The Final Lap Weekly Podcast LogoSHOW #365 – Guest: Ryan Reed – Recap road course racing from Sonoma, the iconic rainbow #24 returns, Jeff Gordon on a bus, Fox is out, NBC is in, Chevrolet at Daytona Rising, a full Daytona preview, Drivers Say What, Fantasy Racing and fun. Hosted by Kerry Murphey and Toby Christie (bet those other shows don’t add the fun!)

( Roughly 48:00 mins)

Continue reading “The Final Lap Weekly #365 – Ryan Reed – Daytona Coke Zero 400 Preview”

nascar_logoStatement from NASCAR Industry Members
July 2, 2015

“As members of the NASCAR industry, we join NASCAR in the desire to make our events among the most fan-friendly, welcoming environments in all of sports and entertainment.

“To do that, we are asking our fans and partners to join us in a renewed effort to create an all-inclusive, even more welcoming atmosphere for all who attend our events. This will include the request to refrain from displaying the Confederate Flag at our facilities and NASCAR events.

“We are committed to providing a welcoming atmosphere free of offensive symbols. This is an opportunity for NASCAR Nation to demonstrate its sense of mutual respect and acceptance for all who attend our events while collectively sharing the tremendous experience of NASCAR racing.”

SIGNATORIES
International Speedway Corporation (ISC)
Auto Club Speedway
Chicagoland Speedway
Darlington Raceway
Daytona International Speedway
Homestead-Miami Speedway
Kansas Speedway
Martinsville Speedway
Michigan International Speedway
Phoenix International Raceway
Richmond International Raceway
Route 66 Raceway
Talladega Superspeedway
Watkins Glen International
Speedway Motorsports Inc. (SMI)
Atlanta Motor Speedway
Bristol Motor Speedway
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Kentucky Speedway
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Sonoma Raceway
Texas Motor Speedway
Dover International Speedway
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Pocono Raceway
Iowa Speedway
Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
Road America
Canadian Tire Motorsport Park
Eldora Speedway
Gateway Motorsports Park

Daytona Rising_062215_FINALDAYTONA BEACH, Fla.– International Speedway Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select Market: ISCA; OTC Bulletin Board: ISCB) (“ISC”) and Chevrolet today announced a multi-year partnership that will make Chevrolet a Founding Partner at Daytona International Speedway (DIS) as part of its DAYTONA Rising redevelopment project.

The historic $400 million DAYTONA Rising project, encompassing the Speedway’s nearly one-mile long frontstretch, will be complete by January 2016. DAYTONA Rising will transform DIS into the world’s first motorsports stadium, with premium amenities and attractions.

Beginning in 2016, the multi-year agreement will provide Chevrolet with naming rights for one of five fan injectors. The massive, new and redesigned entry includes over 20,000 square feet of Chevrolet new vehicle displays and a fan engagement experience that vertically spans four concourse levels. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“Chevrolet has been an integral part of the ISC family for many years and we look forward to continuing our strong relationship,” said ISC Chief Executive Officer Lesa France Kennedy. “As part of their activation at DAYTONA Rising and other ISC facilities, Chevrolet will represent its iconic automotive brand through interactive experiences with fans.”

Chevrolet will also have branding rights for one of the “neighborhoods” located near its injector.
Each football field-sized neighborhood will be located throughout the new frontstretch and feature retail and dining areas, as well as dozens of video screens.

Additionally, Chevrolet will serve as an official partner of “The Great American Race,” the DAYTONA 500®, and receive official pace car rights in select years.

“Chevrolet’s commitment to racing originated more than a century ago with Louis Chevrolet and remains strong today as we solidify our presence at ‘The World Center of Racing’ by partnering with International Speedway Corporation, Daytona International Speedway and the DAYTONA Rising project,” said Alan Batey, president GM North America. “We look forward to enhancing the experience for race fans here in Daytona with the new Chevrolet injector entrance and neighborhood.”

In addition to the Founding Partner status with DAYTONA Rising, Chevrolet extended its pace car rights at several ISC facilities including Darlington Raceway®, Phoenix International Raceway® and Watkins Glen International® for various NASCAR and IMSA (International Motor Sports Association) events.

“We’re excited to showcase Chevrolet’s legendary brand at DIS as part of DAYTONA Rising,” said Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III. “Their activation will elevate the race day experience at the new motorsports stadium, and continue to make them an integral part of the Speedway experience.”

About DAYTONA Rising
DAYTONA Rising is a $400 million reimagining of an American icon – Daytona International Speedway. Five expanded and redesigned entrances, or “injectors,” will lead fans to a series of escalators and elevators, transporting them to three different concourse levels. Each level features spacious social areas, or “neighborhoods,” along the nearly mile-long frontstretch. At the conclusion of the redevelopment, Daytona International Speedway will have approximately 101,000 permanent, wider and more comfortable seats, twice as many restrooms and three times as many concession stands. In addition, the Speedway will feature over 60 luxury suites with track side views and a completely revamped hospitality experience for corporate guests. DAYTONA Rising: Reimagining an American Icon, expected to create 6,300 jobs, $300 million in labor income and over $80 million in tax revenue, will be completed in time for the 2016 Rolex 24 At Daytona and DAYTONA 500. Construction of DAYTONA Rising was recently cited as a primary source of expected growth in the Deltona, Fla., MSA as part of ManpowerGroup’s Employment Outlook Survey.

Barton Malow is serving as the design-builder for the project. In addition to DAYTONA Rising, Barton Malow has renovated the University of Michigan “Big House” and the Rose Bowl.

ROSSETTI, an award-winning architectural design and planning firm for the past 40 years, which headed the design for Ford Field NFL Stadium, University of Notre Dame Compton Family Ice Arena and five Major League Soccer Stadiums, is leading the master planning of the DAYTONA Rising site.

Race fans can follow the progress of the DAYTONA Rising project by visiting http://www.DAYTONARising.com and connecting with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest. Also, fans can see the construction project up close by taking one of the daily tours available at the Speedway on non-event days throughout the year. Visit http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/tours or the Speedway Ticket and Tours Building for more information. For tickets and more information on Daytona International Speedway events, visit http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or call 1-800-PITSHOP.

24C15_Axalta_Rainbow_Throwback_3Q-HighINSIDENEW YORK – After months of waiting, the moment finally came – Jeff Gordon revealed that he will once again drive a Chevrolet featuring the iconic rainbow paint scheme that kicked off his NASCAR Cup Series career.

The No. 24 Axalta Chevrolet SS will hit the track for the Aug. 22 night race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

“It is such an iconic paint scheme,” Gordon said while revealing the car on CBS This Morning. “It is when I got introduced to NASCAR with – now Axalta, used to be DuPont – they are the ones who came out with this bright-colored paint scheme and the fans love it.”

Gordon said he noticed right away that the scheme resonated with a certain segment of his fan base.

“Especially young fans, they were attracted to this car because it was so bright it always stood out,” he noted.

But fans of all ages were celebrating the return of the scheme – within minutes, #Rainbow24 was a trending topic throughout the United States on Twitter.

“I know they love it,” Gordon smiled. “The reason why we are bringing it out is because Twitter, Facebook and social media — they want this car out on the track.

“So it is exciting for them, exciting for us and for me to get to drive it again – it has been a long time, since 2000.”

CIvym3tW8AA9fzRGordon won three of his Cup championships driving the rainbow paint scheme, and now in his final full-time Sprint Cup season with the car making a triumphant return, he wouldn’t mind going out on top once again.

“I want to go out still being competitive,” he said. “I’d like to be a little more competitive than we’ve been this year, but we still have a lot of races left to go and I feel confident we’ve got a team that we can end on top.”

“Thank you for letting us unveil this car to the fans,” Gordon said. “I know they are thrilled about it.”

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​Rainbow returns for Jeff Gordon
BY GRAY CALDWELL

NEW YORK – It’s back.

At long last, thanks to Axalta, Jeff Gordon’s No. 24 Chevrolet SS will once again sport the iconic rainbow paint scheme.

gordon_rainbowTuesday on “CBS This Morning,” Gordon broke the news, unveiling the Axalta Chevrolet SS in New York.

He will race the special Axalta car at Bristol Motor Speedway on Aug. 22.

To celebrate the scheme’s return, let’s take a look at the rainbow Chevy – which Gordon drove from his very first start in 1992 through the 2000 season — by the numbers.

1: Rookie of the Year trophy

1: All-Star Race victory

3: Cup Series championships

17: Different tracks where Gordon earned at least one win in the rainbow scheme

33: Pole positions earned

52: Trips to Victory Lane

129: Top-five finishes

166: Top-10s recorded

10,708: Total laps led

1,000,000: Dollars earned for winning the Daytona 500, Charlotte 600 and Southern 500 in 1997.

With the scheme revealed, we’re less than two months until the #Rainbow24 returns to the track one final time.

Four-Time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Jeff Gordon is continuing his farewell tour by trading his racing car in for his very own double decker sightseeing bus. To recognize Jeff for all of his contributions to NASCAR and philanthropy, the Ride of Fame (a continuing worldwide series of mobile monuments dedicated to public figures highlighting and promoting their respective cities with their business and personal endeavors) is immortalizing Jeff with his very own double-decker bus to honor his final full-time season with NASCAR.

PHOTO CREDIT: DAVE KAUFMAN – UNITED STATIONS RADIO NETWORKS

The ceremony includes the unveiling of a permanent decal bearing his image on the front of the bus, a personalized message from Jeff to the world on his very own permanent seat and interacting with fans in attendance cheering him on. Other star athletes inducted into the Ride of Fame include Yankees Legend Mariano Rivera, Washington Capitals Superstar Alex Ovechkin and Rangers Goalie Henrik Lundqvist. Jeff is also the first professional racecar driver to be inducted into the Ride of Fame.