Crown Royal set to honor military hero at Richmond: A special patriotic ceremony Friday at Daytona International Speedway revealed Heath Calhoun, a retired member of the Army who lost both of his legs in an explosion in Iraq, as the grand-prize winner of the annual Crown Royal "Your Name Here" 400 program. Heath Calhoun lives in Clarksville, Tenn., and was chosen from a group of five military finalists who were all nominated by their friends, family and fellow soldiers for their ability to demonstrate the core values of the military in performing a selfless act that made them a hero. Heath's nomination detailed his determination and ability to inspire others to live their lives to the fullest despite their injuries. "Words cannot describe what it means to be chosen by the fans for this unbelievable experience," Calhoun said. "Not only do I get to live out one of my dreams, but I get a chance to represent all the military that serve our country. I look forward to working with Crown Royal in all their efforts to promote responsible drinking to the millions of NASCAR fans, as well as the upcoming race at Richmond International Raceway." For his efforts in the military, Calhoun received a Purple Heart, as well as the George C. Lang Award for Courage. Once the finalists were selected, their stories were showcased on www.crownroyal.com where, for the first time ever, adult fans were able to choose who they thought should receive naming rights to the May 1 Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond. (PR)
Friday, Aug. 28, 2009
All American Rejects to headline Chevy Rock-n-Roll 400 prerace show: For the seventh straight year, the sounds of rock & roll and the intensity of NASCAR racing will merge at the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. This year's event features a pre-race concert by The All-American Rejects. The chart-topping rock band will perform on the frontstretch of Richmond International Raceway on Saturday, September 12, at 5:45 p.m., followed by the start of "One Last Race to Make the Chase"-the Chevy Rock & Roll 400. An American rock band formed in 2001 in Stillwater, Oklahoma, The All-American Rejects have released three studio albums that have garnered the band critical and mainstream success worldwide. Tickets for the NASCAR doubleheader weekend, September 11-12, at Richmond International Raceway, are on sale now. Tickets, which start at $40, can be purchased by logging on to www.rir.com or calling 866-455-RACE (7223).(RIR PR)
Friday, May 1, 2009
Teams plan to carry decal honoring David Poole: Several NASCAR Sprint Cup teams are carrying logos honoring the late David Poole this weekend at Richmond International Raceway. The four Hendrick Motosports cars are carrying a logo that has "DCP" for David Carl Poole and is in Carolina blue in honor of his alma mater, the University of North Carolina, in remembrance of the reporter who covered NASCAR for The Charlotte Observer and also hosted a program on Sirius XM Satellite Radio. Stewart-Haas Racing’s cars are also carrying a decal honoring the writer. The logo on the Stewart-Haas cars reads, “In Memory of David Poole 1959-2009” and includes images of a fountain pen and a microphone. Cars for Roush Fenway Racing, Penske Racing and Richard Childress Racing are among others also carrying decals.(SceneDaily.com)
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Many of Richmond's hotel rooms are vacant: Hotels across the Richmond region have dropped rates to lure NASCAR fans to Saturday night’s race at Richmond International Raceway. But even at lower prices, hotel managers expect to have plenty of empty rooms. “Quite honestly, I think the economy has really impacted people’s decision to come to the race this year,” said Fritz Schwartz, general manager of the Westin Richmond in the West End. Schwartz said there has been very little response to Westin’s special offer; the hotel is offering rooms for $179 during NASCAR weekend, about 5 percent off the regular rate. (Richmond BizSense)
NASCAR plans moment of silence before Saturday's race: David Poole, who covered racing for the Observer, died of a heart attack Tuesday at his Stanly County home. He was 50. A native of Gastonia, N.C., Poole became the Observer's NASCAR writer in 1997. He built a national following through ThatsRacin.com and a daily program he hosted on Sirius NASCAR Radio. The National Motorsports Press Association four times named him its writer of the year. He wrote about the sport with the enthusiasm of a fan and the critical eye of a journalist. "He could be controversial from time to time but he always wrote and spoke what he believed," said Richard Childress, president and CEO Richard Childress Racing. "He didn't pull any punches with anybody and that's what people respected about him. He was good for the sport." To honor Poole, Sirius plans to broadcast a tribute this morning. NASCAR plans a moment of silence before Saturday's race at Richmond. (ThatsRacin.com)
Monday, March 30, 2009
RIR working with local hotels to lower room cost: Richmond International Raceway is working with hotels in the Richmond region to promote special lodging rates and offers to race fans for the NASCAR Doubleheader weekend May 1-2 at America’s Premier Short Track. In conjunction with the Richmond Metropolitan Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, Richmond International Raceway is reaching out to area hotel owners and management and offering the opportunity to promote compelling lodging deals to race fans, which will include being listed on the track’s official web site www.rir.com. On the initial list of hotels offering significant deals, some of the 2009 race weekend rates are 20-50% lower compared to 2008 race weekend prices, and many of the hotels on the list have reduced or eliminated the minimum stay requirement for the upcoming May race weekend. The hotel program is another way Richmond International Raceway is working to make race weekends at America’s Premier Short Track more affordable and enjoyable for its fans. Please log on to www.rir.com or call 866-455-RACE (7223) for tickets and information.(RIR PR)
