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American Hero Gets His Own NASCAR Race

February 28, 2009

One of our favorite NASCAR promotions, the Crown Royal® Presents the “Your Name Here” 400 declared it’s grand prize winner for the first 2009 Sprint Cup race at Richmond International Raceway, during Speedweeks at Daytona.

Last year, we had 2008 winner Dan Lowry of “Crown Royal presents the Dan Lowry 400″ fame as guest ON PIT ROW. We’re hoping to have Russell Friedman, a two-time Purple Heart recipient and this year’s contest winner as a guest this time. It’s just the coolest prize a NASCAR fan could win.

 

CROWN ROYAL® AWARDS PURPLE HEART RECIPIENT NAMING RIGHTS TO

 

NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES RACE AT RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY

 

Grand Prize Winner Dedicates Race to All Who Serve Our Country 

DAYTONA, FL, February 13, 2009 – An elaborate ceremony today at Daytona International Speedway® revealed Russell Friedman, a two-time Purple Heart recipient, as the grand-prize winner of the third annual Crown Royal® Presents the “Your Name Here” 400 contest.   When Friedman accepted the prize – naming rights to the May 2 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway – he spoke of how his efforts could not be recognized alone and that it was important to honor all the individuals who serve our country.

 

 

 

 

 

Friedman lives in Huntington Station, NY, and was chosen from a group of seven finalists from around the country based on a submission that detailed his experience serving in Iraq.  The race at Richmond International Raceway on May 2, 2009 will now be titled “Crown Royal Presents the Russell Friedman 400.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Winning the Crown Royal ‘Your Name Here’ 400 contest is absolutely amazing and truly an overwhelming experience,” said Friedman.  “Not only do I get to live out one of my dreams, but I get a chance to help recognize all the American soldiers who defend our freedoms on a day-to-day basis and definitely deserve a toast with Crown Royal.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Throughout the contest, finalists submitted online or video entries describing an honorable act or achievement worthy of toasting with Crown Royal Canadian whisky.  Nearly 5,000 entries were received, detailing a myriad of achievements from the heroics of firefighters to dedicated fathers going the extra mile.

 

 

“Crown Royal is excited to celebrate the accomplishments of our consumers and race fans by honoring them with a sports experience fit for a king,” said Ami-Lynn Bakshi, vice president, Crown Royal.  “We’re looking forward to helping Russell share his moment in the spotlight with all the individuals who selflessly serve this country.  The Russell Friedman 400 will be an event for all to remember.”

 

 


The ceremony to unveil Friedman as the winner included a 20-foot replica Crown Royal bottle featuring his name as part of the Richmond race logo and was draped with an oversized iconic purple bag for two days leading up to the announcement.  A countdown clock ticked away while seven finalists waited with great anticipation as NASCAR driver Jamie McMurray and representatives from Crown Royal and Richmond International Raceway pulled down the bag to reveal the grand-prize winner’s name. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Russell Friedman 400 will be incorporated into all official race logos, used for thousands of pieces of merchandise and recognized by NASCAR’s broadcast and media partners as the race’s official title.  In addition, Friedman will take part in pre-race festivities at Richmond International Raceway, and participate in the trophy presentation to the race winner in Gatorade Victory Lane.  During the race weekend he will receive VIP accommodations for himself and a guest.

Leading up to the big day in Richmond, Crown Royal will continue to remind fans to “Be A Champion.  Drink Responsibly.” through Safe Rides Home designated driver initiatives and other programming designed to reinforce the importance of drinking responsibly.

“On behalf of Richmond International Raceway, congratulations to Russell and a sincere thank you to him and all the members of our nation’s armed forces to whom this race is dedicated,” said Richmond International Raceway President Doug Fritz. “The partnership with Crown Royal and the ‘Your Name Here’ contest has been a huge success, and Russell is sure to be another great winner. We look forward to continuing this great tradition by having Russell join us for an exciting weekend at America’s Premier Short Track.”

Photo credit: Icon Sports Media, Inc

Written by Charlie Turner · Filed Under Daytona International Speedway, NASCAR, NASCAR contests, NASCAR Press Releases, On Pit Row, Richmond International Raceway, Show News | Leave a Comment 

One and Done NASCAR Fantasy Racing News: Shelby 427

February 26, 2009

don’t tell me you watched the academy awards?

Race two is a wrap. The California race was long. And wet. And a good reason to use the remote. Eleven left in the One and Done Spring Thing – the first of three games in the 2009 One and Done season. We’ll finish this one at the race in Dover. Then, you win stuff and cinch those belts back up and do it again for thirteen more races. You get more prizes and then play the grand finale – the Chase for the One and Done Cup.

So tell your friends to sign up. After all, you’re a veteran at this now.

race 3: the shelby 427

Welcome to the home of the Rat Pack,bad Robert De niro movies and the  Busch brothers of NASCAR.

Four players picked Auto Club 500 winner Matt Kenseth last week and those guys are all near the top of the points.  Good job  - you lucky dogs. Who ‘ya gonna take this week, when Matty might just set a record for winning the first three One and Done races in history.? He might set a NASCAR record too.

You can view all the results for One and Done week two here.

next week: hot’lanta

Lets talk prizes. 

You all should know that the winner of the One and Done Spring Thing will receive a Dale Jarrett Racing Adventure package, good at several NASCAR tracks, including Talladega Superspeedway. You can read the experience of one of our past winners at that track right here.

The top ten finishers will win prizes in each game. I will have the details on those other prizes finalized this week. I think you’ll be happy with the possibilities. Stay tuned.

We’re also considering having a weekly prize, so that new players or players who miss making a pick for whatever reason, will still have a chance to win something. If we do the weekly award, it will be determined via the random drawing method.

 e experts

Every week we’ll ask a few folks from around the NASCAR internet community to share who they think would be a good pick for the next race.
Dustin Long NASCAR beat writer for the  Landmark Newspapers likes the Biff. ” Got a feeling for Greg Biffle  as the winner. Roush makes it 3 in a row. Also, keep an eye on the #48. Let’s see how the #88 responds also.”
Veteran ARCA RE/MAX Series driver Brad Smith thinks it’s cousin Carl this time…”I just think the #99 is due. He’s been good and I just have a feeling that this is his week.”
Fast and Fabulous Valli is in the #24′s corner…”I think Jeff Gordon will take the win at LVMS because after coming close to the win in California, he was passionate, excited and pumped up about his team’s potential. I think a win for him is just around the corner.”
Backstretch Motorsports’ Bram is a history buff…” This week at Vegas will Matt Kenseth get #3?…if he does he’ll be defying an awful lot of odds stacked against him in the history books. But it’s time for another new record to be written and this team has been on fire, so I say Kenseth gets his name in the record books and leaves Vegas with the jackpot.”

Thunder Lounge king Luke remembers last year… “Ah Vegas. A city that seemingly has everything. While it doesn’t have Shakespeare’s this year it has another Columbia favorite on loan. Carl Edwards. When the tough get going Sunday, he’ll be out to prove that his oil lid is locked down tight.”

Written by Charlie Turner · Filed Under Fantasy NASCAR, Fantasy Racing, Fantasy racing leagues, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, NASCAR, Site News | Leave a Comment 

One and Done NASCAR Fantasy Racing News: Auto Club 500

February 19, 2009

are you gettin’ the hang of this yet?

Race one is done. Twelve to go in the One and Done Spring Thing – the first of three games in the 2009 One and Done seasons. This game goes through the race at Dover. We’ll pass out the prizes, cinch those belts back up and do it again for thirteen more races. We’ll hand out more prizes and then play the grand finale – the Chase for the One and Done Cup.

So tell your friends to sign up. After all, you’re a veteran at this now.

race 2: auto club 500

Mark Martin was the most popular pick in week one. Fully 17 players took the veteran. That front row starting position may have convinced some that Martin was the man finally, at Daytona. Lots of you liked Jeff Gordon too.

But nobody had the 500 winner Matt Kenseth. So the One and Done points leaders this week were the three players who chose Kevin Harvick. Nicely done.

You can view all the results for One and Done week one here.

next week: vegas baby

Lets talk prizes. 

You all should know that the winner of the One and Done Spring Thing will receive a Dale Jarrett Racing Adventure package, good at several NASCAR tracks, including Talladega Superspeedway. You can read the experience of one of our past winners at that track right here.

The top ten finishers will win prizes in each game. I will have the details on those other prizes finalized this week. I think you’ll be happy with the possibilities. Stay tuned.

We’re also considering having a weekly prize, so that new players or players who miss making a pick for whatever reason, will still have a chance to win something. If we do the weekly award, it will be determined via the random drawing method.

 e experts

Every week we’ll ask a few folks from around the NASCAR internet community to share who they think would be a good pick for the next race.
Fancy Clance’ of Church of the Great Oval sees Smoke in the future saying “I am calling Tony Stewart. His Astro-Aspects for the day are full of Uranus, Mars and Trines, which signify quick thinking, agression and balance in all.
OK. OnPitRow photo-jockey BethAnne likes Kyle Busch. “He won the Nationwide race last summer and the Truck race in the spring. His racing this year has been strong. The time is right for him to add the Cup race to his list.
NASCAR Bits’ Bruce thinks this is easy…”This is an easy one. Jimmy Johnson OWNS this track. With finishing positions of 1,2,1,3,11 & 2 in his last few races, they’ve got a top three locked up.”
The Catfish – Matt Mercer – likes AJ Allmendinger…”best to go ahead and ride the momentum of AJ’s 3rd place run at Daytona this week. ‘Dinger’s from the west coast, runs well on bigger tracks, and could very well contend for another top finish. He’s my pick of the week.”

Our Scottish Racer pal Bram likes McMurray. I think. “I like Jamie McMurray as a dark horse here..and something tells me to watch for the better finish from Allmendinger..seeking sponsorship after a humbling off-season tends to boost one’s abilities..if you get my drift.”

Written by Charlie Turner · Filed Under Auto Club Speedway, Fantasy NASCAR, Fantasy Racing, Fantasy racing leagues, NASCAR, On Pit Row | Leave a Comment 

BethAnne Does ‘Dega

February 10, 2009

A year ago on February 21st I attended the Dale Jarrett Racing Adventure at Talladega Superspeedway. I won the 3 lap ride through our fantasy racing game and upgraded it to 6 lap drive.

Coming up on the anniversary of the event, I was looking fondly at the pictures taken and was surprised to see thatthe instructors and counselors in the pictures all seemed to be as into working there as much as we enjoyed playing there. This realization added a new level of fun to the whole experience and I will always remember it fondly. As I said to one of my buddies yesterday, Yes, I would do it again in a heartbeat!

Photo credit: BethAnne Heisler – OnPitRow.com

Written by BethAnne · Filed Under Fantasy racing leagues, On Pit Row on the Road, Site News, Talladega Superspeedway | 2 Comments 

On Pit Row Fantasy Racing Leagues are for You

February 6, 2009

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Get a free trial until March 15th, 2009. That’s right, play for free and pay only if you like it!
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Set up your league today. Sign up here. It’s the fantasy racing commissioner service from OnPitRow.com.

If you are thinking of doing any actual NASCAR betting you may be better served by finding actual NASCAR odds at a service that is involved in online wagering or something. We, most assuredly, are not.

Written by Charlie Turner · Filed Under Fantasy NASCAR, Fantasy racing leagues, NASCAR, On Pit Row, Site News | Leave a Comment