PIR Gives Fans Access to NASCAR Stars as Part of Entertainment Offering!

Phoenix-area resident Danica Patrick – set to make her Phoenix International Raceway NASCAR debut during the upcoming Kobalt Tools 500 race weekend – will participate in a fan Q&A at PIR’s Budweiser ROLL-BAR stage on Nov. 12. The event will be open to all ticketed race fans, with a special front-stage section reserved for PIR season-ticket holders.

Other drivers scheduled to interact directly with NASCAR fans at PIR include:

·         Rusty Wallace, the 1989 Sprint Cup champion, and his son, Nationwide Series driver Steve Wallace
·         Kevin Harvick, one of three favorites currently competing for the 2010 Sprint Cup
·         Clint Bowyer, winner of two Chase for the Sprint Cup NASCAR playoff races in 2010
·         Ryan Newman, winner of April’s SUBWAY Fresh Fit 600™ at PIR
·         Kasey Kahne and Robby Gordon, two Sprint Cup fan favorites from the West Coast
·         Ricky Carmichael, the former motocross champion turned NASCAR driver (all driver appearance details listed in schedule below)

PIR also offers a host of live music for fans, headlined by the Restrictor Plates – an Atlanta-based Southern Rock experience led by touring slide-guitar ace Benji Shanks. The Restrictor plates will bring race fans a set list of classic Southern Rock from the Budweiser ROLL-BAR stage at 11 a.m. on Sunday Nov. 14, just before Kobalt Tools 500 pre-race ceremonies commence. The weekend kicks off Thursday, Nov. 11 in the SPEED Cantina with PIR fan favorite Harry Luge, Jr. The singer/songwriter and regular on the “Country Thunder” Festival circuit, mixes Southern Rock and Country to create what he calls Arizona’s “own” country music. The Queen Creek native takes the stage from 9 to 11 p.m. at SPEED Cantina both Thursday and Friday nights. Local favorites the Crown Kings, Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band Freebird and popular NASCAR writer/country crooner Monte Dutton are all also scheduled to perform at various venues throughout the race weekend.

The weekend’s full schedule of entertainment is listed below. Please note that events scheduled within the Budweiser ROLL-BAR Club or the Trackside Club requires patrons to purchase a ticket to those areas.

Tickets to Budweiser ROLL-BAR Club are available for advance purchase at $89 for Nov. 13 and $139 for Nov. 14. Additional purchase of a grandstand ticket is still required for track admission. Tickets for a full weekend package in Trackside Club are $699. A three-day package for Octane is $2,400 per person and includes unlimited food/beverage and many other plush accommodations. Tickets to Budweiser ROLL-BAR, Octane, and Trackside Club are available online at PhoenixRaceway.com, or by calling 1-866-408-RACE (7223).

ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE FOR KOBALT TOOLS 500

Friday, November 12, 2010

Noon – West Series Open House begins outside Turn 2
2:30pm – Q&A’s begin – West Series Open House
3:00pm – Driver autograph session – West Series Open House
3:00pm – NASCAR Smarts, SPEED Display on Fan Midway
3:00pm – Danica Patrick Q&A, Budweiser ROLL-BAR Stage
4:00pm – SPEED Talent Autograph Session, SPEED Display on Fan Midway
5:30pm – Trackside LIVE, SPEED Display on Fan Midway
Checkered Flag – Freebird, The Ultimate Lynyrd Skynyrd Experience, Budweiser ROLL-BAR Stage (Fireworks at Checkered Flag)
9:00pm – Rhythm Night at SPEED Cantina featuring Harry Luge, Jr.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

11:00am – Rusty & Steve Wallace Q&A, Trackside Club
11:30am – Ricky Carmichael Q&A, Inside Budweiser ROLL-BAR Club
Noon – Ricky Carmichael Q&A, Octane
Noon – Chad Freeman & Redline, Budweiser ROLL-BAR Stage
5:00pm – NASCAR Live, SPEED Display on Fan Midway
9:00pm to 11:00pm – 3 Amigos Tequila Night at SPEED Cantina featuring the Crown Kings
TBD Time – Colin Braun Q&A, Ford Racing Display on Fan Midway
TBD Time – Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ford Racing Display on Fan Midway
TBD Time – Miss Sprint Cup, Inside Budweiser ROLL-BAR Club

Sunday, November 14, 2010

9:00am – #31 Pit Crew Autograph Session, Chevy Display on Fan Midway
9:30am – Robby Gordon Q&A, Octane
9:30am – Kevin Harvick Q&A, Inside Budweiser ROLL-BAR Club
9:30am – Ryan Newman Q&A, Trackside Club
9:45am – AJ Allmendinger Q&A, Inside Budweiser ROLL-BAR Club
9:50am to 10:05am – Ryan Newman Q&A, Chevy Display on Fan Midway
10:00am – Kasey Kahne Q&A, Inside Budweiser ROLL-BAR Club
10:00am – NASCAR RaceDay, SPEED Display on Fan Midway
11:00am to Noon – The Restrictor Plates, Budweiser ROLL-BAR Stage
TBD Time – Clint Bowyer Q&A, Inside Budweiser ROLL-BAR Club
TBD Time – Greg Biffle Q&A, Ford Racing Display on Fan Midway
TBD Time – AJ Allmendinger Q&A, Ford Racing Display on Fan Midway
TBD Time – Miss Sprint Cup, Trackside Club

For fan schedule updates, please visit http://PhoenixRaceway.com. Schedule subject to change.

Kasey Khane, Clint Bowyer, and Others Appearing at PIR’S Budweiser ROLL-BAR!

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series star and Budweiser driver Kasey Kahne will appear at Phoenix International Raceway’s Budweiser ROLL-BAR for a question-and-answer session with NASCAR fans before the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 600™ on Saturday, April 10.

Kahne, driver of the No. 9 Budweiser Ford for Richard Petty Motorsports, qualified for the 2009 Chase for the Sprint Cup – his second such distinction. Kahne has three top-10 finishes in 11 Sprint Cup Series starts at Phoenix International Raceway.

Fellow Sprint Cup competitors Clint Bowyer, Robby Gordon, and A.J. Allmendinger will also appear at Budweiser ROLL-BAR over the weekend. Each driver will be scheduled to participate for 15 minutes, and appearance times will be confirmed shortly and announced on PhoenixRaceway.com.  More driver appearances will be announced soon.

Budweiser ROLL-BAR is located just behind the Bobby Allison Grandstands on the west side of the track, and features the best in live entertainment each day and night throughout the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 600™ NASCAR weekend and appearances by some of NASCAR’s top personalities.

The innovative hospitality environment at Budweiser ROLL-BAR includes a special VIP section for guests, featuring high-end furniture on a raised platform. A number of unique custom structures – including a bar to house a replica of the No. 9 Budweiser Ford driven by Kahne – adorn the beer garden area and highlight the Budweiser branding seen throughout the club.

Single-day tickets to Budweiser ROLL-BAR are available for $89 on Friday, April 9 and for $139 on Saturday, April 10. Additional purchase of a grandstand ticket is still required for track admission.

Tickets for the April 10 SUBWAY Fresh Fit 600™ – with prices as low as $25 – and all other events throughout the first NASCAR event weekend of 2010 at Phoenix International Raceway are still available at www.phoenixraceway.com or by calling 1-866-408-RACE (7223).

Jimmie Johnson Foundation and PIR Unite Again – Audio Interview Included!

Last week at the Hard Rock Cafe in downtown Phoenix, Bryan Sperber, Phoenix International Raceway President, announced that the track has extended its partnership with the Jimmie Johnson Foundation for the April 16th NASCAR Camping World Series West race at PIR, which will again be named the Jimmie Johnson Foundation 150.

The partnership between the Foundation and PIR reaches its second year in 2009. The Jimmie Johnson Foundation 150 is scheduled as the first of three races during the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500™ event weekend, with the green flag dropping under PIR’s bright lights at 7:15 p.m. on April 16.  Mike David won the first Foundation race in 2008.

The Jimmie Johnson Foundation – created by Johnson and his wife, Chandra – is dedicated to assisting children, families, and communities in need. The foundation strives to help everyone, particularly children, pursue their dreams. The partner programs for the Jimmie Johnson Foundation include San Diego Habitat for Humanity, the Hendrick Marrow Program, the Victory Junction Gang Camp, and Phoenix-based Make-A-Wish Foundation of America.

In partnership with Phoenix International Raceway, the Jimmie Johnson Foundation has designated the West Valley Child Crisis Center as its local charity of choice.  The WVCCC’s mission is to provide a safe place where children are comfortable and loved, and given a chance to heal before being placed in a foster home, restored with their parent(s), or with a relative that the State deems able to provide decent care.

I had the great opportunity to speak with the 3-time defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion about the new partnership, racing at PIR, the season ahead, and ever owning his own NASCAR team.  Please listen to the attached audio file to hear the entire interview.

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After my interview, Jimmie and Bryan addressed the rest of the media and guests who were in attendance. One of the main, and incredibly hilarious, highlights of the day was when a fellow media member asked Jimmie two specific questions. Was it true that he sometimes gets carsick when driving, and had he ever seen one of his fellow Hendrick Motorsports drivers’ naked.

Well, Johnson quickly responded to the second question with a chuckle and a resounding, “NO! Never!”

His answer to the first question came with an entertaining story. Jimmie did admit to getting carsick from time to time, but said it is something he deals with and can handle. He then touched on one specific time while driving in the Dakar Rally for Robby Gordon.

During a 250 mile heat he humbly admitted that about 230 of those miles was a non-stop puke fest! The funny part about the situation was that Jimmie had forgotten his helmet and had to borrow Robby’s. After the race, without saying a word, he nonchalantly placed the helmet back in Gordon’s bag! He said Robby did eventually provide some payback, but didn’t get into specifics of how.

Johnson then came back around to sharing more on his thoughts about Phoenix International Raceway, the partnership and the opportunity to give back to the local community.

“I really give the track a lot of credit for this partnership idea,” said Johnson. “It’s a great way that we can raise awareness and funds for our foundation.  At the same time, Chani and I are thrilled to be making a contribution to a very important local charity.  We hope the children who benefit from the services of West Valley Child Crisis Center will have a chance to join us for a night of fun and racing at the Jimmie Johnson Foundation 150.”

As Johnson attempts his fourth consecutive Sprint Cup Series victory at PIR in the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500™, fans will be able to purchase a special Jimmie Johnson Foundation Ticket Package – including a seat in the Bobby Allison Grandstands for the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500™, a pre-race pit pass, a gift, and admission to a pre-race question-and-answer session with Johnson – for $148. A portion of the proceeds from the Jimmie Johnson Foundation Sprint Cup Series race package will support the foundation and its partner programs.

“We are truly excited about partnering with Chandra and Jimmie Johnson on this unique project that ties racing with philanthropy for a second consecutive year,” Sperber said. “PIR strongly believes in the work of the foundation and it was natural for us to continue to grow this partnership. Additionally, we are very excited to unveil a new and unique race experience for our fans through the Jimmie Johnson Foundation Ticket Package.”

This year’s event will feature more than just a 150-mile race for the Camping World Series West teams. A special “Night of Champions” party featuring Johnson will take place in PIR’s Octane on the evening of the Jimmie Johnson Foundation 150. Proceeds from special racing items and memorabilia auctioned at the event will benefit the Jimmie Johnson Foundation and its partner programs, all with the intent of giving back to children in the Phoenix area and beyond.

Sponsorship and ticket information for the Night of Champions party is available by calling Stacy Kutz of Phoenix International Raceway at (623) 463-5400.

General race tickets for the April 16 Jimmie Johnson Foundation 150 and all other events throughout the NASCAR event weekend at PIR can be purchased at www.phoenixraceway.com, or over the phone at 1-866-408-RACE (7223).

A huge thanks to Phoenix International Raceway, Paul Corliss, and Griffin Hickman for access to the event and providing some of the enclosed content.