Auto Club 400 - NASCAR's Saint Patrick's Weekend With ACS President Dave Allen

Pitlane at Auto Club Speedway. Image Credit: ACS

Auto Club 400 - NASCAR's Saint Patrick's Weekend With ACS President Dave Allen 

Auto Club Speedway is celebrating 22 years of racing during St. Patrick's Day weekend at Southern California’s premier motorsports venue March 15-17, 2019 when NASCAR makes its only stop in Southern California for Auto Club 400 Weekend.

For the first time ever on the NASCAR circuit, Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers will line up five wide during the pace laps prior to the drop of the green flag for the Auto Club 400 on March 17, 2019. The “Five Wide Salute” not only pays homage to Saturday night short tracks, but will celebrate Auto Club Speedway’s signature racing style of flat out and five wide.

Welcome, DAVE ALLEN, President Auto Club Speedway ...

1) Auto Club Speedway is one of the fastest tracks on the NASCAR circuit - Everybody in NASCAR is talking about a new rules package that is expected to enhance the quality of competition, given the limited exposure shown so far during the race at Atlanta that had Brad Keselowski winning for Team Penske, what will you be looking for out of the new rules as they will be tested at Auto Club Speedway during the Auto Club 400 weekend and race on Sunday?

2) Since this track was originally a vision from the house of Roger Penske, and Brad Keselowski just became winningest Penske Racing driver of all time with 61 victories eclipsing Mark Donohue's multi-discipline mark of 60, does Auto Club Speedway plan to stage a recognition of this unique mark in motorsports history?


3) Event Weekend schedule - what do fans need to be looking for?

⦁ The NASCAR Auto Club 400 is scheduled for Sunday, March 17, 2019 at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California.

Weekend Schedule:

Thursday, March 14: NASCAR Hauler Parade (Free community event)
⦁ Hauler Parade at 6:30 pm
Friday, March 15: NASCAR Qualifying Day
⦁ Gates open at 9:30 am
⦁ Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying at 2:40 p.m.
Saturday, March 16: NASCAR XFINITY Series NXS 300 Race
⦁ Gates open at 8:00 am
⦁ NXS 300 starts at 2:00 pm
Sunday, March 17:  Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Auto Club 400
⦁ Gates open at 7:00 am
⦁ Auto Club 400 starts at 12:30 pm

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NEW

Five Wide Salute
⦁ For the first time ever on the NASCAR circuit, Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers will line-up for a “Five Wide Salute” during the pace laps prior to the drop of the green flag for the Auto Club 400 on March 17, 2019.
⦁ The “Five Wide Salute” is a tribute to Saturday night short tracks, but also celebrates Auto Club Speedway’s signature racing style of flat-out and five wide.

Fan Favorites include:
⦁ Monster Energy athletes perform incredible motorcycle and truck stunts at their home track during their famous Monster Energy Smoke Show
⦁ Catch the famed high-flying maneuvers and acrobatic acts of lucha libre wrestling in the Viva La Fiesta Zone
⦁ Lefty’s Fun Zone for family-friendly games and motorsports fun designed all for kids!
⦁ Pre-Race Concert always rocks the fan zone.  Headliner will be announced soon. Past performers include Bush, Switchfoot, Smash Mouth and More!

Race Day Ticket Packages:
Whether it’s taking a behind the scenes tour of NASCAR garages, watching the Auto Club 400 race from an all-inclusive pit road Busch Lounge, or attending a NASCAR driver Q&A with Chase Elliott or Jimmie Johnson…there are a variety of unique race day experiences.  Ticket Packages are available with special pricing through March 2. 

 4) The Los Angeles basin has now experienced its coldest month of February, not one day reached 70 degrees since records have been taken starting in the late 1880's - what are the weather forecasts telling you as to what to expect for the St. Patrick's Day Auto Club 400 weekend of activities.
ENDS

March the Seventeenth ... Sleep the Eighteenth

... notes from The EDJE



TAGS: #autoclub400, #bradkeselowski, #daveallen, #edmundjenks, #fivewidesalute, #jimmiejohnson, #markdonohue, #monsrerenergycup, #motorsportsjournal, #nascar, #penskeracing, #performanceandracingtechtalk, #saintpatricksday, #theedje, #ticketpackages, #xfinity

The Monster Energy NASCAR Series Auto Club 400 2018 Gets Kicked Off With Dave Allen

Chip Ganassi Racing's Kyle Larson wins the 20th Anniversary celebration checkered flag of the Auto Club 400. Image Credit: Getty Images via ACS (2017)

The Monster Energy NASCAR Series Auto Club 400 2018 Gets Kicked Off With Dave Allen

Dave Allen serves as President of Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. In this role, Mr. Allen is responsible for the management and operations of the ISC facility including Auto Club Dragway.

Mr. Allen has been with the Speedway since 1999 after spending one year at Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca.  From 2002-2006, Mr. Allen served as Senior Director of Sales and Marketing.  In 2006, Mr. Allen was named Vice President of Sales and Marketing with oversight of all sponsorship, hospitality, suite and consumer sales.

Mr. Allen’s leadership skills have enabled the track to grow with the addition of new events. Today, California’s premier motorsports facility, hosts over 320 days of track activity including a quarter-mile championship dragstrip at Auto Club Dragway, full-service karting facilities and various racing schools and experiences. The track is owned and operated by International Speedway Corporation (ISC).

BEGIN
Welcome, DAVE ALLEN, President Auto Club Speedway ...

After last year's Auto Club Speedway celebrating 20 years of racing with a ‘Track Reunion’ theme - NASCAR returns for it's only swing through the LA Basin marketplace in 2018. The Monster Energy NASCAR Series Auto Club 400 is scheduled for the weekend beginning with the Fan Fest Hauler Parade on Thursday, March 15 and concludes with the race being run with the Green Flag dropping at 12:30pm PT.

Auto Club Speedway is one of the fastest tracks on the NASCAR circuit and the oval has aged to perfection for incredible 4 to 5-wide racing, at times. Fans attending Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Auto Club 400 race weekend can park free of charge, making race weekend an incredible value full of fun and entertainment.


1)
Auto Club Speedway, again, is one of the fastest tracks on the NASCAR circuit - over the most recent years, the racing has improved in a steady progression ... beginning with race stage points enhancements - How do you see the Monster Energy NASCAR Series Auto Club 400 play out over last year?

2)
Tell us a little bit on how the 20th year reunion went and how is this going to go forward into this year?

3)
Overall, given what you have seen last year, what has the viewership & attendance been like? Give us a feel what that has been like?

4)
Event Weekend schedule - what do fans need to be looking for? I've noticed in a brief review of the schedule it really has some nice high-points, what do you see as some of the most important pieces that fans should be looking for?

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The NASCAR Auto Club 400 is scheduled for Sunday, March 18, 2018 at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California.

Schedule Overview: 

Thursday, March 15: FanFest and NASCAR Hauler Parade
⦁ Free Community Event
⦁ Gates open at 5:00 pm / Event ends at 8 p.m. 
⦁ Hauler Parade at 6:45 pm
⦁ NASCAR Driver Appearances – Q&A

Friday, March 16: NASCAR Qualifying Day and 5.11 Tactical Pole Day
⦁ General admission tickets are $20.00. Kids under 12 are free with a Lefty’s Kids Club membership with paid adult general admission ticket.
Gates open at 10:30 am
⦁ Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying at 4:15 pm 
⦁ Walk of Fame Ceremony: 2017 Auto Club 400 Winner - Kyle Larson at 10 a.m. outside Gate B 

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series leader and Elk Grove, Calif. native Kyle Larson (No. 42, Target Chevrolet) made Auto Club Speedway home sweet home this weekend in 2017 and atoned for runner-up finishes in each of his previous three Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series starts by pulling into victory lane at the 21st Annual Auto Club 400. Image Credit: Getty Images via ACS (2017)

Saturday, March 17: NASCAR Xfinity 300 race
⦁ General admission tickets start at $30.00. Kids under 12 are free with a Lefty’s Kids Club membership with paid adult general admission ticket.
⦁ Gates open at 9:00 am 
⦁ NXS 300 starts at 2:00 pm
⦁ National Anthem and Pre-Race Concert: Temecula Road

Sunday, March 18:  Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Auto Club 400 
⦁ Tickets start at $50.00
⦁ Gates open at 7:00 am
⦁ Auto Club 400 starts at 12:30 pm 
⦁ Grand Marshals: The Cast from Super Trooper 2
⦁ National Anthem: Grammy-nominated hitmaker Cassadee Pope 

Cassadee Blake Pope is an American singer, songwriter, and musician whio took part in the third season of The Voice and became the first female winner on December 18, 2012. Her debut solo country album, Frame by Frame, was released on October 8, 2013 to a top 10 Billboard 200 charting. It debuted at No. 1 on Top Country Albums, with 43,000 copies sold in its first week. Pope and her duet partner Chris Young were nominated for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for their hit song "Think of You", making her first contestant from The Voice to receive a Grammy nomination. When it comes to Pope's influences - Natalie Imbruglia's Left of the Middle and old Shania Twain, Michelle Branch, Avril, Blink 182 … "I’m kind of all over the board." And then more recently I’m into the new Blake Shelton album, Not Gonna Lie, Hunter Hayes, and Taylor Swift. Pope also mentions Martina McBride as one of her influences. Image Credit: ACS (2018)

Preview YouTube Auto Club 400 >>>
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Jimmy Johnson participates in a Q&A while standing next to the surfboard Richter's Trophy. Image Credit: ACS (2017)

⦁ Tickets for the Auto Club 400 start at $50
⦁ Extended special packages for fans through March 9
⦁ Q&A Session with Six-Time Auto Club 400 winner – Jimmie Johnson includes a ticket to the Auto Club 400, pre-race pit pass and more! Only  $118
⦁ Q&A Session with Chase Elliott – 2-day ticket package includes tix to Auto Club 400 and NXS 300 Only $69.00 
⦁ Drivers Meeting Red Carpet: Get an up-close view of your favorite NASCAR Drivers as they walk down the red carpet to the Drivers Meeting. Plus, Tix to the Auto Club 400 – only $99.50

⦁ To purchase tickets, call 800-944-RACE (7223) or visit ⦁ www.autoclubspeedway.com 

Chase Elliott is scheduled to participate in a fan Q&A session on race day. Image Credit: ACS (2017)

5)
I am aware that winning drivers get to have their hand and footprints placed in cement - are you going to have this ceremony for Chip Ganassi Racing's Kyle Larson?
ENDS

... notes from The EDJE



TAGS: Auto Club 400, Auto Club Speedway, NASCAR, Monster Energy, @JimmieJohnson,  @NASCAR, #NASCARThrowback, #ACSLove, @KyleLarsonRacin @ChaseElliott, #PitPass, #AutoClub400, @CassadeePope, The EDJE