Daytona and Sebring. It’s a fantastic opportunity to do those first two races in America. I already have raced three times for Corvette Racing in 2009 and have really good memories of working with the team. It’s always good to see them at Le Mans and other races where we cross paths. This is a great feeling. It’s the first time I’ve done the Rolex 24 At Daytona, so I’m a rookie but very highly motivated. I always have wanted to be a part of this race in a competitive car. Being with Corvette Racing gives me a chance to go for a class win. This is our main goal and the same for Sebring.”

MIKE ROCKENFELLER, CHEVROLET CORVETTE C7.R – DAYTONA AND SEBRING: “I’m very happy to join Corvette Racing for Daytona and Sebring. The team is one of the best in endurance racing and one I’ve always watched at major races. As a driver, you always want to be part of winning organizations. Corvette Racing is one of those. It will be great to get back in a GT car for two of the biggest events of the year – including the Rolex 24 which I won in 2010. I’m hoping I can help Corvette Racing win there again in 2016. I’m excited to get started and get my first laps in the Corvette C7.R.”

 

 

JANI-KING NAMED OFFICIAL CLEANING COMPANY OF DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY AND THE DAYTONA 500

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. Nov. 14, 2015 –  Daytona International Speedway (DIS) today announced a multi-year partnership with Jani-King, the world’s largest commercial cleaning franchise company. As part of the partnership, Jani-King will serve as the Official Cleaning Company of Daytona International Speedway and the DAYTONA 500.

Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III

The partnership enables Jani-King to be associated with the historic 2016 DAYTONA 500, the first to be held at the Speedway’s new motorsports stadium (as part of the DAYTONA Rising project). Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Through the partnership, Jani-King will receive brand exposure via sponsor signage at the “World Center of Racing” and the ability to use the DIS and event marks for promotional purposes. In addition, Jani-King will receive corporate hospitality opportunities for entertaining guests during Speedweeks.

“We are excited about developing this new partnership with Jani-King,” said Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III. “The DAYTONA 500 in 2016 will be a historic event and Jani-King’s services will be critical as we welcome guests to experience the new motorsports stadium for the first time.”

“Daytona International Speedway is an icon of the sports world and with the $400 million DAYTONA Rising redevelopment project, Jani-King is excited to have been selected as the Official Cleaning Company,” said Jerry Crawford, CEO & President of Jani-King International. “We are proud of our reputation for providing the best cleaning program at many of the world’s finest stadiums, and we are ready for the opportunity to partner with Daytona International Speedway to unveil their new facility and continue to keep it pristine throughout the year.”

Tickets for the 58th annual DAYTONA 500 are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 1-800-PITSHOP or visiting www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com

Fans can stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest for the latest news all season long.  Fans can follow the latest on DAYTONA Rising, the $400 million frontstretch renovation at the “World Center of Racing” by using #DAYTONARising on Twitter or visiting www.daytonarising.com.

 

 

 

 

IDENTIFICATION SIGN INSTALLATION BEGINS @ DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Nov. 09, 2015 – On Sunday, installation on the new massive identification sign as part of the ongoing DAYTONA Rising project began. The “supersign” will be located near the new center injector/entrance, welcoming race fans and guests to the “World Center of Racing.”

(Photos credit: Daytona International Speedway)

The “DAYTONA” text measures 13 feet 6 inches tall and the “INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY” text is more than 12 feet tall, while the entire length of the sign measures 355 feet.

The letter “D” was the first of the LED-lit letters installed.

Jones Sign Company, a national specialist in the sign manufacturer and installation industry, built and transported the letters. During the last week, the letters traveled nearly 1,500 miles across six states (via two semi-trucks) before arriving at DIS.

The completion of the sign installation is scheduled for December 2015.

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. Construction of DAYTONA Rising was recently cited as a primary source of expected growth in the Deltona, Fla., MSA as part of ManpowerGroup’s Employment Outlook Survey.

Toyota and Florida Hospital are Founding Partners of DAYTONA Rising, joining the Speedway to help provide the very best experience for fans through more than 40,000 total square feet of engagement areas, branding rights for two of the injectors/entrances and two of the new neighborhoods.

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.

 

 

DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY TO HOST 2016 FERRARI WORLD FINALS

World Center of Racing’ to Serve as the Host for the First Ferrari World Finals to be Held in North America

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Nov. 07, 2015 – Daytona International Speedway has added a prestigious new event to its 2016 calendar – the Ferrari World Finals on Dec. 1-4 – which is being held in North America for the first time in history.

The Ferrari World Finals will bring together all competitors from the European, North American and Asia Pacific series of the Ferrari Challenge for a battle for the World Championship in their Ferrari 458 Challenge EVOs on Daytona’s 3.56-mile road course.

Other highlights of the weekend are the display and running of historic Formula 1 cars, Ferrari’s exclusive XX Program and, to cap the weekend, Scuderia Ferrari’s Formula 1 show.  The show traditionally features the current Formula 1 drivers (in 2015 Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel) in demonstrations of pit stops, thrilling accelerations and fast laps.

The four-day event will also include an open test day on Nov. 30. The Ferrari World Finals have been traditionally held in Italy as well as Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

“We are grateful and honored to serve as the host facility for the 2016 Ferrari World Finals,” Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III said. “Ferrari brings to the ‘World Center of Racing’ both powerful racing machines and an incredible brand. We’re looking forward to the excitement that will be showcased on the twists and turns of Daytona’s legendary road course.”

“We are delighted and proud to announce that the 2016 Finali Mondiali (World Finals) will be held at the Daytona International Speedway,” Antonello Coletta, head of Attivita’ Sporting GT and Corse Clienti at Ferrari. “A relationship of close cooperation has been established between Ferrari and this historic racetrack over many years, so much so that the North America Series of the Ferrari Challenge counts the Daytona race, organized to coincide with the legendary 24 Hours, among its most important events. The World Finals, to be held in December at the Daytona International Speedway is a further development of this already established relationship.”

Ferrari has a storied history at Daytona International Speedway in the Rolex 24. The manufacturer owns five overall Rolex 24 At Daytona victories including a 1-2-3 finish in the 1967 event.

Tickets and more information on the Ferrari World Finals will be released in the coming months.

Fans can stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube for the latest news throughout the season. Fans also can follow the latest on DAYTONA Rising, the $400 million frontstretch renovation at the “World Center of Racing” by using #DAYTONARising on Twitter or visiting www.daytonarising.com.

 

 

POWERSHARES QQQ TO SPONSOR THE NASCAR XFINITY SERIES SEASON OPENER AT DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY

120-Lap, 300-Mile Event to be Named the PowerShares QQQ 300

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – October 28, 2015 – PowerShares QQQ, has entered into a multi-year partnership to serve as the title sponsor for the NASCAR XFINITY Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway (DIS), part of Speedweeks 2016. The 120-lap, 300-mile race will be known as the PowerShares QQQ 300, taking place February 20, 2016.  PowerShares QQQ™ is an exchange-traded fund based on the Nasdaq-100 Index®

“We’re excited about forming this new relationship with PowerShares QQQ,” Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III said. “Daytona International Speedway and DAYTONA Rising, our $400 million redevelopment project, are great platforms for new partners to showcase their brands to our passionate NASCAR race fans at the ‘World Center of Racing.’ ”

“Invesco PowerShares QQQ ETF was created on the core principles of powerful performance, deep technology experience and building a sustainable track record,” said Dan Draper, Global Head of Invesco PowerShares. “As technology evolves and the ETF business becomes faster while needing to maintain precision, we see great synergies between our goals of continuing to deliver on that track record in the same sense that NASCAR aims to execute through its races.”

The events during Speedweeks 2016 will be the first to be held at DIS following the completion of the $400 million DAYTONA Rising redevelopment project. Race fans will experience new amenities such as wider and more comfortable seats, spacious concourses, escalators and elevators, twice as many restrooms and three times as many concessions and merchandise stands and two new larger video display boards.

Tickets for the PowerShares QQQ 300 as well as other Speedweeks 2016 events are available at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP. Fans can stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and YouTube for the latest news throughout the season. Fans also can follow the latest on DAYTONA Rising, the $400 million frontstretch renovation at the “World Center of Racing” by using #DAYTONARising on Twitter or visiting www.daytonarising.com.

 

 

DALE EARNHARDT JR. – THE TALLADEGA TORNADO

No one whips a car around Talladega faster than Dale Earnhardt Jr.

October 23, 2015 – That’s good news, considering the precarious position in which he now finds himself. He heads to the 2.66-mile behemoth in a win-or-go-home conundrum as he sits 11th on the Chase Grid – a near-impossible-to-erase 31 points below the cutoff line.

Earnhardt ranks tied with Jeff Gordon for the active wins lead at the Alabama track with six checkered flags, and has won two of the three previous restrictor-plate races this season, including the May competition at Talladega. A visit to Victory Lane on Sunday would make him the first driver to win three restrictor-plate races since his father Dale Earnhardt accomplished the feat in 1990.

At Talladega, the No. 88 Chevrolet driver owns the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series’ best driver rating (92.8) and second-best average running position (13.956).

“I wouldn’t rather be going anywhere else than Talladega for the next race if we need a win, Earnhardt said. “That is a good opportunity for us. Even over Daytona, I think we can go to Talladega and do the job. There is a little more room there to be aggressive and make the moves you need to make. I got the car. That car won the 125 (Budweiser Duel), ran third in the (Daytona) 500 and won Talladega and won Daytona. That is a good enough car. I wouldn’t want to be going anywhere else if it’s a win and you are in kind of deal.”

 

 

COUNTRY 500: “THE GREAT AMERICAN MUSIC FEST AT DAYTONA

• Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Kid Rock, Lady Antebellum, Willie Nelson and 40 More Stars
• To Rock Daytona International Speedway Memorial Day Weekend, May 27-29, 2016
• Tickets on Sale and Complete Music Lineup to Be Released November 3
• Sign up to be on the mailing list and get all the festival info as soon as it becomes available at: Country500.com; Country 500 on Facebook; @Country500 on Twitter

Daytona Beach, Fla. – October 15, 2015 – Daytona International Speedway, the “World Center of Racing,” will host the inaugural Country 500 music festival featuring Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Kid Rock, TBA, Lady Antebellum, Willie Nelson and dozens more over Memorial Day Weekend—May 27, 28 & 29, 2016.  The complete Country 500 lineup, including the Friday night headliner, will be released on November 3 and tickets, camping and VIP packages will go on sale to the public the same day.  Fans should plan to take advantage of the special early bird pricing ($199) for weekend general admission passes beginning on November 3.

Also called “The Great American Music Fest at Daytona,” the Country 500 festival will feature the biggest stars in country music spread over three days and nights, programmed on three huge performance stages—all specially designed and built for the festival.  Country 500 will take place on the infield of the world-famous Daytona International Speedway, a historic first mega-music festival inside the hallowed grounds of one of the most iconic motorsports venues in America.

Just as it is for the great races at the Speedway, Country 500 will allow fans to actually camp out in the infield, literally inside the festival.  A full-range of camping opportunities is available for virtually any budget, from pitching a tent to deluxe RV locations.

Special VIP packages called “Crew Chief VIP Experience” and “VIP Pit Pass” (see attached) allow for an exclusive upfront, golden-circle viewing area at the main stage with side stage access at the other performances areas plus access to comfortable hospitality areas, private cash bars and many other comforts and amenities. Visit Country500.com or call 1-844-500-FEST for VIP benefits, camping information and all the Country 500 details.

Fans at the festival will also have the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of their favorite country stars at artist meet-and-greets located throughout pit road and the garages. Numerous other features—a select festival menu sold from food booths and food trucks; carnival rides; arcade games; cooling water elements; country-and-western merchandise; fireworks; and more—will all be a part of the festival, as Country 500 transforms racing’s greatest venue into a festival-goer’s dream.

Visit Country500.com or call 1-844-500-FEST for tickets, camping, parking, and other festival information.  Make sure to sign up on the Country 500 mailing list and get all the festival info including travel packages and hotel accommodations as soon as it becomes available.

“Luke Bryan closing out the Festival Sunday night; Kid Rock, Willie Nelson, and a homecoming celebration with Florida Georgia Line all on Saturday night; another superstar still to be announced to close Friday night; plus 40 more stars will be featured on the three stages over three days,” said Festival Producer Quint Davis. “The Country 500, like its older brother on the race track, will positively rock the one and only Daytona International Speedway. Be the first to get your favorite camping spot on the infield inside the Festival.  Look for the full lineup and tickets on sale November 3.”

“We’re proud to develop this new partnership with AEG Live and Festival Productions, Inc. – New Orleans and bring the Country 500 music festival to Daytona International Speedway,” Track President Joie Chitwood III said. “Signature events such as the DAYTONA 500 and the Rolex 24 At Daytona have made DIS the ‘World Center of Racing’ but by securing this marquee music festival with an amazing lineup of artists, we will also be known as the ‘World Center of Entertainment.”

Stay connected with Country 500 on Facebook, Country500.com on the web and #Country500 on Twitter.

AEG Live and Festival Productions, Inc. – New Orleans are partnering with Daytona International Speedway to produce the Country 500.

Country 500 Weekend Festival Passes

3-DAY GENERAL ADMISSION WEEKEND PASS – ($199 early bird all-in pricing)

3-day general admission; passes are non-transferable

Includes access to over 40 bands on three festival stages, a select menu of food and beverage offerings sold from food booths and food trucks, carnival rides, arcade games, country and western merchandise, official festival merchandise, a myriad of shade and water elements and much more

VIP PIT PASS – ($599 all-in pricing)

3-day admission; passes are non-transferable

Access to the Pit, an exclusive upfront, golden circle viewing area at the Country 500 Stage and VIP viewing at the Daytona Stage and Bluebird Theater

Access to the VIP Pit Stop, a private hospitality tent where guests can cool of in the shade with access to exclusive beverage for purchase, private merchandise stand, cell phone charging stations and more.

Private air-conditioned flushable restrooms

• Exclusive festival merchandise item
• Express VIP entrance with re-entry all weekend
• Exclusive opportunity to purchase a VIP parking space
• On-site experience concierge

CREW CHIEF VIP EXPERIENCE – ($999 all-in pricing)

3-day admission; passes are non-transferable

Access to the Pit, an exclusive upfront, golden circle viewing area at the Country 500 Stage and VIP viewing at the Daytona Stage and Bluebird Theater

Exclusive access to the Crew Chief Super VIP Deck at the Country 500 Stage featuring a covered viewing platform with premium views of the main stage, private cash bar and air-conditioned restrooms

Exclusive access to the Country 500 VIP Club, a private indoor air-conditioned hospitality lounge featuring cash bar, comfortable furnishings, private merchandise stand, complimentary light snacks and refreshments, massages, Wi-Fi, charging stations and more

• Crew Chief VIP-only exclusive festival merchandise item
• Express VIP entrance with re-entry all weekend
• Exclusive opportunity to purchase a VIP parking space
• On-site experience concierge
• Plus a few surprises!

 

 

 

 

75th RUNNING OF THE DAYTONA 200 SCHEDULE FOR MARCH 12, 2016

American SportBike Racing Association to Sanction America’s Most Historic Motorcycle Race for Second Straight Year

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Aug. 6, 2015 – America’s most historic motorcycle race, the DAYTONA 200, will celebrate a significant milestone in 2016 with its 75th running on Saturday, March 12, 2016, Daytona International Speedway track officials announced. Tickets for the race went on sale today.

The 57-lap, 200-mile race on the 3.51-mile road course will showcase 600cc sportbikes sanctioned by the American SportBike Racing Association (ASRA) for the second straight year.

“We are thrilled to continue to work with American SportBike Racing Association as the sanctioning body for the Daytona 200,” Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood said. “It’s an important anniversary for the Daytona 200 in 2016 and we look forward to celebrating this event’s rich history with an exciting event featuring riders battling for a competitive purse and a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona.”

In 2015, Oklahoma native Danny Eslick became a two-time Daytona 200 champion by pulling off a last-lap pass of Josh Herrin to secure a .086-second margin of victory.

In addition to the Daytona 200, ASRA and the Championship Cup Series (CCS) will have a full complement of road races Thursday, March 10 through Sunday, March 12. Daytona 200 qualifying will take place on Friday, March 11 with the race going green the following day at 1 p.m.

“The 75th running of the Daytona 200 will be a milestone event for motorcycle road racing in America and we are ecstatic to serve as the sanctioning body for the event,” said Kevin Elliott, President of ARSA. “The sheer magnitude of what the Daytona 200 means to our sport cannot be understated. With its history, this unique event has continually turned good racers into stars and then stars into superstars as they fought to win this prestigious race.”

Similar to its four-wheeled brethren, the Daytona 200’s roots go back to the sands of Daytona Beach where they began racing on a 4.2-mile shoreline course in 1937 before moving the event to Daytona International Speedway in 1961 and incorporating the high banks of the “World Center of Racing.”

In addition to the full road racing calendar and the Daytona 200, Daytona International Speedway will continue to be the driving force behind Bike Week hosting a wide range of activities.

On Saturday night, March 5, Daytona International Speedway will host the only Monster Energy AMA Supercross event in Florida – the prestigious Daytona Supercross By Honda.

Daytona International Speedway will also feature the AMA Pro Flat Track doubleheader on March 10-11 on the Daytona Flat Track, which is located outside Turns 1 and 2.

Tickets for all motorcycle racing events are available by calling 1-800-PITSHOP or online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com

Fans can stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest for the latest news all season long.  Fans can follow the latest on DAYTONA Rising, the $400 million frontstretch renovation at the “World Center of Racing” by using #DAYTONARising on Twitter or visiting www.daytonarising.com.

 

 

J.J. YELEY BROUGHT HIS No. 28 TOYOTA HOME TO AN 18TH PLACE FINISH IN IOWA

J.J. Yeley

NEWTON, IOWA August 03, 2015 – In what proved to be a challenging day, NASCAR veteran J.J. Yeley and his JGL Racing team overcame many obstacles to capture yet another NASCAR XFINITY Series top-20 finish on Saturday night in Iowa.  At the end of a dramatic 250-lap event, Yeley brought his No. 28 Toyota home to an 18th-place finish in the running of the US Cellular 250 at Iowa Speedway.

“That was definitely a hard fought finish tonight and a total team effort by everyone on this JGL Racing team,” said Yeley.  “TJ Bell stepped in and did a great job in practicing the car for me on Friday while I was in Pocono.  I got to the track on Saturday and we didn’t quite have the qualifying effort we wanted.  We battled the first half of the race but Steven Lane (crew chief) made some great adjustments and our car was at its best at the end of the race.”

After missing the two practice sessions on Friday while in Pocono for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice and qualifying, Yeley arrived at Iowa Speedway in time for qualifying for the Saturday night event.  While advancing to the second round, J.J. and his JGL Racing settled for the 20th starting spot for the 250-lap event.  The early part of the race would see Yeley battle with the handling condition on his No. 28 Toyota.  A few long green flag runs at the beginning of the race gave the JGL Racing few opportunities to tune on their car and eventually falling two laps down to the leaders.

In typical fashion for this JGL Racing team and Yeley, collectively they would battle and regain their two laps to get back on the lead lap with just 20 laps remaining in the short track battle.  With multiple cautions late in the race allowing for some key adjustments to the No. 28 Toyota, Yeley would charge inside the top-15 in the closing laps.  With the race going into overtime with a Green/White/Checker finish, Yeley made his charge towards a top-10 finish before being pushed into the outside wall off turn two on the last lap.   The end result was a damaged No. 28 Toyota coming to the checkered flag in the 18th position.

“With our car best there at the end of the race we were in position to really capitalize on what was a challenging night,” added Yeley.  “Unfortunately a couple of cars got together there on the last lap and it pushed us into the outside wall and we lost at least five spots.  But in all, this JGL Racing team battled hard all night and we overcome being down two laps to post a solid finish.”

With the 18th-place finish Yeley remained in the 13th position in the overall NASCAR XFINITY Series drivers’ standings – a mere 14 points out of the 12th spot.

Yeley and his JGL Racing team will set their sights next on Watkins Glen International.  The running of the Zippo 200 will be Saturday August 8th and can be seen LIVE on NBC Sports Network at 3:00 pm ET.  It can also be heard on Motor Racing Network (MRN) and Sirius Channel 90.