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.

 

 

START TIMES FINALIZED FOR BUDWEISER SPEEDWEEKS 2015 EVENTS

57th annual DAYTONA 500 set for a 1 p.m. ET start

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – January 14, 2015 – The 57th annual DAYTONA 500 on Sunday, Feb. 22, NASCAR’s biggest, richest and most prestigious race, will start at 1 p.m. (TV – FOX, FOX Deportes; Radio – MRN Radio, SiriusXM). It’s the sixth straight year “The Great American Race” will have a start time of 1 p.m.

Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

Start times for the other remaining events of Budweiser Speedweeks 2015 at Daytona International Speedway are as follows:

• The 53rd anniversary Rolex 24 At Daytona IMSA TUDOR United SportsCar Championship race, Jan. 24-25, 2:10 p.m. (FOX Sports and IMSA.com)
• The Lucas Oil 200 Presented By American Real MAV TV ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, Saturday, Feb. 14, 4:15 p.m. (FOX Sports 1)
• The Sprint Unlimited, Saturday, Feb. 14, 8:15 p.m. (FOX)
• Daytona 500 Qualifying Presented By Kroger, Sunday, Feb. 15, 1:30 p.m. (FOX)
• Budweiser Duel At Daytona, Thursday, Feb. 19, 7 p.m. (FOX Sports 1)
• NextEra Energy Resources 250 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race, Friday, Feb. 20, 7:30 p.m. (FOX Sports 1)
• Alert Today Florida 300 NASCAR XFINITY Series race, Saturday, Feb. 21, 3:30 p.m. (FOX Sports 1)

In this year’s DAYTONA 500, Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be seeking his second consecutive DAYTONA 500 victory. The last driver to win back-to-back DAYTONA 500s was Sterling Marlin back in 1994-95.

Budweiser Speedweeks 2015 will also provide fans with a sneak peek of DAYTONA Rising, the $400 million frontstretch redevelopment. Approximately 40,000 new seats will be available on the west side of the stadium, from Turn 1 toward the center of the track. Fans in these wider more comfortable seats will enjoy many of the new amenities being created by DAYTONA Rising.

Tickets for the 57th annual DAYTONA 500 and all Budweiser Speedweeks 2015 events are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 1-800-PITSHOP or visiting www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com

Fans can follow NASCAR on Twitter and stay up to speed on the latest news by using hashtag #DAYTONA500 and #SPEEDWEEKS. Fans can also stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook 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.

 

CORVETTE RACING ADDS BRISCOE AND PAGENAUD TO DRIVER LINEUP

Briscoe

Open-wheel standouts to drive Corvette C7.Rs at Daytona, Sebring

• Aussie Briscoe continues with Corvette Racing
• Frenchman Pagenaud to get first opportunity to drive Corvette C7.R
• Duo to join full-season roster of drivers at Roar Before the 24

DETROIT Jan. 13, 2015 – Corvette Racing will head into the opening round of the IMSA TUDOR United SportsCar Championship with an impressive GTLM driver lineup for North America’s premier endurance race. Ryan Briscoe returns to the Corvette Racing camp for the second straight year while Simon Pagenaud will make his debut with the team at Daytona International Speedway.

Briscoe will share driving duties of the No. 3 Corvette C7.R with Jan Magnussen and Antonio Garcia, and Pagenaud will join Oliver Gavin and Tommy Milner in the No. 4 C7.R at the annual Roar Before the 24 starting Jan. 9th. The Roar serves as a three-day test ahead of the 53rd Rolex 24 At Daytona and the start of the TUDOR Championship. In addition, Briscoe and Pagenaud will join the Corvette C7.R team at Sebring.

Pagenaud

“Corvette Racing’s driver lineup for the Daytona and Sebring races represents a highly talented collection of drivers who are intensely focused on working together toward the common goal of winning,” said Mark Kent, Director, Chevrolet Racing. “Both Ryan and Simon are world-class drivers who know the kind of preparation, patience and skill needed to succeed in the top levels of endurance sports-car racing.”

Both Briscoe and Pagenaud are known for their successes in both open-wheel and sports car racing. Briscoe appeared in three events for Corvette Racing in 2014 – Daytona, Sebring and Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta. The Aussie also made 18 stars in the Verizon INDYCAR Series with one top-five finish and 10 top-10s. He has seven IndyCar victories to his credit to go along with nine prototype wins in the American Le Mans Series.

Pagenaud also boasts a number of victories in both open-wheel and prototype competition. While competing in the IndyCar series, he won two races in 2013 and 2014, and finished third in the 2013 IndyCar championship.

Pagenaud signed with Team Penske and will drive a Chevrolet V6-powered IndyCar for the 2015 season.  Previously, he spent four seasons in ALMS prototypes with nine victories as a factory driver.

The 2015 TUDOR United Sports Car Championship begins with the 53rd Rolex 24 at Daytona from Jan. 24-25 at Daytona International Speedway. Live timing and scoring from both the Roar Before the 24 and Rolex 24 at Daytona will be available at imsa.com.

RYAN BRISCOE, NO. 3 CORVETTE RACING CORVETTE C7.R

“It’s such a massive honor to be a part of the Corvette Racing program. To come back this year and be a part of the team for the endurance events, I’m really excited. We’re hoping the pace and everything is there that we need to have to win with one of the Corvettes. We really were strong last year and had a little bad luck. Everyone on the team is extremely hungry and I’m really looking forward to it.”

“It was definitely a new experience for me last year to be racing in the GT class. I thought it went really well. The team brought me on and gave me all the tools I needed to get up to speed and feel comfortable with the racecar. I feel like it’s a comfortable pairing with Antonio and Jan. I really felt like I got really good track time and could put down really good lap times to hold my own. Before you get into it, you really don’t know how it’s going to go. You just want to do your best.”

SIMON PAGENAUD, NO. 4 CORVETTE RACING, CORVETTE C7.R

“Corvette is definitely an icon in American racing and as an American sports car. When I was racing with for another manufacturer, I always noticed the presence of the Corvette and Chevrolet fans. I’ve always said that Corvette Racing is a proper program – well put together with a very impressive presentation, great drivers and a fantastic team. The results speak for themselves. It’s great to be part of it now. It is definitely a very different experience compared to prototypes but I have some good experience in GT cars. I look forward to now being part of the family by driving for Chevrolet and Corvette Racing. The Corvette C7.R is a beautiful piece of machinery with a lot of high-tech development. It’s a great platform for the development of road cars and supercars.”

“Thanks to Chevrolet for the opportunity, and of course thanks to Roger Penske and Tim Cindric in allowing me to be available. With this type of opportunity where you have the chance to go and run in a different category with a car and team that can win, it’s exciting and gets you very motivated. I really want to win Daytona. If we can do that with Chevrolet and Corvette Racing, I’ll be super excited and over the moon.”

Connect with Corvette Racing and Team Chevy on social media.  Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TeamChevy, follow us on Twitter @CorvetteRacing and @TeamChevy, and add +TeamChevy into your Google+ circles.

 

NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES DRIVERS READY TO HIT THE ROAD TO THE DAYTONA 500

Cross-Country Media Blitz to Feature Close to 20 Drivers Promoting the DAYTONA 500 on Feb. 22

Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. Jan. 13, 2015 – In the weeks leading up to the prestigious season-opening DAYTONA 500 Sunday, Feb. 22, the stars of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will be logging plenty of miles promoting “The Great American Race” with the Road to the DAYTONA 500 Tour.

The cross-country media blitz will feature close to 20 drivers visiting 11 different cities. Each location will host a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver for a day of special events and media availabilities, all promoting the 57th annual DAYTONA 500 Sunday, Feb. 22 (TV – FOX, FOX Deportes; Radio – MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

“We’re excited to work with the drivers as we build the excitement throughout the country about the DAYTONA 500 and the start of the new NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season,” Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III said. “The Road to the DAYTONA 500 is a critical element in promoting ‘The Great American Race’.”

The Road to the DAYTONA 500 kicked off Jan. 2 in Jacksonville with 2014 DAYTONA 500 champion Dale Earnhardt Jr., who prior to flipping the coin at the TaxSlayer Bowl, met with the media alongside the Harley J. Earl DAYTONA 500 trophy and participated in a Twitter takeover of @DISupdates.

Among the other cities and drivers that will be featured on the tour include:

• Washington, D.C. (Jeff Gordon)
• Phoenix (Danica Patrick)
• Atlanta (Kyle Busch)
• Boston (Kevin Harvick)
• Chicago (Carl Edwards)
• Tampa (Brad Keselowski, Tony Stewart and Kyle Larson)
• Los Angeles (Jimmie Johnson)
• Miami (Joey Logano)
• New York (Earnhardt Jr., Denny Hamlin)
• Orlando (Matt Kenseth)
• Daytona Beach (Clint Bowyer, AJ Allmendinger and Ryan Newman)
• Orlando-Daytona Beach, where driver Austin Dillon and owner Richard Childress will officially activate the new vertical transportation associated with its $400 million DAYTONA Rising project with an Escalator Duel.

In addition, during Budweiser Speedweeks, Aric Almirola and Kasey Kahne are expected to fly with the world-renowned U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, who are providing the flyover for the DAYTONA 500.

Race fans can follow along with each Road to the DAYTONA 500 event on Twitter using #ROADTODAYTONA500 or by visiting www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/TheRoad.

Tickets for the 57th annual DAYTONA 500 and all Budweiser Speedweeks 2015 events are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 1-800-PITSHOP or visiting www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com

Fans also can follow NASCAR on Twitter and stay up to speed on the latest news by using hashtags #DAYTONA500 and #SPEEDWEEKS. Stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook 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.

 

NBC SPORTS GROUP ADDS KRISTA VODA AS NASCAR HOST

Krista Voda

Motorsports Host Brings More Than a Decade of Experience to NBC Sports Group’s Multi-Platform Package, Starting in 2015

STAMFORD, Conn. — November 04, 2014 – NBC Sports Group announced today that Krista Voda has signed a multi-year agreement to serve as host of NBC Sports’ upcoming NASCAR Sprint Cup and XFINITY Series pre- and post-race coverage, beginning in 2015. Her on-air duties will also include regular appearances as host of NASCAR AMERICA on NBCSN, as well as a range of assignments across NBC Sports and NBC Olympics. The announcement was made today by Sam Flood, Executive Producer, NBC Sports and NBCSN.

“Krista is a talented host that has established a strong connection with NASCAR viewers over the course of an already impressive career,” said Flood. “Her passion for the sport and comprehensive grasp of its stars, personalities and history will provide for an engaging and informative race day experience for the fans.”

Krista’s résumé is among the strongest in NASCAR broadcasting.  When she joins NBC Sports in 2015, it will mark her 14th continuous year covering the sport on network television.  She is the current host of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series pre-race show for Fox Sports, and was the first female to ever host NASCAR’s Daytona Duels, as well as the NASCAR All-Star Race in Charlotte. She recently concluded her eighth season as a pit reporter for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series coverage on Fox and has hosted or co-hosted every NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction ceremony, many NASCAR Awards Banquets, and several Fox Sports studio shows.  Outside of motorsports, Krista has an impressive breadth of experience, including NFL sideline reporting, and on-air contributions to numerous major sporting events, including postseason MLB broadcasts, Bowl Championship Series coverage, the Kentucky Derby, multiple NCAA men’s basketball tournaments and the PGA Championship.

“This role is a dream opportunity for me and I’m honored to be a part of NBC’s return to NASCAR,” said Voda. “We say it often, but it’s true: NASCAR is more than a sport, it’s a community. I’ve been blessed, for many years, to stand alongside colleagues who I also consider dear friends. I’m looking forward to this new chapter and the chance to share my knowledge and enthusiasm for storytelling.”

On July 23, 2013, NASCAR and NBC Sports Group reached a comprehensive agreement that grants NBCUniversal exclusive rights to the final 20 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races, final 19 NASCAR XFINITY Series events, select NASCAR Regional & Touring Series events and other live content, beginning in 2015.

With this partnership, NBC’s 20 Sprint Cup race schedule includes a designation as the exclusive home to the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, when the elite national series races through its final 10 events of the season.  The Chase culminates with the season-ending championship event, which returns to network television in 2015 for the first time since 2009. Of NBC Sports Group’s 20 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events, seven will be carried on NBC annually, with 13 airing on NBCSN. Four of NBC Sports Group’s 19 NASCAR XFINITY Series races will air on NBC, with 15 airing on NBCSN.

NASCAR AMERICA premiered in February, following Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Daytona 500 victory and NBC Sports Group’s multi-platform coverage of the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi. The weekday 30-minute news and highlights program is hosted primarily by NASCAR on NBC lead race announcer Rick Allen and features regular appearances by NBC Sports NASCAR analyst Jeff Burton, reporters Marty Snider, Kelli Stavast and Nate Ryan, as well as guest analysts such as Kyle Petty, Bobby Labonte, Wally Dallenbach and Frank Stoddard.

In addition to NASCAR’s Sprint Cup and NASCAR XFINITY Series races, NBC also obtained exclusive rights to practice and qualifying sessions for NBC’s national series events during their portion of the season, as well as rights to broadcast the NASCAR K&N Series, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, NASCAR Toyota (Mexico) Series, the NASCAR Hall of Fame induction ceremony and NASCAR’s season-ending banquets. Further, NBC is granted Spanish-language rights, certain video-on-demand rights and exclusive TV Everywhere rights for its NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR XFINITY Series events.

 

DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY FEATURES BUSY SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES DURING FALL CYCLE SCENE

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – October 15, 2014 – Daytona International Speedway will be a must-see stop for motorcycle enthusiasts on Oct. 16-19 for the annual Fall Cycle Scene.

On the track, the Speedway’s 3.51-mile road course will feature the Team Hammer Advanced School, vintage racing from American Historic Motorcycle Racing Association (AHMRA), Championship Cup Series (CCS) sprint races and the American Sportbike Racing Association (ASRA) finals.

Outside the “World Center of Racing,” there will also be numerous motorcycle activities to check out including:

• Monster Dash: The annual Monster Dash returns on Friday night, Oct. 17 where bikers will have the opportunity to take two parade laps around the Speedway. Tickets are $30 per bike and can be purchased in advance by calling 1-800-PITSHOP or the day of the event. The Monster Dash will begin at approximately 6 p.m. following the completion of on-track events
• Fashion show: The Hot Leathers Fashion Show and Bikini Contest will be staged on Saturday, Oct. 18 at 1 p.m. in the K and G Cycles Thunder Alley Stage.
• Free Demo Rides: Behind the backstretch grandstands, motorcycle enthusiasts can test-ride the newest rides from manufacturers Spyder, Suzuki and Star.
• Vendors and displays: Bikers can visit with close to 100 of the nation’s top aftermarket product vendors or get an up close look at the cruiser and sport bike manufacturers and custom bike builders have to offer in their display areas.
• K and G Cycles Thunder Alley: Bikers can spend the day inside the K and G Cycles Thunder Alley where they can enjoy a cold Budweiser and great food next to the area’s largest vendor, display and demo ride marketplace. K and G Cycles Thunder Alley will also showcase live music, games and contests.
• RV Parking: RV camping is available inside the “World Center of Racing” infield. Gecko Shores at Lake Lloyd (with hook-ups) is available for $295 and GEICO Grounds Red (no hook-ups) is $175 which also includes two adult admissions for the weekend’s racing activities.  Tent camping in Daytona’s infield inside Turns 3 and 4 are FREE with your daily admission ticket. Motorcycle trailer parking is $25. For more information, call 1-800-PITSHOP.

Tickets for Fall Cycle Scene start at $10 and can be purchased at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com,  by calling 1-800-PITSHOP or at the gate. Fans can also 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.