Although the summer is winding down, Daytona International Speedway’s historic DAYTONA Rising project is running at full speed.

Here is a recap of key construction activities since the last update in August:

• Initial installation of piling and caps (approximately 2,400 piles and 520 caps are scheduled to be installed during the next several months)
• All four of the previously dismantled entrance portals/ticket gate structures have been reinstalled in preparation for upcoming events
• Continued overhaul of underground utilities, including storm and sanitary piping as well as electrical duct bank structures
• Installation of wellpoint dewatering system to enable construction of piling caps below the water table
• Installation of the Lift Station sump has been completed
• Rough grading for areas near the Sprint Tower as well as east and west sides

Upcoming construction activities:

• Installation of piling caps
• Commissioning and verification of services (power, water, sanitary sewer, storm drainage, telecom and data)
• Mobilization of Barton Malow concrete for installation of piling and piling caps

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.  The project is expected to be completed in time for the 2016 Rolex 24 At Daytona and DAYTONA 500.

Barton Malow is serving as the general contractor 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.

DIS PR

By giving an hour of their time and rolling up their sleeves, race fans can help others and pick up a little racing excitement for themselves through an American Red Cross blood drive at Martinsville Speedway on Monday, September 16.

The American Red Cross will be set up in the infield of Martinsville Speedway from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on September 16 to collect much-needed blood.

Anyone registering to donate a pint of blood will receive a certificate for a free ticket to the Martinsville Speedway Pole Day on October 25. The Goody’s^™ Headache Relief Shot^™ 500 Powered by Kroger NASCAR Sprint Cup race is scheduled for October 27, the day after the Kroger 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race.

“Race fans are the best when it comes to giving back to their communities,” said Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell. “This is a great chance to help others. It’s one of those things we love to be involved with. I know many of our employees will be rolling up their sleeves and we expect many other folks to help out, too.”

To make an appointment, call 800.RED.CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org online. While appointments are suggested, non-scheduled donors will be accepted on the day of the drive.

Martinsville Speedway PR

Iron Source, a Delaware-based equipment sales, rental and service company, will sponsor driver Mike Wallace’s run in Friday night’s Virginia 529 College Savings 250 Nationwide Series race at Richmond International Raceway.

Iron Source serves the construction and farm industries, as well as homeowners, in the DELMARVA Region. Iron Source represents several equipment manufacturers, including Gehl, Manitou, Wacker Neuson and Bandit.

“We’re happy to have Iron Source back with us this weekend,” Wallace said. “They dominate what they do here, and it’s always great to have a top-notch company involved when we hit the race track. We’re looking forward to a great race with them tonight.”

Iron Source will be aboard the JD Motorsports with Gary Keller 01 Chevrolet.

JD Motorsports PR

Chandra and Jimmie Johnson are pleased to announce the birth of their daughter. She was born Friday, Sept. 6, at 2:02 a.m. at a Charlotte, N.C., hospital. She weighed 5 pounds, 10 ounces and was 19 inches long at birth.

Big sister Genevieve Marie, 3, is said to be very proud of her new baby sister.

Mother and baby and are doing fine and are expected to remain in the hospital overnight.

Johnson will miss today’s events at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway. Regan Smith will serve as interim driver with Johnson returning to drive the No. 48 Kobalt Tools Chevrolet SS in Saturday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event.

TSC PR

Hillman Racing today announced that CRC Automotive will be the primary sponsor of the No. 40 Hillman Racing Chevrolet SS this weekend at Richmond International Raceway.  CRC Industries, a manufacturer of an extensive arsenal of automotive maintenance repair products, will promote its industry-leading CRC Brakleen® brake parts cleaner on the hood of the Sprint Cup Series entry driven by Landon Cassill in conjunction with an online promotion on the company’s Facebook page.  Cassill, who has split time between the Nos. 33 and 40 Sprint Cup entries this season, will pilot the No. 40 CRC Brakleen Chevrolet in Saturday night’s Federated Auto Parts 400, the final race before the 10-race Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. 

“We’ve developed a relationship with CRC from a product side and use their full line of automotive products for the preparation of our fleet of race cars,” stated Hillman Racing team owner Mike Hillman, Sr.  “From CRC’s Brakleen to the recently launched QC-82 Degreaser, their products are hands down the best on the market.  I was asked many times last week why we didn’t run the Wildfire Camo car at Atlanta, so we’re bringing that scheme back as the backdrop for the CRC Brakleen logo under the lights at Richmond.  With this being the last race before the start of the Chase, all of the teams will be bringing their best stuff to the track on Saturday night and we’re no different as we continue to build this No. 40 program.”

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400 will be broadcast live on ABC from Richmond International Speedway on Saturday, September 7, with pre-race coverage beginning at 7:00 p.m. EDT.

Hillman Racing PR

SS Green Light Racing is pleased to welcome another young gun to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series as Pennsylvania hot-shoe Matt Kurzejewski will take the wheel of the Costy’s Energy Service No. 81 on Sunday afternoon in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Fan Appreciation 200 presented by New Holland at the Iowa Speedway.

Kurzejewski is a second-generation driver from Pennsylvania who began racing at the age of four. “I kind of followed in my fathers footsteps a little bit… He was a modified driver in the Northeast. I started racing when I was four in quarter-midgets and run in various series over the years including modifieds. I ran my first ARCA race in 2008 with the Keselowski’s.” Kurzejewski explained. “Most recently I’ve run some UARA stuff and PASS late models. Earlier this year I ran two more ARCA races at Daytona and Talladega where we had two top-ten finishes and a chance at a top-three finish at Talladega, but the race was cut short by rain.”

“Right now my goal is to get established in the Camping World Truck Series, I really like the trucks.”

“I played a lot of sports but racing is my favorite thing to do. I could have gone to college to play hockey but chose to take the racing path,” he continued. “The main goal this weekend at Iowa is to finish on the lead lap and finish my approval process for the mile and half tracks, because we would like to run Las Vegas later this year. I have NASCAR approval for short tracks and superspeedways, but need to get approved for the intermediate tracks.”

SS Green Light Racing owner Bobby Dotter is pleased to welcome Cal Boprey to the team. Cal has come onboard to serve as crew chief for the No. 81 team for the rest of 2013. “Cal brings a wealth of experience to our team and I think he is a guy who will work well with the myself and the team. We have a lot going on through the rest of 2013 and Cal will be a great addition to the SS Green Light team.”

“I know Bobby is trying to groom some young drivers for next year,” said new crew chief Boprey. “I’m excited to be here at SS Green Light Racing and to help these young drivers get up to speed and get comfortable in the Truck Series starting this week with Matt Kurzejewski at Iowa.”

Costy’s Energy Services of Mansfield, PA will back Kurzejewski’s No. 81 at the Iowa Speedway.

The Fan Appreciation 200 presented by New Holland is the 306th consecutive NCWTS start for the SS Green Light Racing team and the first career NCWTS start for Kurzejewski in the Truck Series. Jimmy Weller will be behind the wheel of the the SS Green Light No. 07 this week at Iowa.

SS Green Light Racing PR

Third generation race car driver, Taylor Stricklin, today challenged all NASCAR fans to join the 17^h Annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and support the battle against breast cancer. Stricklin will “participate in the most important race of the year” when he meets and greets his NASCAR fans and thousands of others who will gather in uptown Charlotte’s Marshall Park for the annual 5K event on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013.

“We race every weekend, but this race is the most important because it supports our local community and funds research to help end breast cancer forever,” said Stricklin, who will take a break from his competition in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series to support Komen’s Race for the Cure. Taylor is the 24-year old son of former NASCAR driver Hut Stricklin and grandson of NASCAR legend Donnie Allison.

“I encourage you to register for this event because everyone knows someone who is affected by this disease,” he stated, recalling that his own great-grandmother had breast cancer. “There are many wonderful survivor stories, but too many people still do not win the battle. And that needs to end. Let’s get together at the Race for the Cure and make a difference.”

Online registration is open NOW through September 28^th.  Go to Komen Charlotte’s website at www.komencharlotte.org  and register as an individual, join a team, or donate to an individual/team.

The Komen Charlotte Race for the Cure® is a fundraiser that features a 5K timed race, 5K non-competitive run/walk, one-mile route, 50-yard kids’ dash, race expo, Survivor’s tent, and much more! Festivities begin at 6:00 am, with the timed run beginning at 7:15 a.m., and the walk/run beginning at 7:50 am. It is a celebration of life where runners and walkers of all ages gather to honor survivors who are winning the battle against breast cancer and to remember those who have lost their lives to this devastating disease.

Komen Charlotte has a goal to raise $1,000,000 and we need your help! A maximum of 75 percent of net proceeds goes to our local community to help uninsured and underinsured women receive breast cancer education, screenings, diagnostic services and treatment support. Komen Charlotte serves a 13-county service area including Mecklenburg and the 12 surrounding counties. The additional 25 percent supports the Komen National Research Grant Program, which funds major research programs across the country.  

Taylor Stricklin PR

Otto Linton is the final inductee to the Legends of The Glen for 2013.  Linton entered a 1934 MGJ4 Competition two-seater in the 1948 Jr. Prix and Grand Prix.  The formal announcement will be made during the PrixView Party Thursday night at Watkins Glen International.

“It is a pleasure to induct Otto Linton as a Legend of The Glen leading into the Glenora Wine Cellars U.S. Vintage Grand Prix presented by Welliver Weekend,” said Michael Printup, president of Watkins Glen International.  “Linton is a valuable member of our Watkins Glen International racing community.”

Linton competed in the first officially sanctioned race in Watkins Glen on the 6.6-mile street course in 1948.  Linton came back year after year through the late 1950s to participate in a number of events including Jr. Prix races, the Seneca Cup and Queen Catherine Cup.  Linton’s best finish was third in the 1956 Queen Catherine Cup race. 

In these events, Linton drove a variety of cars, including a Frazer Nash TT Replica, a Siata Sport, a Siata 208 CS and an OSCA MT4 throughout the late 50s.

Since 2008, Watkins Glen International has selected drivers from all racing backgrounds to the elite class known as The Legends of The Glen.  Geoff Bodine took his place among The Legends of The Glen during the Cheez-It™ 355 at The Glen in August.

WGI PR

Heading to Iowa...Ben Kennedy will attempt to make his second career start in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) on Sunday, September 8.  While Kennedy is attempting to make his first career NCWTS start at Iowa Speedway, he's no stranger to the Newton, Iowa track. Kennedy has five starts at Iowa in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East (NKNPSE). He's been there twice this year already, with a best finish of ninth in the June NKNPSE race. Kennedy's No. 96 truck entry is not locked in on owner's points and he will have to qualify his way into the race on time.

This Week's Silverado...This weekend's No. 96 ModSpace Motorsports/Fresh from Florida Chevrolet Silverado has been prepared by Turner Scott Motorsports. The No. 96 Ben Kennedy Racing team will unload chassis TSM-230 at Iowa. This is the same chassis Kennedy raced at Bristol Motor Speedway (BMS) earlier this year in his NCWTS debut.

Recapping Bristol...Ben Kennedy, a 21-year-old Daytona Beach, Fla. native, made his first start in one of NASCAR's top-three national series at BMS in the NCWTS on August 21, 2013. Kennedy worked with veteran crew chief Chris Carrier for his debut at the 0.533-mile high-banked concrete oval. Kennedy was able to keep his truck clean throughout both practice sessions and qualified his No. 96 ModSpace Motorsports/Fresh from Florida Chevy 19th for the UNOH 200.  The looming rain shower held off and Kennedy was able to gain experience in the Truck Series, bringing his No. 96 ModSpace Motorsports/Fresh from Florida Chevrolet Silverado home in the 20th position for Ben Kennedy Racing.

Watch and Listen...The NCWTS goes Sunday afternoon racing for the second week in a row with the Fan Appreciation 200 presented by New Holland at Iowa. The race can be seen live on Sunday, September 8 on FOX Sports 1. Race coverage will begin at 1:30 p.m. EDT. The event can also be heard live on MRN Radio as well as SiriusXM Satellite Radio, channel 90.

Crew Chief Chris Carrier on Ben Kennedy and Racing at Iowa:

"I'm looking forward to getting to Iowa [Speedway] with Ben [Kennedy].He did a great job at Bristol [Motor Speedway] a few weeks ago of learning the truck in race conditions and keeping it clean. He raced a very smart race there. I think he will be very comfortable at Iowa. He's had a few starts there in a K&N car, so that will work to our advantage since he's comfortable with the track."

Ben Kennedy on Racing at Iowa Speedway:

"I can't wait to get to Iowa [Speedway]. I've been there a few times in a K&N car, so that will give me a little bit of an advantage when it comes to qualifying and racing there. It will be my second race with crew chief Chris Carrier and I'm looking forward to working with him again this weekend."

TSM PR