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PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Gary Camp
Director of Public Relations
Dover International Speedway
(302) 883-6560
June 30, 2008
Dedication ceremony fit for “The King”: Richard Petty to be honored with a
marquee plaque on the Monster Monument on Sept. 20, 2008
DOVER, Del. – On July 6, 1969, Richard Petty took the first checkered flag at a
new, high-banked racetrack in Dover, Del. Piloting his No. 43 Ford, Petty
started the race in the third position and went on to lead 150 of 300 laps en
route to a dominating win in the inaugural Mason-Dixon 300.
40 years, and seven Dover International Speedway wins later, Petty will be
honored with a marquee plaque on the Monster Monument at Victory Plaza,
presented by AAA, on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2008 at Dover International Speedway.
The 46-foot monument was unveiled in May 2008 and created a new focal point for
race fans visiting the concrete, one-mile oval.
Petty joins Bobby Allison as the only drivers honored with a marquee plaque on
the monument, located outside of Turn 4 at the Speedway. The special four-foot
high granite plaque will be mounted on the monument’s base and will include
Petty’s career and Dover highlights and an engraved image of the driver, in a
section reserved for retired drivers who’ve established their legacy at the
Monster Mile.
A dedication ceremony for Petty is scheduled to begin at 1p.m. near the
monument, and fans are invited to watch a special question-and-answer session
hosted by NASCAR on Fox’s Mike Joy and Dover President & CEO Denis McGlynn. The
ceremony is part of several attractions planned to celebrate Dover's 40th
anniversary season during the Sept. 19-21, 2008 race weekend. Free fan additions
include strolling entertainment, live music, the Aqua String Mummers band, free
autograph sessions and more.
Petty will also participate in a free autograph session for race ticket holders
following the ceremony at 2 p.m. near the monument. Autographs will be available
on a first-come, first-served basis.
The undisputed king of stock-car racing, with 200 career NASCAR Sprint Cup
Series wins, notched his 199th win of his career at Dover on May 20, 1984. This
achievement set him up for career win No. 200 at Daytona just weeks later.
Petty won seven NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championships during his 35-year career
spanning from 1958 to 1992 and ranks first in a variety of NASCAR records
including: all-time wins (200), races started (1,184), top-five finishes (555),
top-10 finishes (712), pole positions (126), laps completed (307,836), laps led
(52,194), races led (599) and consecutive races won (10).
On Sept. 20 at Dover, Petty will have his legacy enshrined on the Monster
Monument at Victory Plaza, presented by AAA – another supreme accomplishment by
a member of NASCAR royalty.
“The Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup” returns to the Monster Mile Sept. 19 – 21,
2008. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 800-441-RACE or visit
DoverSpeedway.com.
# # #
Dover International Speedway is owned by Dover Motorsports, Inc. (NYSE: DVD), a
leading promoter of motorsports events in the United States. DVD subsidiaries
operate tracks in three states, and present more than 500 motorsports events
each year. This includes 16 major, national events which operate under the
auspices of three of the premier sanctioning bodies in the U.S. — NASCAR, NHRA,
and IRL. Dover Motorsports, Inc. also owns and operates Gateway International
Raceway near St. Louis, Mo., Memphis Motorsports Park in Memphis, Tenn., and
Nashville Superspeedway near Nashville, Tenn.
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PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Gary Camp
Director of Public Relations
Dover International Speedway
(302) 883-6560
June 12, 2008
Jeff Gordon to appear in the Monster Mile Club on Sunday, Sept. 21 at Dover
International Speedway
DOVER, Del. — Four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon will
appear in the Monster Mile Club on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008. The Monster Mile
Club, an all-inclusive pre-race hospitality option at Dover, is consistently a
fan favorite and tickets are expected to sell quickly.
Gordon continues to be one of the most popular and successful drivers in the
sport. He captured his 14th career top-5 finish at Dover by finishing fifth in
the June 2008 event and he’s a consistent frontrunner at the Monster Mile. He’s
tied with Mark Martin for most Dover wins by an active driver with four and has
also captured three poles, with his most recent coming in June 2006.
Gordon will participate in a hosted question-and-answer session for those in
attendance in the Monster Mile Club. A ticket to the Monster Mile Club also
includes all-you-can-eat food and drinks, a trackside tour on the frontstretch
of the track as teams prepare for race day, live entertainment, a
limited-edition 40th anniversary Dover gift, a souvenir program, interactive
games and much more.
Admission to the Monster Mile Club costs $99 and can be added to any NASCAR
Sprint Cup race ticket by calling the Dover International Speedway ticket office
at 800-441-RACE or when purchasing online at DoverSpeedway.com.
The Monster Mile Club opens at 8 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 21 with a continental
breakfast. Trackside tours begin at 8:30 a.m. and the hosted question and answer
session with Jeff Gordon will follow later in the morning. An all-you-can-eat
lunch will be served at 11 a.m. prior to the start of the 400-mile NASCAR Sprint
Cup Series race is scheduled to take the green flag at 2 p.m.
NASCAR returns to the Monster Mile on Sept. 19 – 21, 2008. Dover continues to
offer event ticket insurance for all events, along with an array of ticket
options including special 3-day ticket packages, all-inclusive hospitality
packages, early buy discounts, and a variety of payment plans. To purchase
tickets or for more information, call 800-441-RACE or visit DoverSpeedway.com.
# # #
PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Gary Camp
Director of Public Relations
Dover International Speedway
(302) 883-6560
June 1, 2008
Charitable contributions raised from the May 30 – June 1, 2008 NASCAR weekend at
Dover International Speedway benefit Autism Speaks
DOVER, Del. — Three days of NASCAR action at the Monster Mile did more than
satisfy the need for speed for thousands of fans that visited Dover
International Speedway over the course of the weekend. It also proved to be a
great benefit for one very worthy cause — to the tune of $76,907.50 — with all
funds being raised to support the work and create awareness for Autism Speaks,
the nation’s leading autism advocacy organization.
Dover International Speedway and a variety of partners have brought the
organization’s message of autism awareness to millions of NASCAR fans
nationwide.
From its inclusion in the entitlement of the “Best Buy 400 benefiting Students
Clubs for Autism Speaks,” to money raised directly from event ticket sales, the
organization collected funds from many charitable donors, through several
special ways. Grammy-nominated band Emerson Drive performed a benefit concert on
Saturday night at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino. The concert was underwritten by
Heluva Good!, sponsor of the May 31, 2008 "Heluva Good!® 200" NASCAR Nationwide
Series race at the Monster Mile, and all proceeds benefited Autism Speaks and
the Autism Society of Delaware.
Long-time autism awareness advocates Joe and Shelly Galli pledged $15,625
through an online auction to win the exclusive opportunity to say "Gentleman
start your engines" prior to the start of the "Best Buy 400 benefiting Students
Clubs for Autism Speaks.” 9-year-old Camille Galli gave the command to start the
June 1 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race and the family enjoyed VIP opportunities at
the Speedway throughout the entire race weekend.
Autism Speaks puzzle pieces were painted in alternating pattern on the
start/finish line, transforming the area into a goal line. Fans are urged to
make a donation to Autism Speaks for each time their driver crosses the line.
The History Channel’s “Ice Road Truckers” program and Crown Royal also
contributed to the fundraising efforts with significant donations to the cause.
Tissot, another track partner, painted Autism Speaks puzzle pieces on their
signage at the start/finish line as well to help raise awareness.
Dover International Speedway donated a portion of each June 1 NASCAR Sprint Cup
Series ticket sold from May 1 to May 31, 2008 to Autism Speaks, and fans could
also donate directly to the cause on the track’s website, DoverSpeedway.com.
The NASCAR Foundation Track Walk was held on Saturday night following the
“Heluva Good! 200” NASCAR Nationwide Series race. Hundreds of race fans joined
several NASCAR drivers and personalities in a charitable walk that benefited
numerous driver charities, including the Autism Society of Delaware.
Although the checkered flag will soon fly on the race weekend, fans can still
contribute to Autism Speaks via by visiting DoverSpeedway.com and clicking on
the “Help Us Help Autism Speaks” link.
NASCAR action returns to the Monster Mile Sept. 19-21, 2008. For more
information, or to purchase tickets, call 800-441-RACE or visit
DoverSpeedway.com.
# # #
PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Gary Camp
Director of Public Relations
Dover International Speedway
(302) 883-6560
May 28, 2008
NASCAR on FOX talent to host Emerson Drive benefit concert on Saturday, May 31
at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino
DOVER, Del. — Race fans get to see them every weekend on television with FOX’s
live coverage of NASCAR events, and this Saturday night fans will get to see the
on-air stars from NASCAR on FOX live in person at the Emerson Drive benefit
concert on Saturday, May 31 at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino.
The broadcast team of Darrell Waltrip, Larry McReynolds and Mike Joy will be
joined by fellow reporters Jeff Hammond, Matt Yocum, Krista Voda, Steve Byrnes,
Dick Bergeron and Chris Myers to kickoff the benefit concert, presented by
Heluva Good!®. Mark Roithmayr, president of Autism Speaks, the nation’s leading
autism advocacy organization, will introduce the Grammy-nominated band as they
take the stage. All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit Autism Speaks and
the Autism Society of Delaware.
Tickets are now on sale for the concert and can be purchased by calling
800-711-5882, or online at DoverDowns.com. Tickets are priced from $25 to $35.
Doors open at 7 p.m., and the concert begins at 8 p.m.
Emerson Drive’s current album, Countrified (Midas Records, Fall 2006), garnered
their first No. 1 hit song, the Grammy-nominated “Moments.” Emerson Drive was
also nominated for this year’s Academy of Country Music Awards (ACM) Top Vocal
Group of the Year and Song of the Year (also for “Moments”).
The band will also perform the National Anthem prior to the start of the "Best
Buy 400 benefiting Student Clubs for Autism Speaks" NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
race on Sunday, June 1, 2008.
Tickets are still available for the June 1 “Best Buy 400 benefiting Student
Clubs for Autism Speaks” NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, the May 31 “Heluva
Good!® 200” NASCAR Nationwide Series race and the May 30 “AAA Insurance 200”
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Dover International Speedway.
To purchase tickets, or for more information, call 800-441-RACE or visit
DoverSpeedway.com.
# # #
Dover media conference call transcript
Michael McDowell, No. 00 Microsoft Small Business Specialist Toyota Camry
Ty Norris, Vice President and General Manager, Michael Waltrip Racing
May 23, 2008, 1 p.m.
Gary Camp, Dover International Speedway: Thank you all for joining us. Michael
has some news that he’d like to announce today. Michael do you want to just
start things off by talking about that?
Michael McDowell, No. 00 Microsoft Small Business Specialist Toyota Camry for
Michael Waltrip Racing: Well, starting in Dover, we’ve partnered up with
Microsoft Small Businesses, which is obviously a huge honor to be partnered up
with Microsoft and it’s going to be our first race where we have them on. We’ve
had them on as an associate the past few races so we’re real excited about that
going into Dover. It’s going to be my first time there so I’ve talked to other
drivers and they tell me how great it is and how cool it is dropping into Turn 1
where the bowl is. So I can’t wait to take the Microsoft car there.
Q: Other than talking to the other drivers, is there anything else you’ve been
doing to prepare, a simulator or anything, to get ready for Dover?
McDowell: I do. I try to do as much simulation as I can. It’s one of those
things that’s a tool that I think has really helped me in the past. But I spend
a lot of time around that. This week I’ve been testing a bunch, but I tried to
squeeze in as much simulation as I could. I can’t wait to get out there though
and get it going.
Q: What do you think about concrete tracks? Like them? Dislike them?
McDowell: No, I like them. There’s a lot of reasons why I like them. Usually
they have a lot of grip and usually they’re not sensitive to temperature as much
as asphalt which usually helps you stay pretty consistent and helps you work on
your car. It helps you from a driver’s standpoint because it helps you
constantly improve on everything and you’re not having to change as much. So I
like concrete tracks. I’ve some good success on them before and I think that’s
going to be a lot of fun for us.
Q: Talk a little about your season to date so far?
McDowell: Well, it’s tough and we knew it was going to be tough coming into it
being a rookie in the Sprint cup series, not having a lot of experience and not
running a lot of Nationwide races or truck races, but I think it’s been going
well. We’re in the top-35 in points which is a big deal for us and we’re staying
there. We keep improving every week and that’s what’s important. Michael Waltrip
Racing is getting better and better, and during that process I’m getting better
too. By no means have we hit our plateau and we’re just going to keep getting
better and better every weekend. As my confidence builds and the teams
confidence builds I think we’re going to be challenging for wins in the near
future.
Ty Norris, Vice President and General Manager, Michael Waltrip Racing: Hey Gary
this is Ty. Let me jump in here on that subject if you don’t mind. When we
recognized Michael last year in the ARCA series, we had a young man who was
driving for us for a team Eddie Sharp Racing. We had not met Michael at the
time, we were watching his teammate. His teammate was doing very well but at the
same time, McDowell was winning poles, races, and leading all the laps. We
thought he was a 35-year-old veteran so when we met him and he just turned 22,
and it was his first year in stock cars, so that’s what attracted us to him. We
wanted him in our camp, and we wanted him right away. We wanted to have him and
get him signed up with our company long term. The issue that came up was
typically that you go from ARCA to truck racing or Nationwide racing. You might
dabble a little in Sprint or Nextel cup. The problem we had was that the only
seat we had available was a Sprint Cup car so it was a bit unfair to take
Michael from all the success that he’d had and he has never been in a series
where he hasn’t dominated in. To take him straight from ARCA to a Sprint Cup car
without the ability to run any Nationwide or truck races. What people have to
remember is that we made the giant leap from ARCA to Sprint Cup without any
Nationwide races or truck races. Michael, how many tracks have you been to that
you’ve actually seen before?
McDowell: Two. Martinsville and Texas.
Norris: He’s actually seen those places. Not only have we taken him into a
company that is in its only its second year, we’re taking him to tracks he’s
never even seen before except for on a simulator. And expecting him to outrun
guys that have been in the series a long time and have a lot of experience. If
you look at all the factors, I think he’s been one of the stories of the year
and runs like he can run.
Q: Well Ty, while we have you, you’re born in South Carolina, but spent a lot of
time in Smyrna, Delaware and went to Delaware State right across the street
here, worked at the News Journal. Talk a little bit about your fond memories
here at the Speedway.
Norris: Well my memory is of asphalt and no access with no walkover bridge. My
first memory was in 1978, we moved to Dover, Delaware and my dad got a job
transfer from South Carolina. It happened at the end of May, and we had a hotel
room and we had been staying in a hotel for about 2 weeks as he was trying to
find a place to live. We got kicked out of the hotel because the races were
coming to town. My family had followed racing since I was born, as far as my Dad
used to do some dirt track stuff, but we got kicked out of the hotel, so I hated
racing. We were on the street and fortunately we found a little apartment to
live in for awhile but they kicked us out of the hotel. But that incident almost
made my Dad say ‘Forget Dover, Delaware, I’m going back to South Carolina’ where
my family is from. It was sort of a sour taste at first. But because we had
grown up around racing, when I first started working for the News Journal I was
working for the Dover bureau, I was working for gentlemen named Gene Bryson and
Jack Ireland. I went to work for those guys, I was 19 years old, a sophomore at
Del. State and they asked if anyone knew anything about NASCAR. I raised my hand
and they let me be the infield reporter for the race. I was like ‘I’m 19 and
this is cool.' Well, I didn’t realize that when they put you in the infield, you
are in the infield until the 500 miles are over. I remember sitting there for
about 7 hours with no access to get out, no concessions in the infield at the
time. We were stuck. But I had the time of my life so I love going to Dover now.
The first time I went there as team manager was 1995 with Kyle Petty and we won
the race. Then I went back as the GM of Dale Earnhardt Inc. and we won races
with Dale Jr. and it seemed like oddly enough last year Michael Waltrip after
the Daytona 500 was Dover and it seemed like our teams had always run well there
and it's nice to go home and see my friends, sister, nephew and have a little
bit of success to go with it.
Q: Excellent. Most importantly, did you catch the Delaware State versus Delaware
football game?
Norris: I did not. I saw the final score. My friends who were coaching a long
time ago, Purzycki and Coach Collick, I think they could have taken on Delaware
at the time but I don’t know. From what I can see from the score, it was a
pretty lopsided game.
Q: I’ll turn it over to the media then and answer their questions. If you could
please state your name and affiliation.
Andy Harris (WDSD-FM): Michael, how would you characterize the difference
between ARCA cars and the COT? An amazing learning curve or what?
McDowell: It absolutely is. The difference between the cars is that the ARCA car
is exactly like the Nextel cup car previous to the COT, other than the tires and
the rear spoiler. The transition this year with the tracks, the cars, the
schedule, you know just how much more difficult the cup series is and also
learning the new car. The COT has a lot of characteristics that are a little bit
different. It’s got a lot less down force. It’s one of those things where it
takes a lot of confidence to drive one of these cars. And that’s what I’m
ramping up, every week we get better and better and the confidence is growing. I
think the new car is great. Obviously in Texas we had a big wreck and were able
to walk away from that so that’s amazing. So the safety features on the car are
really great. That’s a big plus to it too. As our team gets more acclimated to
the car and I do as well I think everything is going to come together quite
nicely.
Dwight Drum (Racetake.com): Is every race a roller coaster ride with emotions
and sensations or is it getting routine for you after the variety of experience
you’ve had?
McDowell: Well you know it’s very busy so you do get into a routine, but it is
very difficult. I put a lot of pressure on myself and I try and get better every
weekend and sometimes we can really well and other weekends we struggle. That
can either be me getting used to the car or making mistakes or the car not being
quite what we need. It’s definitely very busy so you have to find a routine. The
great thing I think is the running every week which really helps me because
you’re not finding that period when you’re sitting around pondering what’s going
to happen next. You’re pretty much going to come home Sunday night or Monday. I
do a lot of testing for Michael Waltrip Racing so Tuesday or Wednesday I’m
typically testing somewhere in Kentucky or wherever it might be. Then on
Thursday I’m back at the racetrack. I stay pretty busy. I stay in the car a lot
which helps a lot with my routine. The biggest thing is trying to keep my
composure with the ups and the downs and I know that there are going to be a lot
of ups and downs.
Q: Do you feel the ability to adjust and adapt that every driver has to have? Do
you think that’s a gut skill that you have?
McDowell: Well definitely. I think that these guys are great in the cup series.
They’re all great. And it’s one of those things that when you’re a fan and
you’re watching it and you see a guy run a 40 and they go ‘man I know I can do
better than that.' And you realize that the guy running last is probably capable
in winning in any other series. It’s just amazing how great the quality is in
the series and how good the drivers are. There are a few drivers that can jump
from road racing to sports cars, to indy cars to be able to do all those
transitions that I think is a unique skill. It’s really cool like Tony Stewart
and Jimmie Johnson. There are a handful of other guys who can do it but this is
the best series in the world with the best drivers and just to be a part of it
is a pretty big honor for me.
Art Elsner (WXCY-FM): What goals have you set for yourself this year?
McDowell: Well there’s a lot of goals. The No. 1 goal is to gain experience and
get better every weekend and not hit that kind of plateau. Right now we’ve been
doing that. No. 2 goal is to finish as many laps as we can. I think we can
contend for rookie of the year. I know we’re a little behind because we didn’t
do that first five races. But I really do think that by the end of the year when
we hit our stride and I get more comfortable and our cars are getting better,
everything is just gelling. I really think we can challenge for rookie of the
year and I think that would just be awesome.
Q: What finish are you looking for this week?
McDowell: Well it’s tough. I don’t really set a number you know. The biggest
thing for me when I go out there, yesterday we had a tough qualifying, but just
rock hard the whole time and get everything I can out of the car and try to stay
on the lead lap. Usually if you do that you’re going to ride in the top-20,
top-25. For us realistically, anywhere between 15 and 25 is about where we’re
at. I think we keep improving on that we’ll be able to run in the top 15.
Q: Ty, it’s Gary from Dover again. Maybe talk a little big about the progression
of Michael Waltrip Racing. How you guys have progressed from when you opened the
doors the first time.
Norris: Well we feel like the little fillie when you come out and you have those
shaky legs for a long time and that’s where we were. Our first 12 months in
existence were a historic year. It was a storybook year, but unfortunately it
was a horror and not a good one. We really got behind and couldn’t get back up
but we knew a little going into the season that we were behind. Our whole being
was to keep our hands down and stay positive and remember that we did join this
for 100-yard dash. We’re in it for the marathon. If we were able to survive and
learn from all the things that happened when we first got going so we set a
goal. And it was not an extraordinary goal for a company that’s been together
for 20 years but for a company that has been together for 12 months, it was fair
to have all three of our cars in the top 35 in points and locked in. That meant
that all three of our cars had to race our way in to a locked in position. We
were able to do that so we accomplished goal No. 1. Our next goal is to Michael
McDowell running for Rookie of the Year and to get one of our other two teams to
be top-20 in points. I know it’s a lofty goal but we have improved in dog years.
We didn’t have time to do it from an infant to an adolescent. We had time to do
a chunk at a time and I think the results on the track. People can go, 'You
still have the Hendricks, Gibbs, and Rousch organization still winning races'
and that’s ok. But when we’re 20 years old, people are going to say the Waltrip
organization has been around for 20 years and they are winning a lot of races
and looking for championships. Our goal is no different. We’ve improved by
enormous percentages that some people from the grandstands can’t see because
they weren’t here when we started. They weren’t here when we had to go to
Daytona in 2007. They weren’t here when we went to Dover in 2007 compared to
where we are today. We go with a lot more experience and intelligent people on
the engineering side and certainly with a lot higher expectations than when we
went last year.
Q: Ty, you’ve mentioned the same qualities in Michael. Do you feel all champions
have the same qualities and abilities and do you see some of them in Michael?
Norris: Absolutely. I been fortunate through my career to be exposed to people
you’ve never heard of until years later. Guys like Dale Jr. when he was 13 when
he was lying on the coach and his Dad was throwing him out of the room to the
first time he got in the car. To Ryan Newman when he first came in to our office
when he was running USAC and no one had ever heard of him. To Kyle Busch when we
first met him when he was 16 or 17 years old. When McDowell walked in our office
last summer and he was working on his ARCA car actually, there’s so much
confidence. There’s a history of success and the history is basically everything
you’ve ever done you’ve been successful in and there hasn’t been a struggle. It
hasn’t been a three-to-four-year process to get up and running. Everything he
was in he won and not only won but in most cases dominated. So few people can
walk in with that kind of resume and that kind of confidence. Michael will tell
you, he told me last summer I’d like to get into one of these races because I
know I can make the races and finish in the top-15 or 20. I kind of laughed and
said I like that you have that kind of confidence but this is pretty tough. But
the cool thing about it was that he had that confidence. You can see it about
him when he gets behind the wheel, you’re ok. And that’s what we’ve tried to do
with Michael. Now, it’s a lot like the McDonald’s all-star basketball players.
They’ve always been the best in their age and teams. They’ll go to college and
probably be the best players on that team. You go to the NBA, they’re the 8th ,
9th, or all they’ll be is a role player where they’ll just rebound. What I try
to tell Michael is that you’re at the highest level with nothing to prove.
You’re not expected to win the pole and finish in the top-5 and compete for the
win every week. Some day you will how about give yourself a little bit of a
break. You’ve never seen these race tracks. You’ve never seen these cars. Our
company is certainly gaining on it but we’re not blazing the trail we need to be
lazing. But he’s never seen these race tracks but he still has the confidence.
When you get to this level, there is a reason why he got this opportunity. He
deserves it and I’d like to see some more of that confidence that we saw almost
a year ago. Not get too beat up by the level of the competition.
Q: Ty, when you compare this year to last year, is it relief? Is it happy with
the accomplishments? How does it feel?
Norris: There are some certainly some satisfaction in the progression. But there
is more pressure as we move forward because of the financial pressure behind
what it takes to run these teams. The never ending search for sponsorships
dollars. As we continue to make our on track product better, we still have to
make our progression known because so many people remember how we came out of
the gate because we’ve done a nice job of telling our story of who we are today.
But I don’t know at any point anyone has stopped and said how great we are. I
think what we’ve done is sat back and said, 'Now we are where we should have
been 6 or 7 months ago.' We’re starting to catch up but now we’re looking behind
us and asking ourselves how can we get into the top-35. We’ve got to start
looking forward and asking ourselves how we become a top-20 team? If you don’t
look forward you’ll never get there. So the feeling of satisfaction, maybe after
we went to Martinsville, all three of our cars we locked in, it was an
incredible difference. Incredible feelings knowing that when you walk in there,
you’re past the enormous pressure you face on Friday. However, that quickly goes
away, now as you start looking forward to move into the top-20 all you do is
turn the wick up on the work hours again.
Martin Frank (The News Journal): How the economy has affected racing teams in
general and especially yours?
Norris: I think I’d be naďve to think it hasn’t affected us in some way shape or
form. Dominos last year on some of their core products went up so high, that
Dominos saw a decrease in their sales about four or five straight quarters,
which is something they haven’t seen in years. It made them scale back in their
marketing dollars so that effected us. The price of petroleum, oil, and
gasoline. You have to remember we move about 75 people a week and just in one
line item, not budgeted, our fuel costs have increased $400,000 this year. When
you start talking a $400,000 unexpected increase in expense. And you have a
decrease in revenue because some of the sponsors were not able to maintain the
marketing dollars they spend, the gap starts to widen in the wrong direction. As
far as being able to be in front of new sponsors and new opportunities to go
forward, a lot of people are waiting to see what happens in the upcoming
election. There are probably six or seven teams that are all searching and
talking to the same companies. So it’s not just the economy but it also rests on
the election that I think has made it a very difficult time to be in the
marketplace.
Q: How do you compensate?
Norris: Run good. And we joke about it too, but you say what kind of
presentation can we put together and what kind of marketing or promotional
proposal can we put together? We can put the executive and qualify it but we
need to run better. Ultimately we have to get to where our performance on the
track is respectable and its definitely turning in that direction so that’s made
us happy. We sat on the outside pole at the Daytona 500 with Michael Waltrip and
I think when we go who may forget, and they’ll be reminded how good Michael
McDowell is in a road course park. I think we’ll really open some eyes. This is
a little bit bold but my gut feeling says that Michael Waltrip Racing can win
two races before Daytona. I think we can go to Sonoma and run well enough. I
know Michael can take a good racecar and running up front. And I think we’ll go
to Daytona and have a shot at winning that race as we did before. That would
just be incredible game changes for us. The economy might loosen up if we win a
couple races.
Camp: Any other questions for Ty or Michael? Alright, well thank you all for
joining us on this call and we’ll see you all soon in Dover.
# # #
|
Dover media conference call
transcript
Kyle Busch, No. 51 Billy Ballew Motorsports
May 21, 2008, 11:30 a.m.
Gary Camp, Dover International Speedway: Thanks for joining us for this
teleconference today to talk a little bit about the upcoming Dover International
Speedway race weekend. Kyle, you’re going to be a busy man here in Dover. Talk a
little bit about that. Three series, three races in three days.
Kyle Busch, No. 51 Billy Ballew Motorsports: Well it’s pretty much common in
Dover. I’ve done that the past couple years and I’m looking forward to doing
that again. This year we’ve got Toyota everything. So its got a pretty good
truck program and we were pretty fast at Lowe’s Motor Speedway before we got
caught up in a wreck, but I feel like we can go to Dover and carry a run as we
did there in the past and go out there and try and win that thing. And then the
Nationwide stuff, I’ll be in the Braun car for the No. 32 team and hopefully
have a good day with that thing and see what the new restrictor plate is going
to be like for the Nationwide stuff and get back on with our COT on the Cup
side. So looking forward to three great days of racing.
Camp: Last year at Dover the trucks actually ran faster than the Cup cars. Do
you expect the same this weekend?
Busch: I don’t think it will be that way this year. The Nationwide cars might be
quicker, but it’ll probably be close. Since they put the restrictors on the
Nationwide and on the Trucks they’ve sort of slowed them things down in order to
keep the Cup cars faster. But the Cup cars don’t have the corner speed that the
trucks and the Nationwide cars do, so it definitely is a whole new game in all
three.
Camp: How do you approach a 200-mile race here versus a 400-mile race?
Busch: Well the 200-mile race isn’t too bad and neither is the 400, but it tends
to get pretty long on the 400-lap race because you’ve got so much going on and
you’ve got to run almost the same line every single lap. At least I do. I don’t
tend to be successful when I move around the racetrack at Dover or anytime I
move off that bottom white line of the race track. I seem to fall behind a
little bit, so it’s kind of tough sometimes.
Camp: Friday you have your Nationwide practice, then you qualify for the trucks
in the Friday morning, then you practice in a Cup car. Then you practice in a
Nationwide car. Then you have Cup qualifying in the afternoon, and then the
Truck race. How do you do all that? How do you keep it all straight?
Busch: Well, you try to find time to eat, but besides that, it’s not that bad.
You know, I’ve been pretty used to it going back and forth and switching between
all three, you just have to remember what you’re marks are in each different
vehicle. You got to remember where you brake, you got to remember where you gas,
you got to remember how much brake and everything. It’s just a matter of having
a good memory I guess, which I don’t have a very good memory.
Camp: I’ll turn it over to the media. Any questions from the media? If you could
state your name and affiliation.
Sean Wood, San Antonio Express News: I’ve got a question more on the
relationship with Toyota. You’ve become the Toyota banner carrier, and you’ve
given Toyota success this year in the Sprint Cup. Do you feel any pressure from
Toyota in regards to your performance on the track and also have you heard from
them at all about supposedly being the most hated man in NASCAR?
Busch: Well, no I don’t really hear much from the Toyota folks as far as
carrying their banner or doing anything else for them. Actually we’re having a
great relationship and we’ve been doing everything we’re supposed to do, which
is to go out there and win races and be competitive and be fast. Over the winter
time, I’ve switched over my Late Model team from the Chevrolet stuff to the
Toyota stuff and the truck stuff is also switched over, and of course, all of
Joe Gibbs Racing, so it’s been a long winter but besides that it’s going pretty
well. And no, they haven’t said anything as far as being the most hated guy in
NASCAR. I don’t think that’s necessarily fair. I think it’s just for me. I’m out
there to do a job, and my job is to win races.
Wood: Thank you very much.
Bill Fleischman, Philadelphia Daily News: Talk a little bit about how you’ve had
so much success in all three series. Does it surprise you a little bit? I mean,
it’s pretty remarkable what you’re doing.
Busch: I wouldn’t say it’s surprising. I mean I’m definitely grateful that we’ve
been as successful as we have been in all three series, but you know, anything
can change at any time so we’ve just got to keep it going. We’ve had some good
looks on everything so far, and this past weekend we didn’t have very much luck,
so you kind of win some and lose some. This past weekend we lost a couple and we
feel like there were a few great wins we could have had in the truck and Cup,
but sometimes stuff happens. We’ll take the good with the bad and hopefully more
good than bad.
Andy Harris, Clear Channel Delaware: When it comes to racing the trucks, are the
trucks more similar to Nationwide cars or Cup cars, or are they just totally
different?
Busch: All of them are pretty much totally different. The Nationwide and the
trucks are kind of the same. I guess they’re the closest. Because you can almost
run the trucks wide open everywhere, not everywhere, but at the big tracks. And
then the Nationwide cars, you run a lot of throttle time with those cars and the
Cup cars you don’t have a whole lot of throttle time through the corners, so you
kind of struggle a little bit there to get the cars through the corner fastest
with the limited amount of travel in them. We’re working on that stuff. You know
the driving between the truck and Nationwide cars, like I said, are probably
much similar.
Josh Stewart, Long Island Press: It seems like a lot of the guys, the drivers
who are more aggressive and speak their minds, get casts as villains, and then
some guys who are more agreeable with the media and give a little more space on
the track, they get dismissed as being the corporate sell-out type, or some fans
will tell drivers they are. Do you as drivers feel that you can’t win as far as
the fans are concerned, as far as they are going to pigeon hole you one way or
the other?
Busch: I never won when I first got here so to me it doesn’t really matter. I
just go out there and do my job, which is to win races.
Rick Minter, Atlanta Journal-Constitution: The media and the fans don’t hear a
lot about Steve Addington. Can you just tell us what he’s like and what we don’t
know about him?
Busch: He’s a real laid back dude who cares a lot about his racing. Steve has
really been a lot of great help to me. He’s been a father-type figure per say.
It’s kind of like Kurt and Jimmy Fenning were really good together when they
ran, and you know, Steve has the experience. He has made my job easier and makes
us get a long better, so it’s definitely pretty cool to have Steve. Like I said,
he’s pretty laid back and cares a lot about what he does and how it’s done. He
likes to win races just like the rest of us.
Minter: Thanks.
Carlos Mendez, Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Running three races in three days must
take a physical demand on your body. What do you do to prepare? Do you workout?
Do you try to eat right? What’s your routine like? Is it year round?
Busch: It’s pretty much year round and I try to do what I can to stay healthy to
keep up on the workout regiment and stuff. Everyday I’m home I normally work out
two hours, whether it’s in the morning or at night. I try to eat as healthy as I
can just trying to stay fit. In all that respect, for me it’s not too demanding
on the body. There was a time last year where we ran three weekends in a row I
think with the three races, and so it wasn’t too bad, I was ok actually. Mondays
and Tuesdays getting back up I feel pretty good so I guess it’s working.
Dwight Drum, Racetake.com: You’ve had the benefit of being around champions like
your brother, Jeff (Gordon), Jimmie (Johnson), Tony (Stewart). How do you think
they have helped you as compared to an aspiring young guy in ARCA who will never
get that opportunity?
Busch: Well I’d say being able to be around champions in general anytime is
obviously a great help. For me to work with as many as I’ve worked with and to
be associated with all of them that I’ve been with it’s definitely pretty cool.
To learn some of the things that they’ve been able to teach me and tell me,
on-track stuff more so than off-track stuff, but some off-track stuff, just
knowing how busy you are when you’re a champion. I really just admire those guys
when they are champions in the following years for how good they still run and
how much stuff they have to do. Appearance wise for NASCAR, for Sprint, for
whomever it might be, they have to go out and do stuff for especially their own
sponsors, so there are a lot of demands that are out there for them.
Drum: Do you see any common traits that they have that you have also?
Busch: Well, I mean, they are all pretty fast on the racetrack, but you know
just how driven we are and wanting to be as good and as successful as we can
possibly be.
Drum: Thank you and good luck.
Mendez: Can you walk me through your three days, as far as how you get through
your race, practices, and everything like that?
Busch: Well, I’ve got some pretty good help. I’ve got a guy that works with me
to get me back and forth and keeps my schedule so I know what I’m doing, because
I don’t have any clue. But Thursday, we’ll probably fly in Thursday morning. I
think we have a practice from 1 p.m., or 2 p.m. or 3 p.m., or something like
that, for a couple hours for the truck stuff on Thursday. Then Friday we’ve got
practice at 8 or 9 o’clock in the morning for the Nationwide stuff, and then
qualifying for the trucks, and then we go into Cup practice for a couple hours.
Then we’ll qualify the Cup cars and then I think we practice the Nationwide
stuff again for the second and final practice. Then we’ll get into the truck
race, so all of that’s on Friday. Then Saturday, we’ve got Cup practices in the
morning time and then I’ve got the Nationwide race. Then Sunday we’ve got the
Cup race. It’s a pretty busy schedule and not knowing when all my appearances
are yet, and stuff like that, but it will fill up even more.
Mendez: Do you feel like a kid in a candy store with all this racing you’ve got
going on?
Busch: The on-track stuff is good. I like doing the on-track stuff. I mean the
off-track stuff is part of it and what not. But I feel more at home and in my
realm when I’m out there on the race track.
Fleischman: You’re having a much more successful season than your brother Kurt.
Does that put any strain on the relationship and how much do you guys talk?
Busch: Well I would say that Kurt, who’s a champion, is struggling I guess. He
moved scenes and last year they sort of picked it up and got going with their
mile-and-a-half stuff, and their Pocono and Indy stuff. They were really really
fast but you know this year with the full-time COT, they are just struggling.
They haven’t figured it out and I’d say it’s not necessarily their driver. I’d
say its got a lot to do with the team and the engineers and stuff. Having them
get better and get the cars better and stuff. I know Kurt is a champion and I
know he’s a great driver, and for him to be struggling, it’s kind of sad to say,
but that’s what’s happening right now. I don’t know what to tell him that I
could tell him in order to fix it, but I’m sure those guys are working on it and
working on it hard. We talked a little bit but you know it’s more off-track
stuff than on-track really.
George Welty, Carroll County Times: You’re in the same equipment in the Cup
series and Truck Series, but in the Nationwide Series you’re in different cars
every week and different crew chiefs. How much of a difference is it going back
and forth?
Busch: There’s a little bit of a difference there. I work really well with Dave
Rogers and with Jason Ratcliff at Gibbs, and then also Trent Owens and also Todd
Braun’s group over there, and Todd Lohse who is going to be my crew chief this
weekend, cause we’ve got three entries going into the Nationwide race. There are
some crew chiefs I’ve worked with on that side but it’s pretty good. You just
have to talk to them and tell them as much as you can and tell them what the car
is doing and what you need in the car. We picked up a lot of stuff with the
Charlotte test there. When I was in the Braun car I wasn’t quite happy with it
and I just kept telling them what I needed, and what I felt wasn’t quite right,
and we made some gains on it and got it a lot better.
Camp: Kyle what do you think about Joey Logano making his debut on Saturday in
that No. 20 car?
Busch: I’m looking forward to it. I think he’s a great talent. I think he’s got
a lot of stuff going for him. I think Denny’s got a great shot at winning again
at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in that car, so if that happens it’ll be something like
8 in a row for the Gibbs team. He’ll have a lot to live up to, but I told him he
doesn’t have to go out there and win every race like we are. He’s just got to go
out there and learn, and pace himself, and be competitive and fast. You know
that’s the biggest thing he’s got to do and not put yourself in the situations
that are going to get you wrecked. I think he’ll be fine. I think he’ll do well.
He ran there last year, he’s won in the Busch East Series, so I feel like if he
learns to adapt to these radial tires then he’ll be really good.
Mendez: How long do you think you’ll continue to try and race as much as you
can?
Busch: Probably a couple more years at least I guess. You know probably more
than two, but you know I’m trying to get the truck stuff developed into a good
enough, strong enough team where we’ve got some equipment behind us to get
drivers through there and using it as a proving ground for some drivers. If
Toyota wants to use it or if I want to use it or whatever, it helps me work out.
I feel like we’ve got a pretty good baseline team there now and we’re just
trying to get a sponsorship deal going there now and sign a couple-year deal to
where we could do that and have a good operation. As far as the Nationwide
stuff, they’re going to the new car and that will bring it more back to the
similarities between those cars and the Cup cars, going back and forth between
Saturday and Sunday just to try and learn what’s going on in the race track. I
feel like I’m on my best when I run the three different series, just getting as
much track time as I can, and so until I feel like its not as beneficial as it
is now then I’ll probably change.
Wood: You say you have a great relationship with Toyota. What about that
relationship makes it great?
Busch: I think just the willingness they give me to get me in stuff. I talk to
them about my Late Model program and they’re like ‘Yeah, what can we do to help
you out? And let’s make it a Toyota deal!’ So now they’re all on top of that.
I’m building a new shop and they want to know what they can do with the new shop
and stuff, so it’s just neat how we’re working together. It’s sort of like Kasey
Kahne and his Sprint Car stuff where he’s got Mopar standing behind him, and
Tony Stewart has GM standing behind him for his open wheel stuff. I’ve got
Toyota who wants to stand behind me for my little racing programs that I’ve got
going on. It’s definitely a pretty neat deal to work with those guys and develop
relationships and have them on your side.
Rock Hoffman, WRDV Radio: You’ve won eight races through the three series so far
this year so you’ve taken home a lot of trophies. Where would picking up a
monster trophy rate?
Busch: It’d be pretty cool. I’ve won at Dover before in the Truck Series but
they didn’t have the monster trophy there yet, so I didn’t get to take home that
one. But it’d be pretty cool. I think we’ve got a great shot in all three
series’ to try and take home one and we’ll see how it goes. But I feel like the
Cup race for me there has always been a great race. I think I’ve finished in the
top-5 in all but one of my races and I feel like it’s a pretty good track for
me. I like it a lot and the trucks are definitely going to be a good show too,
to try and go out there and win in that thing too, and just keep the streak
going.
Camp: Kyle, thank you very much. We’ll see you very soon in Dover.
Busch: Alright guys. Best of luck and I’ll see you next weekend.
# # #
PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Lisa Butler
Public Relations Specialist
Dover Downs Hotel & Casino
(302) 857-3725
May 19, 2008
NASCAR’s Bobby Labonte to appear on Dover Downs is Cooking™
DOVER, Del. — Race fans know NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Bobby Labonte, of
the No. 43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge for Petty Enterprises, as a veteran on
the racetrack. On Friday, May 30, Dover Downs Hotel & Casino will offer fans an
opportunity to witness Labonte’s culinary chops when he appears live on the
Dover Downs is Cooking studio set at 7 p.m. in the Rollins Center. Dover Downs
is Cooking, the half-hour television cooking show featuring chef Fred Bohn, will
be taped for future broadcast and DVD recording. Tickets for the live taping may
be purchased for $10 by contacting VIP Services at 800-711-5882.
“Our special race weekend tapings provide a unique opportunity for visiting race
fans to see NASCAR drivers in an environment completely outside their typical
realm,” said George Fiorile, vice president and general manager of Hotel
Operations. “Bobby Labonte joins an amazing group of celebrities who have
appeared before him on the Dover Downs is Cooking set. These NASCAR shows have
become huge fan favorites and include some of the best footage and surprising
off-the-cuff candor by these drivers.”
Now in his third season with Petty Enterprises, Labonte has earned 11 top-10
finishes in the car that racing legend Richard Petty maneuvered to seven Cup
titles. In 11 starts this season, Labonte has piloted the No. 43 Dodge,
sponsored by General Mills, to 19th in the NASCAR Sprint Cup point standings.
Labonte entered his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Dover on June 2,
1991. His career at Dover includes 31 starts, three pole positions and a win in
the June 1999 “MBNA Platinum 400” NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race. Labonte’s first
championship came in 2000, when he posted four wins and 19 top-5 finishes for
Joe Gibbs Racing that season. Overall, Labonte has 21 career wins and 26 poles,
113 top-5 and 195 top-10 finishes.
With the expert guidance of Chef Fred Bohn, Dover Downs is Cooking has featured
celebrity guest chefs including Sinbad, Herschel Walker, Fred Stokes, Diamond
Rio, Tom Jones, Creedence Clearwater Revisited, Paul Anka, Hot Apple Pie, Ed
McMahon, crews from Discovery Channel’s “Deadliest Catch” and NASCAR drivers
Kasey Kahne, Michael Waltrip, Sterling Marlin and Jamie McMurray.
Tickets for the Friday, May 30 taping with Bobby Labonte are $10 for general
admission seating and may be purchased by contacting VIP Services at
800-711-5882. For information on how to purchase DVD cookbooks and to download
free recipes, visit www.doverdowns.com.
# # #
About Dover Downs Hotel & Casino®
Owned by Dover Downs Gaming and Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: DDE), Dover Downs
Hotel & Casino is a premier gaming and entertainment destination in the
Mid-Atlantic region featuring a 97,000-square-foot casino (open 24 hours except
Sundays 6 a.m. to noon), more than 2,700 slots and multiplayer table games, five
full-menu restaurants, two eateries, five bar/lounges, and a luxurious 500-room,
AAA-rated Four Diamond hotel with 35,000 sq. ft. of meeting and convention
space. The Company’s 68,000-sq.-ft. casino expansion plan is projected for
completion by summer 2008 and includes space for 500 new slots, three
restaurants including Public House, Doc Magrogan’s Oyster House and Marabella’s,
retail shops including Fashions of The Colonnade, Swarovski, Godiva Chocolatier
and The Colonnade Marketplace, and a nightclub called the Fire & Ice Lounge at
Dover Downs Hotel & Casino. For more information, please visit
www.doverdowns.com.
About Dover International Speedway®
Dover International Speedway is owned by Dover Motorsports, Inc. (NYSE: DVD), a
leading promoter of motorsports events in the United States. DVD subsidiaries
operate tracks in three states, and present more than 500 motorsports events
each year. This includes 16 major, national events which operate under the
auspices of three of the premier sanctioning bodies in the U.S. — NASCAR, NHRA,
and IRL. Dover Motorsports, Inc. also owns and operates Gateway International
Raceway near St. Louis, Mo., Memphis Motorsports Park in Memphis, Tenn., and
Nashville Superspeedway near Nashville, Tenn.
PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Gary Camp
Director of Public Relations
Dover International Speedway
(302) 883-6560
May 14, 2008
(L to R) Dover Motorsports, Inc.
President and CEO Denis McGlynn, Delaware Governor Ruth Ann Minner, NASCAR
driver Jeff Gordon, Dover Mayor Carleton Carey Sr. and AAA-Mid Atlantic
President and COO Donald Gagnon unveil the marquee plaque on the Monster
Monument. Credit Dover Motorsports.
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jeff Gordon addresses an
assembled crowd of dignitaries and race fans at Dover International Speedway on
Wednesday as part of the Monster Monument dedication ceremony. Credit Dover
Motorsports.
Jeff Gordon visits Dover International Speedway to dedicate the Monster Monument
at Victory Plaza, presented by AAA
DOVER, Del. — Just days before the May 30 – June 1, 2008 race weekend at Dover
International Speedway, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jeff Gordon visited the
Monster Mile on Wednesday afternoon to participate in a dedication ceremony for
the new 46-foot Monster Monument at Victory Plaza, presented by AAA.
Joined on stage by Delaware Governor Ruth Ann Minner, Dover Mayor Carleton E.
Carey Sr., Donald Gagnon, president and COO of AAA Mid-Atlantic, and Denis
McGlynn, president and CEO of Dover Motorsports, Inc., Gordon addressed the
large crowd of over 300 people gathered together in front of the monument.
“It’s an amazing monument and it really symbolizes what this track is all about
to the drivers and the fans,” said Gordon. “The Monster Mile brings out the
monster in all of us. It’s a grueling, fast race track that is very, very tough.
“It’s also a pleasure to have my name etched on this monument four times,” said
Gordon, a four-time Dover winner referring to the plaques on the base of the
monument. “I’m hoping to add a fifth and sixth this year.”
Governor Minner spoke about what the Speedway means to both the city of Dover
and the state of Delaware. “Dover International Speedway not only offers
visitors great entertainment as a sporting destination, but also contributes to
the state and local economy,” said Minner. “This monument is in such a great
position. It’ll give visitors to the state a great opportunity to see the
monument from the highway (Route 1) when visiting Delaware.”
The dedication ceremony concluded with Gordon unveiling the marquee plaque on
the front portion of the monument’s base. The 4ft. high granite plaque includes
a laser-engraved image of the monster and briefly describes the importance of
the structure.
Following the ceremony, Gordon met with local and regional television stations
and news reporters to discuss his thoughts about the capital improvements at
Dover and the upcoming Dover race weekend. He also paused for a few moments to
greet fans in attendance and personally thank them for coming to the dedication
ceremony.
Crews at Dover will continue to work on the site of the monument and Victory
Plaza in the coming days to put the finishing touches on the structure and
surrounding areas. All construction is scheduled to be completed prior to the
May 30 – June 1, 2008 race weekend.
Tickets are still available for the June 1 “Best Buy 400 benefiting Student
Clubs for Autism Speaks” NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, the May 31 “Heluva
Good!® 200” NASCAR Nationwide Series race and the May 30 “AAA Insurance 200”
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race.
To purchase tickets, or for more information, call 800-441-RACE or visit
DoverSpeedway.com.
# # #
Dover International Speedway is owned by Dover Motorsports, Inc. (NYSE: DVD), a
leading promoter of motorsports events in the United States. DVD subsidiaries
operate tracks in three states, and present more than 500 motorsports events
each year. This includes 16 major, national events which operate under the
auspices of three of the premier sanctioning bodies in the U.S. — NASCAR, NHRA,
and IRL. Dover Motorsports, Inc. also owns and operates Gateway International
Raceway near St. Louis, Mo., Memphis Motorsports Park in Memphis, Tenn., and
Nashville Superspeedway near Nashville, Tenn.
Jeff Gordon greets fans following the dedication ceremony for the Monster Monument at Dover International Speedway. Credit Dover Motorsports.
PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Gary Camp
Director of Public Relations
Dover International Speedway
(302) 883-6560
May 14, 2008
Dover International Speedway and AAA Mid-Atlantic announce seven-year
partnership extension that includes the Monster Monument at Victory Plaza
DOVER, Del. — Dover International Speedway and AAA Mid-Atlantic announced today
a seven-year partnership extension that includes sponsorship of Dover’s new
focal point, the Monster Monument at Victory Plaza, presented by AAA. The
seven-year agreement also includes the entitlement of Dover’s annual NASCAR
Craftsman Truck Series race, the “AAA Insurance 200,” and solidifies AAA as the
Official Auto Club and Home, Life, and Automobile Insurance of Dover
International Speedway.
As presenting sponsor of the Monster Monument at Victory Plaza, AAA will have
prominent signage surrounding the 46-foot monument outside of Turn 4 at the
Speedway. Nearly five stories tall, the structure depicts Miles the Monster
bursting out of the concrete ground, carrying with him a full-scale stock car in
his right hand, and features a tribute to all Dover winners around the base of
the structure.
“We’re pleased to have AAA continue our outstanding partnership for another
seven years,” said Denis McGlynn, president and CEO of Dover Motorsports, Inc.
“AAA is a leader in the automotive, travel and financial industry and a valuable
partner for the Speedway. We’re excited to have them on board for Dover’s 40th
anniversary season with the new monument and plaza. This area is sure to be a
major attraction and photo opportunity for all visitors to the property for many
race weekends to come.”
“When AAA pioneered automobile competition more than 100 years ago, we could not
have imagined motorsports would grow into the sport it is today,” said Donald R.
Gagnon, President and Chief Operating Officer, AAA Mid-Atlantic. “This signature
landmark gives race fans something to talk about and gives Delaware another
tourism attraction in its state capitol. AAA knows that race fans will be as
excited as we are about the new Monster Monument.”
AAA Insurance has been the title sponsor of Dover’s annual NASCAR Craftsman
Truck Series race since 2006. NASCAR veterans Mark Martin and Ron Hornaday Jr.
have each hoisted a “AAA Insurance 200” monster trophy over their heads after
winning at the Monster Mile.
The new Victory Plaza features a 38-foot entrance archway and over 190,000
colorful pavers lined with clusters of flag poles. Large banners are mounted on
the poles that feature current and retired drivers commemorating Dover’s
storied, 40-year history. Also, 26 Community speakers surround the Monster
Monument and Victory Plaza area. The high-end, weatherproof speakers are used in
many major ballparks and sports venues across the country and will create an
electric atmosphere in the area all weekend long.
Victory Plaza will be the site of many attractions throughout the May 30 – June
1, 2008 weekend including free autograph sessions for ticket holders with Rusty
Wallace, Bobby Allison and Joey Logano, live music, a sand sculptor, strolling
entertainment and more. The plaza will serve as the main entrance used by race
fans staying in the various RV lots at the Speedway and general parking areas on
the east side of the facility.
Tickets are still available for the May 30 “AAA Insurance 200” NASCAR Craftsman
Truck Series race, May 31 “Heluva Good!® 200” NASCAR Nationwide Series race and
the June 1 “Best Buy 400 benefiting Student Clubs for Autism Speaks” NASCAR
Sprint Cup Series race.
To purchase tickets, or for more information, call 800-441-RACE or visit
DoverSpeedway.com.
# # #
About AAA Mid-Atlantic
AAA Mid-Atlantic is the nation's fifth largest auto club with 3.8 million
members in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and the
District of Columbia, providing automotive, travel, personal insurance and
financial services. AAA has represented motorists and travelers for more than
100 years. Nearly 27 percent of U.S. drivers are AAA members. For more
information, visit www.AAA.com.
About Dover International Speedway
Dover International Speedway is owned by Dover Motorsports, Inc. (NYSE: DVD), a
leading promoter of motorsports events in the United States. DVD subsidiaries
operate tracks in three states, and present more than 500 motorsports events
each year. This includes 16 major, national events which operate under the
auspices of three of the premier sanctioning bodies in the U.S. — NASCAR, NHRA,
and IRL. Dover Motorsports, Inc. also owns and operates Gateway International
Raceway near St. Louis, Mo., Memphis Motorsports Park in Memphis, Tenn., and
Nashville Superspeedway near Nashville, Tenn.
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DEADLINE TO ORDER SATURDAY FAN CLUBS IS FRIDAY, MAY 16!
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MONSTER MILE FAN CLUB OFFER ENDS FRIDAY, MAY 16!
PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Gary Camp
Director of Public Relations
Dover International Speedway
(302) 883-6560
May 9, 2008
Bobby Allison dedication ceremony highlights free fan activities at the Monster
Mile during the May 30-June 1, 2008 race weekend
DOVER, Del. — The astounding sight of the 46-foot Monster Monument, an abundance
of new entertainment options celebrating “40 Fast Years,” and the return of
NASCAR’s biggest stars will give race fans at Dover International Speedway
plenty to cheer about during the May 30 – June 1, 2008 race weekend. There will
be more to see and do at the track in 2008 than ever before. Race fans will
experience more than just great racing, with a special ceremony honoring Bobby
Allison, live entertainment, free autograph sessions and more.
Allison, a seven-time Dover winner, will be the first driver honored with a
marquee plaque on the Monster Monument. The special 4-foot high granite plaque
includes Allison’s career and Dover highlights and an engraved image of the
driver, in a section reserved for retired drivers who’ve established their
legacy at the Monster Mile. An induction ceremony is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. on
Saturday, May 31 near the monument. A free autograph session will follow from
1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
New entertainment options in Victory Plaza include live music by local favorites
Love Seed Mama Jump, Gritzz, and the Wicked Crickets, while strolling
entertainment – stilt walkers, chainsaw carvers, sand sculptors, a Mummers
string band, and more – will add to the carnival-like atmosphere at the track.
Along with the Allison dedication ceremony, other autograph sessions for ticket
holders are planned for race weekend and include: ESPN analyst and three-time
Dover winner Rusty Wallace from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at Victory Plaza on Friday, May
30; several drivers from the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series from 1-1:45 p.m. at
the Craftsman Display in the FanZone on May 30; NASCAR Nationwide Series rookie
and 2007 NASCAR Camping World Series champion Joey Logano from 10-11 a.m. at
Victory Plaza on Sunday, June 1; and a book signing with Washington Post
journalist Liz Clarke from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. at Victory Plaza on June 1.
All autograph sessions are on a first-come, first-served basis. Proof of any
June race ticket is required.
The NASCAR Foundation Track Walk also returns to the Monster Mile on Saturday,
May 31. NASCAR drivers and personalities will participate in this fun event, and
proceeds will benefit participating driver charities and the Autism Society of
Delaware. Fans can sign up in advance on DoverSpeedway.com or at the track, near
the entrance to the FanZone, on race weekend.
Grammy-nominated band Emerson Drive will perform on May 31 at 8 p.m. in the
Rollins Center at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino. Tickets are $25–$35 and can be
purchased online at DoverDowns.com or by calling 800-711-5882. The concert is
being underwritten by Heluva Good!, and all proceeds raised from ticket sales
will benefit Autism Speaks and the Autism Society of Delaware.
Tickets are still available for the June 1 “Best Buy 400 benefiting Student
Clubs for Autism Speaks” NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, the May 31 “Heluva
Good!® 200” NASCAR Nationwide Series race and the May 30 “AAA Insurance 200”
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race. To purchase tickets, or for more
information, call 800-441-RACE or visit DoverSpeedway.com.
# # #
Dover International Speedway is owned by Dover Motorsports, Inc. (NYSE: DVD), a
leading promoter of motorsports events in the United States. DVD subsidiaries
operate tracks in three states, and present more than 500 motorsports events
each year. This includes 16 major, national events which operate under the
auspices of three of the premier sanctioning bodies in the U.S. — NASCAR, NHRA,
and IRL. Dover Motorsports, Inc. also owns and operates Gateway International
Raceway near St. Louis, Mo., Memphis Motorsports Park in Memphis, Tenn., and
Nashville Superspeedway near Nashville, Tenn.
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