Get Into Gear With Jeff Gordon
DuPont Teflon is Giving Fans the Chance to Meet Jeff Gordon with an Exclusive NASCAR Sweepstakes
DuPont Teflon, a leader in innovative stain protection for apparel and workwear, today announced that they have teamed up with three-time Daytona 500 Champion, Jeff Gordon, to launch their “Get Into Gear” sweepstakes. Two (2) grand prize winners will win an exclusive weekend at the 2011 Daytona 500, VIP Garage Passes, and have the opportunity to see Jeff Gordon compete for his fourth championship title in his No. 24 Chevrolet Impala. The sweepstakes runs through Nov. 30. US residents can enter to win at www.teflon.com/news.
“DuPont has been by my side for many years, and their help in providing this once in a lifetime experience means a lot,” said Gordon. “This is an unbelievable chance to see what it’s really like at one of the most famous races in the world, and I’m looking forward to sharing the excitement with the winners.”
Two (2) grand prize winners will receive an all expenses paid trip for two (2) to the Daytona 500 taking place in Feb. 2011, a chance to meet Jeff Gordon, and an invitation to a DuPont VIP Reception. On race day, the winners have full access to the DuPont Hospitality Tent and receive a guided Pit Road Tour. Weekly and monthly prizes will also be awarded, and exclusive savings on Craftsman® Workwear are also available just for visiting www.teflon.com/news.
“It’s amazing that Jeff is providing such an insider’s look at team preparations on race day,” said Thomas H. Samples, global business manager, DuPont surface protection solutions. ”He is offering a rare glimpse into his life because he genuinely enjoys meeting his fans. His accomplishments have people worldwide looking up to him and DuPont is proud to be a small part of the amazing things he has accomplished.”
NASCAR sanctioned Online Racing begins
iRacing.com is Home to Five NASCAR Series
A vision that Bill France Jr. articulated more than fifteen years ago will become reality this season with the formation of the NASCAR iRacing.com Series, an official NASCAR racing series.
On February 9th, online racing competition commences with the first event of the inaugural 18-race, 39-week NASCAR iRacing Drivers World Championship. This series will feature the 50 top-rated drivers currently racing in iRacing’s Pro Series and will include NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., who recently clinched entry into this elite series.
Selected races from the series will be carried over the internet on iRacing.com. Weekly iRacing news coverage and standings will be featured on NASCARmedia.com.
NASCAR and iRacing have worked together since the announcement of the partnership in 2009 to refine the structure of the series, establish a “sporting code” or rule book, as well as develop an identity for the series.
While entry for the NASCAR iRacing Drivers World Championship is limited to the top 50 drivers, iRacing will also host five NASCAR amateur series open to all NASCAR fans through membership in the iRacing.com online service.
Just below the World Championship series, the 2010 NASCAR iRacing Pro Series is reserved for the 250 top-ranked oval-track iRacing drivers and commences in May to determine eligibility to participate in the 2011 NASCAR iRacing Drivers World Championship.
“Bill France Jr. was ahead of his time when he initially had the vision of an online racing series. Thanks to evolving technology NASCAR fans can virtually compete at their favorite track and have their chance to end up in a victory lane,” said NASCAR Senior Vice President Paul Brooks.
Tony Gardner, iRacing’s president, explained that iRacing’s staff has been busy fine-tuning the infrastructure and creating the organization that supports the vision of NASCAR online racing.
“We’ve created our online racing service for racers and fans,” Gardner said. “We’ve done the hard work to make it simple and easy for NASCAR fans to join iRacing and get behind the wheel. You don’t have to be a computer engineer to do this, all you need to know is how to turn on a computer and connect to the internet. For PC owners with a broadband connection you just buy an inexpensive wheel-and-pedal set from your local consumer electronics store or online and in an hour you can be racing. It’s that simple. Everything you need to know to get started is right there on our Web site, at www.iracing.com.”
The opportunity for NASCAR fans to have extremely affordable but highly meaningful racing careers of their own will become a reality with the launch of these NASCAR-sanctioned amateur online racing series organized and hosted by iRacing.com.
Featuring four 12-week seasons each calendar year, these series feature modifieds, late models, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series trucks, NASCAR Nationwide and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series cars and mirror the skill ladder that NASCAR athletes typically follow, beginning with short-track racing and proceeding through virtual versions of the three premier real-world NASCAR series.
While iRacing competition licenses to participate in organized races are issued in progressive skill levels, all members are permitted to practice with any car on any track. In conjunction with the Daytona 500, the spring NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Talladega race and the NASCAR season-ending Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway, as part of its 2010 World Tour, iRacing will organize races that are open to any member of the service, regardless of license level.
Source: iRacing.com
iRacing Simulation gives NASCAR Hall of Fame guests authentic driving experience
Qualifying and Racing in Ultra-Realistic Racing Simulators to Be a Highlight of Fans’ Race Day Experience
If the two living members of the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s inaugural class of inductees, Richard Petty and Junior Johnson, are still wondering who’s the better racer, they won’t need to order new helmets and driving uniforms to find out; they can just show up on May 23, 2010, the day of their formal induction into the Hall of Fame, and answer the question behind the wheel of one of the 15 iRacing.com-powered NASCAR stock car simulators located in the Hall.
“We’re honored that the NASCAR Hall of Fame selected iRacing to develop the part of the visitor experience that actually puts fans behind the wheel of a NASCAR Sprint Cup car for the most realistic possible virtual driving experience,” said Steve Myers, iRacing’s executive producer. “And we expect that many of the fans who meet us in the Hall of Fame experience will choose to get even closer to the sport of NASCAR racing by joining the iRacing community and participating in our official NASCAR-sanctioned online racing series.”
The NASCAR Hall of Fame official racing simulation that will entertain hundreds of thousands of visitors to the NASCAR Hall of Fame every year (and potentially let Richard and Junior have another chance to race each other) is a custom version of the same software iRacing.com uses in its popular online motorsport simulation service. It features the same laser-scanned, millimeter-accurate version of all the tracks on the NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule and the NASCAR cars driven regularly in the online version by more than 15,000 iRacing members, including NASCAR stars such as Dale Earnhardt, Jr., A.J. Allmendinger, Joey Logano, Martin Truex, Jr., Marcos Ambrose, Bobby Labonte, Brad Keselowski, Michael McDowell, Justin Labonte, Colin Braun, Chad McCumbee and Cale Gale.
“It’s important to us that every aspect of our guest experience be as realistic as possible – not just another arcade experience, but an activity that is challenging and demonstrates the skills necessary to drive a stock car. iRacing brings exactly that level of accuracy and authenticity,” said Winston Kelley, executive director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, who noted that Hall of Fame had entered into a multi-year agreement with iRacing to provide the simulated driving experience at the Hall. “Beyond that, we needed to work with a proven and reliable team. iRacing has worked hard to achieve the benchmarks that we’ve set.”
According to Myers, the Hall of Fame’s version of the iRacing software will have a customized front end that replaces the normal online one; automates the driving process so that visitors have a “get-in-and-go” experience; adds the ability for the administrator to specify aspects of the visitor’s driving program including number of laps that can be driven and other variables; and collects data such as best qualifying lap time, race performance and finish order for fields of up to 15 cars so as to ensure a fun and informative experience for every visitor.
The iRacing software will run in a set of seven two-seat NASCAR stock car replicas, providing 14 simultaneous driving positions. Another simulator will be designated for wheelchair use as well for those with disabilities. The customized version of the software permits the Hall of Fame to schedule races that will be broadcast on a giant 50-foot overhead video screen. Just as in the real world, the drivers’ friends and other visitors will be able to watch all the action and cheer them on. (During qualifying periods, the screen will display standings and other information.)
In a separate area, and with a more basic simulator where the driver stands rather than sitting in a racing seat, visitors will also be able to experience a qualifying session.
“It has been a fresh and enjoyable challenge doing that for the NASCAR Hall of Fame, which promises to be one of the most popular attractions in America,” Myers said, “We’re pleased that millions of NASCAR fans over the years will get to feel what it is like to drive a Sprint Cup car at one of their favorite tracks.”
Tickets and memberships for the NASCAR Hall of Fame are available online at www.nascarhall.com. General admission prices are $19.95 for adults, $17.95 for seniors and military, $12.95 for children 5-12 and free for children under 5. Simulators rides are $5 per person for non-members and are offered at discounted rates for members.
Source: iRacing.com Motorsport Simulations, LLC
Craftsman and NASCAR Announce Newest NASCAR Award
NASCAR(R) Craftsman Wrenchman Award Honors Crew Members from Each Series
Craftsman, the Official Tools of NASCAR(R), and NASCAR announced the newest NASCAR(R) season-ending award — the Craftsman Wrenchman Award, to recognize a team member from each of the three national NASCAR(R) Touring Series who best showcases core Craftsman attributes of Trust, Quality, Knowledge and Innovation when performing their job with the race team.
The Craftsman Wrenchman Award is open to all crew members, whether they work at the track or race shop. Teams will nominate one team member with a selection committee choosing the finalists. A fan voting will decide the winner on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series side, while the selection committee will choose the winners from the NASCAR(R) Nationwide and NASCAR(R) Camping World Truck series.
The accomplishments and profiles of each of the 12 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series finalists, showcasing how they embody the core Craftsman attributes of Trust, Quality, Knowledge and Innovation, will be featured on craftsman.com, giving fans a unique opportunity to get a glimpse behind-the-scenes at what it takes to field a NASCAR(R) team and vote for their favorites. In addition, one lucky fan will win a trip to NASCAR(R) Champions Week in Las Vegas to make the presentation to the winning crew member. Overall, the program is expected to award approximately $170,000 in cash and Craftsman tools to the winners.
“The NASCAR(R) Craftsman Wrenchman Award will celebrate and reward the everyday heroes of NASCAR(R) who exemplify the attributes of the Craftsman brand both in the garage and at home,” said Matt McDonnell, manager of brand development Craftsman. “It’s also the perfect opportunity to establish a personal connection for the fans with important crew members who typically don’t get to step into the spotlight.”
Crew member nominations by participating NASCAR(R) Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck series teams will take place this summer. A selection committee will narrow the NSCS finalists in August. Fan voting will commence in the fall, leading up to the announcement of the Craftsman Wrenchman Award winners on Nov. 22 at Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The Craftsman Wrenchman Award will be presented in early December at the NASCAR(R) Sprint Cup Series Awards Banquet during NASCAR(R) Champions Week in Las Vegas.
Source: Sears Holdings Corporation
SIRIUS XM Radio Offers Motorsports Fans Unrivaled Coverage of NASCAR, IndyCar, Formula 1 and American Le Mans Series Racing
With the most recent addition of IndyCar(R) to “Best of XM” on SIRIUS, all four racing disciplines are available for first time to both SIRIUS and XM listeners
SIRIUS XM, the leader in motorsports, is the only place to get live coverage of every NASCAR, every IndyCar(R), every Formula 1(TM) and every American Le Mans Series race
Listeners from coast to coast get access to 145 auto races
SIRIUS XM Radio will provide listeners from coast to coast with unparalleled coverage of the world’s greatest auto racing series with live coverage of every NASCAR race, every IndyCar(R) Series race, every Formula 1(TM) race and every American Le Mans Series race.
Recently, SIRIUS XM announced that all IndyCar(R), Formula 1(TM) and American Le Mans Series races will be available to both SIRIUS and XM listeners in 2009, joining NASCAR races, which have been available to both SIRIUS subscribers and XM subscribers since October, 2008. With IndyCar(R) season kicking off earlier this month, all four seasons are now in full swing and are available to both SIRIUS and XM listeners.
SIRIUS XM Radio is the only media outlet to air every event from all four of these auto racing series, giving motorsports fans around the country access to the world’s best racing on oval tracks, road course tracks and street circuits.
This weekend’s live race coverage includes five world class events:
Friday, April 17, 9:00pm ET: Basha’s Supermarkets 200 NASCAR Nationwide
Series race
Phoenix, AZ – SIRIUS 128 / XM 128 (“Best of SIRIUS”)
Saturday, April 18, 7:00pm ET: Tequila Patron American Le Mans Series at
Long Beach
Long Beach, CA – SIRIUS 126 / XM 242
Saturday, April 18, 8:00pm ET: Subway Fresh Fit 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup
Series Race
Phoenix, AZ – SIRIUS 128 / XM 128 (“Best of SIRIUS”)
Sunday, April 19, 3:00am ET: Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix
Shanghai, China – SIRIUS 126 / XM 242
Sunday, April 19, 4:00pm ET: IndyCar Series Toyota Grand Prix of Long
Beach
Long Beach, CA – XM 145 / SIRIUS 212 (“Best of XM”)
“For the first time, every race from all the major auto racing series in the world — 145 events in total — is available on one radio,” said Scott Greenstein, SIRIUS XM’s President and Chief Content Officer. “No one else, on TV or radio, offers that kind of access. No matter where you live or what you are a fan of – the fender-to-fender racing of NASCAR, the speed of IndyCar, the precision of Formula 1, or the endurance of American Le Mans Series – SIRIUS XM is the clear choice for motorsports enthusiasts.”
As the Official Satellite Radio Partner of NASCAR, SIRIUS XM broadcasts every NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race live on SIRIUS NASCAR Radio, available nationwide on SIRIUS channel 128 and on XM channel 128 with the “Best of SIRIUS” programming package. As part of the coverage of Sprint Cup Series races, SIRIUS XM also offers additional Driver2Crew Chatter(TM) channels that allow fans to follow team strategy by listening in to the in-car communications between drivers and pit crews. For more info visit www.sirius.com/nascar.
SIRIUS XM will broadcast every IndyCar(R) Series race live on XM channel 145 and on SIRIUS channels 211/212 as part of the “Best of XM” package, including the 93rd Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 24. Motorsports fans will hear pre-race programming, including interviews and commentary, as well as live wheel-to-wheel action on the track. Throughout the season, fans can also tune in to Indy Racing Weekly, the exclusive weekly show focused on the IndyCar(R) Series with expert analysis, race highlights and interviews, on XM channel 145 and SIRIUS channel 211 (part of the “Best of XM”). For more info visit www.xmradio.com/irl.
Racing fans can tune in to hear every American Le Mans Series race of the season on SIRIUS channel 126 and XM channel 242. Both channels are available with the SIRIUS and XM subscriptions. The American Le Mans Series is North America’s premier sports car series, featuring high-tech cars from the most prestigious automobile manufacturers in the world — including Acura, Aston Martin, Audi, BMW, Mazda, Porsche, Corvette, Ferrari and Panoz — competing in a combination of endurance and sprint races on road racing tracks as well as street circuits in major urban markets. Races feature exotic, open-top prototypes and sophisticated production-based Grand Touring (GT) cars all competing on the track at the same time. For more info visit www.xmradio.com/alms.
As the exclusive North American radio broadcaster of all Formula One(TM) (F1) races, SIRIUS XM will carry the entire 2009 calendar of races live from the Australian Grand Prix on March 29 through the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on November 1. Multiple replays will follow the live broadcast. F1(TM) races air nationwide on SIRIUS channel 126 and XM channel 242. Both channels are available with the SIRIUS and XM subscriptions. The FIA Formula 1 World Championship(TM) season of 17 races, known as Grands Prix, is run on road course circuits, and in a few cases on closed city streets, around the globe. The results of each race are combined to determine two annual World Championships, one for drivers and one for constructors (teams).
SIRIUS XM’s coverage also features an exclusive F1(TM) pre-race show hosted by veteran auto racing journalist Adam Cooper. The SIRIUS Formula 1(TM) Pre-Race Show will lead in to every Grand Prix race, offering listeners the latest team news and information, a recap of qualifying results, driver interviews and an in-depth examination of that weekend’s circuit. More info can be found at www.sirius.com/f1.
SIRIUS XM’s motorsports schedule is a feature of the extensive European sports programming the satellite radio broadcaster offers. Listeners can also hear world class soccer from the English Premier League, Champions League and Scottish Premier League, plus World Cup skiing events from around the globe.
Source: SIRIUS XM Radio