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.

 

 

DREW CAREY TO HOST NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES AWARDS

Featuring Performances by Andy Grammer, Sam Hunt, Rachel Platten, and Sabrina Carpenter

2015 Awards Honors the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion, Celebrates the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup™ Challengers

Drew Carey

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. Nov. 25, 2015 – The celebration will continue after the trophy is lifted at Homestead-Miami Speedway as NASCAR® presents the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards™ hosted by actor and comedian Drew Carey. Live from Wynn Las Vegas on Friday, Dec. 4, fans can tune-in to watch as the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion™ is honored with red carpet coverage beginning at 8 p.m. ET on NBCSN, Motor Racing Network (MRN) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, followed by the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards™ broadcast on NBCSN at 9 p.m. ET.

This year’s show will also feature a lineup of performances from award-winning musical artists Andy Grammer, Sam Hunt, Rachel Platten, and Sabrina Carpenter.

As the current host of The Price is Right and former host of Who’s Line is it Anyway?, Drew Carey will bring a seasoned air of entertainment and comedy to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards stage. Best known for his self-portrayal on The Drew Carey Show, which garnered seven Emmy nominations, Carey has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including three People’s Choice Awards, an Editor’s Choice TV Guide Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

“This has been a tremendous year for NASCAR, and I’m honored to host this headlining event as fans all across the country tune-in to pay homage to the accomplishments of the 2015 champion,” said Carey. “I look forward to rounding out the 2015 NASCAR® racing season with a night of epic proportions alongside some of the greatest names in sports and entertainment.”

Triple-platinum selling recording artist Andy Grammer will perform at the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards. The pop singer best known for hits such as “Keep Your Head Up” and “Back Home” took America by storm in 2015 with his smash single, “Honey, I’m Good” turning it into one of the year’s catchiest songs. A deluxe edition of his sophomore album, Magazines Or Novels was released on Nov. 20 featuring Andy’s brand new single, “Good To Be Alive (Hallelujah.)”

The evening’s musical lineup will also feature country star Sam Hunt, who took home the honor of New Artist of the Year at Sunday night’s American Music Awards. His critically-acclaimed debut album Montevallo has so far produced three consecutive No. 1 platinum-selling singles with “Leave the Night On,” “House Party” and the double-platinum “Take Your Time,” plus his current platinum-selling Top 15, “Break Up In A Small Town.”

Rachel Platten, one of this year’s breakout artists with her double platinum No. 1 hit single, “Fight Song”, will also grace the awards stage. Her current chart-climbing single, “Stand By You” will be released on her highly-anticipated forthcoming album, Wildfire.

Rounding out the night’s performances will be multi-talented singer / songwriter Sabina Carpenter, who currently stars on the Disney Channel original series Girl Meets World. Carpenter released her debut album, Eyes Wide Open earlier this year, which features “We’ll be the Stars” and its namesake single, “Eyes Wide Open.”

“The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards marks the pinnacle of our season as we have the opportunity to commend the drivers and teams for all of their hard work and dedication throughout the year,” said Zane Stoddard, NASCAR vice president of entertainment marketing and content development. “With Drew Carey at the wheel and a lineup of performances from some of the most celebrated entertainers in the music industry, it will certainly be a finale to remember for everyone joining us in Las Vegas and the NASCAR fans watching at home.”

This year’s artists will join a star-studded group of actors and musicians who have previously performed at NASCAR’s championship celebration, including Lady Antebellum, Sara Bareilles, Dierks Bentley, and Kid Rock. Part of the annual NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week™ in Las Vegas, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards is the headlining experience in a series of events that also includes the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Fanfest, NASCAR After The Lap™ and NASCAR Victory Lap™, where fans get a front row seat as the 16 Challengers™ roar down Las Vegas Boulevard. Visit www.NASCAR.com/ChampionsWeek to view the full NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week schedule.

 

 

KEVIN HARVICK ENDS SEASON STRONG FOR CHEVROLET; JEFF GORDON FINISHED IN SIXTH PLACE

Chevy SS Drivers Finish 2-3-4 in Year-End Point Standings

HOMESTEAD, Fla. November 23, 2015 – Piloting the No. 4 Budweiser/Jimmy John’s Chevrolet SS, Kevin Harvick led the way for Team Chevy in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) season-finale at Homestead-Miami

Defending Sprint Cup Champion Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Budweiser/Jimmy JohnÕs Chevrolet SS, races to a second place finish, Jeff Gordon, driver of the #24 Axalta Chevrolet SS finishes in sixth place, and Martin Truex, Jr., driver of the #78 Furniture Row/Visser Precision finishes in twelfth place Sunday, November 22, 2015 in the final race of the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Florida. This Chevrolet drivers finished 2nd, 3rd and 4th (respectively) in the Chase of the Cup Championship. (Photo by Harold Hinson/HHP for Chevy Racing)

Speedway.  Harvick ended the last race of the year with a runner-up finish, and was second in the year-end NSCS point standings.  In 2015, Harvick captured three wins, 23 top-five’s, and 27 top-10 finishes.

With less than 10 laps remaining, Harvick was able to move from fourth to second on the final restart, but ended up just a little more than 1.5-seconds shy of winning a second consecutive title.

“We were just struggling all night with our Budweiser/Jimmy John’s Chevy,” said Harvick, following the race. “We had a lot of trouble getting up off the corner and putting the power down. And the longer the run went, the looser that we would get up off the corner. We just want to thank everybody: Hendrick Engines, SHR, Outback, Mobil 1, Hunt Brothers, Chevrolet and everybody who is a part of this car and who has been supportive of us over the last two years. It’s been a great couple of years and I’m looking forward to next year. So, it’s fun to be able to run like this. You always want to win, but I’ve learned not to get greedy. After last year, I felt like we had everything go our way; and tonight, it didn’t go our way.”

Four-time series champion, Jeff Gordon, No. 24 Axalta Chevrolet SS, finished in sixth-place in the race, and third in the 2015 standings. Martin Truex Jr., No. 78 Furniture Row Chevrolet SS, was 12th in the race and took a career-best fourth place finish in the championship order.

Our own Photo-Journalist Haydee Quiñones working at the Jeff Gordon pits.

“To drive for one of the best car owners, if not the best; and to drive the best race cars and work with the best people, is why I have the wins and championships that I have,” said Gordon, following his final race as a full-time driver in a 23-year, 797-race career. “And that’s why we did what we did here today in the final race, in battling for a championship.”

Kyle Larson earned a fifth-place finish in the season-ending race in his No. 42 Target Plaid Chevrolet SS, which marked his second top-five finish of the season.

Kurt Busch drove his No. 41 Haas Automation Chevrolet SS to an eighth-place finish at Homestead; and six-time NSCS champion, Jimmie Johnson, was ninth to round out the top-10 finishers for Chevrolet in the season-finale.

In the race, Brad Keselowski (Ford) finished third and Joey Logano (Ford) was fourth.

In the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, the Final 4 finished as follows:

1st = Kyle Busch (Toyota)

2nd = Kevin Harvick (Chevrolet)

3rd = Jeff Gordon (Chevrolet)

4th = Martin Truex, Jr., (Chevrolet)

The 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season gets underway with the Daytona 500 on February 21.

 

 

CHEVROLET CLINCHES 17TH BILL FRANCE PERFORMANCE CUP

Award Recognizes Manufacturer Championship in NASCAR Xfinity Series

DETROIT November 22, 2015 – With Kyle Larson’s win in the Ford EcoBoost 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Chevrolet clinched the Bill France Performance Cup in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. The 2015 achievement marks the 17th time the Bowtie Brand has captured this prestigious honor.

It is also the second time Camaro has earned the award in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.  The Chevrolet Camaro made its series debut at Daytona International Speedway in February of 2013 and has since made 30 trips to Victory Lane.

“Chevrolet is honored to win the 2015 Bill France Performance Cup in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for the 17th time,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet U.S. Vice President of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. “Every point matters during the season, but Kyle Larson’s win combined with the second-place finish by Austin Dillon in No. 33 Camaro were absolutely critical in clinching the championship. This award is the result of dedication and determination by our team owners, drivers and crews.”

En route to securing the Bill France Performance Cup, Chevrolet drivers have won 11 races this season in the Xfinity Series. This season marked a milestone for Chevrolet in Xfinity Series competition when Chase Elliott, piloting the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro, earned the brand’s 400th series victory at Richmond International Raceway in September.

In addition to Elliott, the following Team Chevy drivers contributed to this special award with victories: Austin Dillon (4 wins), Kevin Harvick (2 wins), Regan Smith (2 Wins), Kyle Larson (1 win), Paul Menard (1 win); along with manufacturer points-paying finishes by Ty Dillon, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Brian Scott.

The 2016 Xfinity Series season kicks off with the season-opener at Daytona International Speedway on February 20.

 

 

CHEVROLET GRABS SIX OF THE TOP-12 STARTING SPOTS AT HOMESTEAD

Team Chevy Championship Contenders Qualify Fifth, 11th and 13th

HOMESTEAD, Fla. Nov. 21, 2015 – Ryan Newman might have been eliminated from Championship contention in the final NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) race of the year, but the 2014 championship runner-up led Team Chevy in qualifying with the fourth fastest time in his No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet SS at Homestead-Miami Speedway.  This was Newman’s third top-five qualifying effort of the year.

Four-time NSCS champion, Jeff Gordon, posted a fifth place qualifying effort in the No. 24 AXALTA Chevrolet SS for his final race as a full-time entrant.   Gordon is one of three Team Chevy competitors vying for the 2015 title.

Last week’s race winner and Gordon’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate, Dale Earnhardt Jr., posted the ninth fastest time in the No. 88 Nationwide Chevrolet SS.  Martin Truex Jr., another Chevrolet championship contender, will start from the 11th position in the No. 78 Furniture Row/Denver Mattress Chevrolet SS.

Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Dillon will pilot his No. 3 Dow Chevrolet SS from the 10th starting position.  This is Dillon’s sixth top-10 starting effort of the 2015 season.

Defending NSCS champion and contender for the 2015 title, Kevin Harvick, barely missed making the final round of qualifying in the No. 4 Budweiser Chevrolet SS.  Harvick will start his bid to defend his title from the 13th position.

Six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion, Jimmie Johnson, rounded out the Chevrolet power in the top-12 in qualifying.  Johnson will roll off the starting grid from the 12th position.

Denny Hamlin (Toyota) won the pole, Joey Logano (Ford) was second, and Kyle Busch (Toyota) was third to round out the top-five qualifiers.

The 267-lap/400.5 mile Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m., ET on Sunday November 22. Live coverage will be available on NBC, PRN, Sirius NASCAR Radio Channel 90 and NASCAR.com.

 

 

CHEVROLET CELEBRATES VETERAN BOWTIE BRAND DRIVER JEFF GORDON

DETROIT – November 20, 2015 – Jeff Gordon, who has driven the No. 24 Chevrolet for 796 consecutive races from 1992-2015, is about to close out his full-time career as a driver in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.  Gordon, a four-time series champion, enters the final race of the season with an opportunity to claim his fifth title.  Gordon ends his full-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway, having driven for only one car owner, Rick Hendrick at Hendrick Motorsports, and only one manufacturer, Chevrolet.  Among Gordon’s career highlights driving the No. 24 Chevrolet are:

• Four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion (1995, 1997, 1998, 2001)
• 93 career Cup victories; third on the all-time list
• 81 career Cup pole positions; third on the all-time list
• Three-time Daytona 500 winner (1997, 1999, 2005)
• Five-time Brickyard 400 winner (1994, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2014)
• Three-time champion of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race (1995, 1997, 2001)
• NASCAR record nine road course victories
• NASCAR record 12 restrictor plate victories

Jim Campbell, U.S. Vice President of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports:

“Jeff has been the unequivocal example of a Chevrolet race car driver.   Over 23 years, he earned 93 overall victories including three Daytona 500 wins, five Brickyard 400 wins and four NASCAR Sprint Cup Championships.  Jeff is a true champion, Chevrolet dealer and a key member of the Chevrolet family.”

“Jeff Gordon continues to be a great ambassador for NASCAR and Chevrolet.”

Pat Suhy, Group Manager – NASCAR Programs:

“I think first of all and it will be said many times he has been a great ambassador to the sport.  I think he attracted a new generation of fans and broadened the reach of NASCAR in terms of West Coast awareness and enthusiasm for it.

“On the competition side he has meant a lot to Chevrolet, he has been a great ambassador for the brand.  But on the racetrack he’s done so much for us with four championships and 93 race wins.  The points he collected for us have helped lead us to 18 manufacturer championships during his career.  The race wins and the championships mean a lot to us.  The manufactures championships mean a lot to us.

“He’s been an innovator.  Recently, he and Alan Gustafson (crew chief) have shown that you can teach an old dog new tricks.  They continue to try to use the latest technology and the tools that we offer.  We keep pushing the boundaries of technology and they keep joining us and helping us push it even further.  Which makes it good not only for them, but for all Chevy teams.  We certainly appreciate everything he has done for us over the years.”

Alba Colon, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Program Manager:

“To talk about what is GREAT about NASCAR is synonymous with talking about Jeff Gordon.  This generation has been honored to see Jeff Gordon race and to witnessing how great he is.  At the same time, we at Chevrolet have been privileged to count Jeff Gordon as an ambassador for our brand.  He represents what our brand is about, true American values, the real heartbeat of America.   He has always been passionate about our vehicles, about our brand.  All his 93 great wins have all been behind the wheel of a Chevrolet.  It can’t get better than that.

“Thanks to Jeff for all the great years of racing a Chevrolet.  I know our relationship is one that will last forever.  We salute you in your last career race and celebrate your new ventures”.

 

 

ROGER PENSKE’S No. 22 FORD TEAM ARE OWNER CHAMPIONS FOR THE THIRD STRAIGHT SEASON / XFINITY

Nov. 20, 2015 – Roger Penske joined a select group of champions when his No. 22 Ford team clinched the 2015 NASCAR XFINITY Series owners championship in Texas, becoming just the fourth car owner in NASCAR XFINITY Series history to win three or more car owner championships. He joins Richard Childress (four), Joe Gibbs (four) and William Baumgardner (three) as owners who have achieved the feat.

Penske is the second NXS car owner in series history to win three consecutive car owner championships (2013 – 2015) joining William Baumgardner (1995 – 1997). The difference between the two owners is Baumgardner won his three titles with a single driver each season; while Penske has won each title with multiple drivers behind the wheel. This season’s No. 22 lineup included Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney and Alex Tagliani.

A total of nine owners have won multiple car owner championships in the NASCAR XFINITY Series. This is Roger Penske’s fourth championship in the last six seasons in the NASCAR XFINITY Series – he has won the last three car owner titles and also the 2010 driver championship with Brad Keselowski.

This weekend, Ryan Blaney will strap into the No. 22 Ford and attempt to cap off this championship season with another win. The High Point, N.C. native has made 12 starts this season posting two wins (Iowa and Kentucky), eight top fives, nine top 10s and an average finish of 10.0. Blaney has made two career NXS starts at Homestead, posting one top five, two top 10s and an average finish of 6.0.

The Team Penske No. 22 Ford team has posted an average finish of 5.9 in 2015 – the best among full-time teams.

 

 

CRAFTON TO BECOME TRUCK SERIES ALL-TIME STARTS LEADER / NCWTS

Nov. 19, 2015 – Already etching his name among the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series greats like Ron Hornaday Jr., Jack Sprague, Todd Bodine and Mike Skinner with his two championships, Matt Crafton will become the high-octane circuit’s all-time starts leader (361) when he presses down the gas pedal for Friday’s Ford EcoBoost 200.

Crafton – a veteran of 15 full-time NCWTS seasons – tied Hornaday’s total of 360 starts last week at Phoenix where he wrecked going for the win and subsequently finished 23rd, crushing his hopes of a third consecutive championship.

In addition to his two career NCWTS titles, Crafton owns 10 wins, 88 top fives (fifth all-time) and 209 top-10 finishes (second all-time). His 65,743.3 miles driven are enough to travel across the continental United States more than 24 times.

The No. 88 ThorSport Racing driver has set career highs with five wins and three Keystone Light Pole Awards this season.

Crafton made his first NCWTS start at Auto Club Speedway on Oct. 28, 2000 and finished ninth.

 

 

LAST CHANCE: WINLESS DRIVERS LOOKING TO STEAL ONE AT SEASON’S END / XFINITY

Nov. 19, 2015 – With just one race left on the 2015 schedule time is of the essence for some of the NASCAR XFINITY Series’ top drivers to steal a win this weekend in the Ford EcoBoost 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Three drivers entered this weekend won last season but have gone all of 2015 without visiting Victory Lane – Ty Dillon, Elliott Sadler and Kyle Larson.

Richard Childress Racing’s Dillon is currently third in points after posting 12 top fives and 24 top 10s this season. Dillon’s best finish in his first 32 starts was a second place at Kentucky. Dillon has made two starts at Miami posting one top 10 and an average finish of 10.5.

Elliott Sadler’s season has been mediocre compared to how he has run in the recent past. In 32 starts, he has posted four top fives and 17 top 10s. Sadler has made nine starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway, posting four top 10s and an average finish of 16.7.

Kyle Larson is the only NASCAR Sprint Cup full-time driver entered this weekend that hasn’t won this season. Larson has made 13 series starts for HScott Motorsports with Chip Ganassi this season posting three top fives, eight top 10s and an average finish of 13.8. Larson had two wins last season, but is still looking for his first of 2015.

Homestead-Miami just might be the place Larson finds the checkered flag. Larson leads the series with a 136.3 driver rating at HMS. In two starts at Homestead, Larson has finished second (2013) and third (2014), posting an average finish of 2.5.

 

 

JONES ATTEMPTS TO HOLD OFF REDDICK FOR CHAMPIONSHIP AT HOMESTEAD / NCWTS

Nov. 19, 2015 – With one race left in the 2015 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season, Erik Jones leads second-place Tyler Reddick by 19 points in the championship standings.

Regardless of Reddick’s performance, all Jones must do to take home the title is finish 15th or better; 16th with at least one lap led; or 17th and the most laps led in Friday night’s Ford EcoBoost 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway (8 p.m. ET on FS1).

A record will be broken no matter what as Jones (19 years, 5 months, 21 days) or Reddick (19 years, 10 months, 9 days) will become the youngest champion in NCWTS history. The title was previously held by Austin Dillon (2011: 21 years, 6 months, 22 days).

Jones has finished lower than 15th just once this season (23rd at Gateway). In fact, he currently boasts a streak of 14 consecutive top-10 showings. The No. 4 Kyle Busch Motorsports driver has never raced at Homestead.

Reddick enters Friday’s race riding a streak of four consecutive fifth-place finishes. He has put himself in title contention by posting two wins, 13 top fives and 18 top 10s in 22 starts this season. Reddick raced in last season’s Homestead finale, finishing sixth.