ISC and Penn National Gaming get final approval to build casino at Kansas Speedway
Gilbert Sam, Jr.
http://www.racewayreport.com
Friday, February 12, 2010
ISC and Penn National Gaming get approval to build casino at Kansas
Speedway: The chosen Wyandotte County casino developers have gotten
the final go-ahead to begin their destination casino project near
Kansas Speedway. The Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission on Friday
unanimously approved the developers’ contract, spokesman Mike Deines
said. An approved background check had been the final hurdle. The
state’s Lottery Gaming Facility Review Board had recommended approval
of the contract with Kansas Entertainment LLC on Dec. 1. Kansas
Entertainment, now a joint venture of International Speedway Corp. and
Penn National Gaming Inc., plans to open the casino in the first
quarter of 2012 at a site overlooking the Kansas Speedway track.
(Kansas City Business Journal)
http://www.racewayreport.com/news/kansas.html
Petty to lead Daytona 500 field in 2011 Mustang pace car: Richard
Petty will find himself in a very familiar place on Sunday afternoon,
leading the field in the Daytona 500. Petty, who holds the NASCAR
record with seven Daytona 500 victories, has accepted the role as
"Pace Car Driver" for the 52nd running of the Great American Race, and
will pace all 43 cars to the green flag behind the wheel of a special
edition 2011 Mustang GT, powered by Ford's all-new 5.0-liter V-8
engine. "There's nothing like the Daytona 500. It's one of the biggest
races in the world and to be a part of it in this way is the next-best
thing to actually being able to race," Petty said. "Who knows, maybe
I'll just stay out there for a few laps and see what those guys have
got." Petty is back as a member of the Ford Racing family after
Richard Petty Motorsports merged with Yates Racing during the recently
concluded off-season. Petty previously drove for the blue oval in 1969
and won nine races that season in a Ford Torino. Ironically, the last
and only other time Ford served as pace car for the Daytona 500 was
one year later when a Ford Torino GT convertible started the 1970
event. (Ford PR)
http://www.racewayreport.com/news/daytona.html
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)
http://www.racewayreport.com/news/richmond.html
Tissot to continue to reward Pit Road Precission Award in 2010:
Tissot, the official watch and timekeeper of NASCAR, will continue to
recognize Sprint Cup pit crews in 2010 with the Tissot Pit Road
Precision Award. The Tissot Pit Road Precision Award will be presented
in each of the 36 Cup races to the team whose car spends the least
amount of time on pit road and finishes on the lead lap. The winning
pit crew in each race will earn $5,000 and a Tissot V8 Quartz
Chronograph watch. The team with the most Tissot Pit Road Precision
Award wins at the completion of the 36-race Sprint Cup schedule will
receive a $105,000 bonus plus Tissot watches for the over-the-wall
crew members and driver. The Tissot Pit Road Precision Award is coming
off a competitive 2009 season which saw 18 different teams claim the
weekly competition. The championship went to Greg Biffle's No. 16 3M
pit crew, which won a season-high of six times.(Tissot PR)
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