NASCAR Champion Jimmie Johnson Honored at the White House!

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson was honored at the White House on Wednesday, August 19. The South Lawn event also included 2008 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers and several past champions and special guests.

“NASCAR is once again honored to have its drivers recognized by the President of the United States,” said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France. “NASCAR is rooted deep in America’s fabric and represents the best of sports and side-by-side competition.”

Joining Johnson at the celebration were: Greg Biffle, Clint Bowyer, Jeff Burton, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Carl Edwards, Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin and Tony Stewart. (Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch and Matt Kenseth couldn’t attend due to schedule conflicts).

Past champions and special guests in attendance were: Dale Jarrett, Bobby Labonte, Terry Labonte, Juan Pablo Montoya, Richard Petty, Rusty Wallace and Darrell Waltrip.

This was the ninth time the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion has been honored at the White House since 2000. NASCAR’s first official visit to the White House was in 1978 during the Carter administration.

PIR Offering $25 Reserved Seats to the Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500!

Phoenix International Raceway is offering a $25 reserved seat to fans for the Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 Presented by Pennzoil on November 15 – an unprecedented value to watch the semifinal race in NASCAR’s Chase for the Sprint Cup. In both 2007 and 2008, three-time defending Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson won the race in Phoenix, virtually clinching NASCAR’s highest honor in the Valley of the Sun.

Johnson currently sits fourth in the Sprint Cup standings behind teammate and four-time Sprint Cup champion Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, who won the Sprint Cup in 2002 and 2005, and 2004 Sprint Cup champ Kurt Busch. Those four will be joined in Phoenix by NASCAR’s brightest stars, including Kyle Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Carl Edwards.

Beyond the hard-charging Sprint Cup action of the Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500, fans can secure three full nights of NASCAR action for a mere $47 by purchasing the NASCAR Extreme Value Ticket Package. PIR is offering a $15 reserved seat to its Nationwide Series race on Saturday, November 14 – a series currently topped by Kyle Busch and Edwards – and a $7 reserved seat for the Lucas Oil 150 in the Camping World Truck Series on Friday, November 13. PIR kicks off the November race weekend with grassroots USAC racing as part of the famed Copper World Classic on Thursday, November 12.

Fans at Phoenix International Raceway can see championship-caliber races at the close of the 2009 season in all three of NASCAR’s national touring series for less than the price of many Sprint Cup Series tickets alone at other facilities. Throw in free daily on-site parking – not to mention a wide array of musical entertainment and interactive fun from PIR’s Midway – and fans in the Valley of the Sun have one of sports and entertainment’s best deals at their fingertips.

A full listing of prices for the November NASCAR event weekend is attached to this e-mail.

Tickets for the November NASCAR event weekend at Phoenix International Raceway are available now by calling 1-866-408-RACE (7223) or visiting www.phoenixraceway.com. Be a part of it all at PIR!

NASCAR All-Star Race Preview Video

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers return to their Saturday night racing roots at Lowe’s Motor Speedway and a 10-lap shootout for the fans. Last year’s Fan Vote and race winner, Kasey Kahne, and Jeff Gordon — in search of a record fourth all-star victory — talk about the competition and the fans. Plus, find out why the top racer in Driver Rating will have to race his way into the main event.

And, if you want to watch something really entertaining, check out this video with Ric Flair inviting fans to watch the All-Star Race.

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Governor Jan Brewer Proclaims Phoenix International Raceway As “Zoomtown U.S.A.”

Detroit has long been known and referred to by many as Hockeytown U.S.A. Green Bay has been catagorized by most as Footballtown U.S.A., and St. Louis is the unofficial Baseballtown U.S.A. Well, guess what Phoenix? We have decided to join in on the self proclamation of being a marquee sports destination.

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer has officially declared Phoenix International Raceway as “Zoomtown U.S.A.” for the NASCAR event weekend of April 16-18.

The NASCAR event weekend at “Zoomtown U.S.A.” will be highlighted by the first official night race of the 2009 Sprint Cup Series season, the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500™ on Saturday, April 18.

In an official proclamation dated April 3, 2009 from the Office of the Governor, Brewer made mention of the rich tradition of NASCAR racing within the Valley of the Sun and the State of Arizona, celebrated NASCAR and Phoenix International Raceway’s impact on Arizona’s economy, and gave an advance welcome to several hundred thousand guests and millions of television viewers who will witness the thrilling NASCAR action at “Zoomtown U.S.A.” this month.

The proclamation is as follows:

WHEREAS, Phoenix International Raceway will celebrate its 22nd season of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing at its historic facility, dating back to 1988; and

WHEREAS, with its two annual NASCAR weekends, Phoenix International Raceway has created a motorsports and entertainment haven for residents of Arizona and the Southwestern United States; and

WHEREAS, Phoenix International Raceway is one of just 14 tracks to host two weekends annually of the prestigious NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and its 36-race schedule; and

WHEREAS, with its two NASCAR weekends, Phoenix International Raceway generates a significant economic impact for Arizona annually; and

WHEREAS, more than 200,000 guests will attend the NASCAR event weekend and millions of television viewers will be tuned in from across the country to take in views of Arizona’s sun-splashed landscape and dramatic racing action from Phoenix International Raceway;

WHEREAS, legends of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, including Dale Earnhardt, Sr., Rusty Wallace, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and Jimmie Johnson, have visited Victory Lane at Phoenix International Raceway; and

WHEREAS, Phoenix International Raceway will deliver a fantastic display of speed and sport by hosting its fifth installment of racing under the lights with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event on Saturday, April 18, 2009;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Janice Brewer, Governor of the State of Arizona, do hereby proclaim Phoenix International Raceway as “ZOOMTOWN U.S.A.”

With any self given title, like a nickname you bestow on yourself, it remains to be seen whether or not it will stick. The importance of repetition, fit, and how catchy the name is determines its longevity. Zoomtown U.S.A. is pretty catchy and fun to say. Now it is up to the fans to spread it around.

Thank you to Paul Corliss, Phoenix Internation Raceway, for providing a portion of this content.

Want to see more of Junior? You’re Gonna!

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and JR Motorsports to be featured in Nationwide Insurance 2009 marketing campaign!

And, NASCAR Nationwide Series sponsor introduces ‘Nationwide Insurance Dash 4 Cash’ and NASCAR Nationwide Series ESPN ‘Driver Pick ’Em’ game at media day

Charlotte, NC — Nationwide Insurance announced today at NASCAR Nationwide Series media day that NASCAR racing superstar, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his company JR Motorsports will be featured in a new marketing campaign that will begin in February.

The company also introduced other activities related to the sponsorship, including the Nationwide Insurance Dash 4 Cash, which involves an increased winner’s purse at four NASCAR Nationwide Series races, and the NASCAR Nationwide Series ESPN ‘Driver Pick ’Em’ game presented by Nationwide Insurance, a weekly interactive competition for cash prizes that will be available on ESPN.com

Nationwide’s partnership with Earnhardt Jr. and JR Motorsports, the company he owns that fields NASCAR Nationwide Series teams, will include TV and radio advertising. In the ads, Earnhardt Jr. talks about his family’s 30-year history with Nationwide. Earnhardt Jr, is a current Nationwide customer – as are many other members of his family. The campaign will also involve personal appearances with Earnhardt Jr. and JR Motorsports driver, Brad Keselowski.

“My family has been with Nationwide for three generations,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “When they asked me to appear in the campaign I knew it was a good fit because I’ve always appreciated the relationship our family has had with our Nationwide agent. The service we have received as customers has been outstanding.”

Nationwide has created an interactive micro site, nationwide.com/dalejr, which will feature behind the scenes videos and photos from the recent ad shoot. The final ads will be available on this site in mid-February

The campaign is a departure from previous Nationwide ads featuring celebrities. Despite the obvious opportunity for a racing pun, the ad does not include the company’s famous Life Comes at You Fast line and is not intended to be humorous. It’s framed as a customer testimonial, and true story from a family with one of the richest traditions in NASCAR.

“When we considered our approach for 2009 the Earnhardt family’s long history with Nationwide presented us with a great opportunity to talk about how many of our customers stay with us for a lifetime,” said John Aman, associate vice president of sponsorships for Nationwide

“This is a serious time for Americans,” Aman said. “People are worried about the economy, their jobs, and their retirement plans – so we didn’t want to make a joke. We felt like this was an opportunity to tell an honest story about a real family who has been with Nationwide for generations because they appreciate the service and value Nationwide provided. This family just happens to include some of the greatest race car drivers ever.”

In years past, Nationwide has featured celebrities like Kevin Federline and Fabio during the Super Bowl.

“We’ve had success in building buzz with Super Bowl ads in the past,” Aman said. “At this point in time, we’re focused on developing a deeper relationship with NASCAR’s very loyal fan base as the official provider of auto, home and life insurance and through this new partnership with JR Motorsports.”

Nationwide Insurance Dash 4 Cash
Nationwide also introduced the ‘Nationwide Insurance Dash 4 Cash’ that will add $25,000 to the winner’s purse at the 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series races at Nashville Superspeedway Kentucky Speedway,  Iowa Speedway and Memphis Motorsports Park. Drivers eligible for this competition include full-time NASCAR Nationwide Series drivers and series regulars who are not full-time drivers on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. If a driver who is not eligible wins one of the races, prize money will be rolled over to the next race in the competition. The program also includes a $50,000 season-end bonus to the eligible driver with the highest points total over the four races.

“We wanted to provide some additional support for drivers on our series,” said Aman. “We also hope that these bonuses encourage competition and contribute to more exciting racing for the fans.”

ESPN ‘Driver Pick ’Em’ presented by Nationwide Insurance
The Nationwide ‘Driver Pick’ Em’ contest is an interactive weekly contest on ESPN.com. Fans can log-in weekly to select the winners of 10 head-to-head match-ups for each NASCAR Nationwide Series races. The contest will include cash prizes for weekly and season-long winners.

ABOUT JR MOTORSPORTS:
JR Motorsports is the management company and racing operation for Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR’s most popular driver and winner of more than 40 NASCAR-sanctioned races. JR Motorsports competes in multiple racing divisions, including the NASCAR Nationwide Series. In 2008, JRM enjoyed a breakout season with four Nationwide Series victories between its two teams. The JR Motorsports facilities are based out of Mooresville, N.C., and include the JR Nation retail store, Dale Jr. Fan Experience, Hammerhead Entertainment, and DEJ Realty. For more information on JR Motorsports, visit www.dalejr.com.

About Nationwide:
Nationwide, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the world.  Nationwide ranks #108 on the Fortune 500 list.  The company provides a full range of insurance and financial services, including auto insurance, motorcycle, boat, homeowners, life, farm, commercial insurance, administrative services, annuities, mortgages, mutual funds, pensions, long-term savings plans and health and productivity services. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com.

Thank you to Hope Patterson, Nationwide Corporate Communications, for this information.