NASCAR Breaks Next Evolution of ‘Unpredictable and Dramatic’

Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 DOW Chevrolet, signs autographs in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 21, 2014  Photo - Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 DOW Chevrolet, signs autographs in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 21, 2014
Photo – Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Campaign Includes Three New Spots,

Two Spanish-Language Versions And Fan Engagement Component

Building on the success of last year’s visionary brand campaign, NASCAR once again will weave a compelling story for racing fans through new creative and a fan engagement program that celebrates the unpredictability and drama of stock car racing.

Beginning with three unique spots designed to connect NASCAR’s biggest stars – the drivers – with NASCAR’s most treasured supporters – the fans – this on-air campaign will drive home the experiences, sights, and sounds that make NASCAR unique. Two of the spots will be available in Spanish-language versions as part of NASCAR’s commitment to broadening its fan base among millennial and multicultural audiences. The creative campaign will début during “The Great American Race,” the Daytona 500, on Sunday (1 p.m. ET on FOX, FOX Deportes, Motor Racing Network Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

“Our fans are inspired by the drama and passion of racing, so we crafted spots that would bring the NASCAR experience to life,” said Kim Brink, NASCAR vice president, marketing. “This creative exudes excitement and anticipation, from drivers prepping for race day through grueling fitness regimens, to the children who look to them as their heroes. These spots will ensure that the NASCAR brand continues to move forward in an authentic and relevant way.”

The spots are:

“Machine” (English and Spanish) – Matching the human movement of a grueling training regimen with the movements of a car being prepped for a race, this spot poses the question of which entity on the track is the “machine.” Is it the world-class car, which is meticulously monitored and maintained, or is it the élite mind and body of NASCAR drivers, who devote all of their energy, strength, and focus on training to be the best?

English

Spanish

“Heroes” (English and Spanish) – NASCAR drivers are larger than life for a wide demographic of fans, but they evoke awe and admiration from children in particular. Kids marvel at the star power and sheer fun of being a NASCAR driver, and they dare to dream of one day battling other cars at speeds up to 200 mph in a race to cross the finish line first.

English

Spanish

“Change” (English) – NASCAR is built on the timeless stories of daredevil drivers who made history in decades past. But true to its roots, this sport doesn’t stand still and is continually pushing the boundaries through new, bold drivers and younger generations of fans. Some things have changed over the years, but the true thrill of the race will never change.

NASCAR’s new brand campaign was developed by Ogilvy & Mather’s New York office, inclusive of Ogilvy Rojo, the Hispanic arm of the agency.

“With a dual challenge to attract the next generation of fans, while deepening NASCAR’s emotional connection to avid fans, driver star power is the focal point of the campaign,” said Adam Tucker, President of Ogilvy & Mather Advertising New York. “The work reinforces a core truth; at the heart of NASCAR are megastar drivers who serve as role models, train like super-human athletes and ultimately represent everyday heroes in the hearts and minds of fans.”

In addition, NASCAR collaborated with FOX to create an all-new social engagement campaign centered around the key phrase of “#drafting”. Led by participation from NASCAR drivers, teams, and tracks, the  sport’s key personalities built anticipation for “The Great American Race” by capturing creative photos reminiscent of pack-style racing and sharing those moments via their social media handles.

Anchored by a landing page that aggregates the best #drafting content for fans to view, this cross-platform campaign has generated excitement for the 2014 season and will continue to build momentum leading into Sunday’s Daytona 500 race. Click here to visit the #drafting landing page: www.nascar.com/drafting.

Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 Preview

2014_Daytona500_REVAustin Dillon grabbing the Daytona 500 Pole victory with a Richter-scale rating may only be the beginning of news-making storylines in 2014.

On Sunday, Austin Dillon created a tidal wave of news, putting the iconic No. 3 car on the Pole. The No. 3 car last raced in the Sprint Cup Series in 2001, and hadn’t been on track in the series since Dale Earnhardt’s fatal wreck on the last lap of that year’s Daytona 500. In winning the pole, Dillon became the fourth driver to win the pole while driving the No. 3 car, joining Buddy Baker (1969), Ricky Rudd (1983) and Dale Earnhardt (1996). Continue reading

#1 Duel Moment – Dale Earnhardt’s Domination

Photo - @NascarMemories.

Photo – @NascarMemories.

No driver has ever won more races at the Daytona International Speedway than Dale Earnhardt. .He amassed a total of 34 victories across three series.

Earnhardt won his first Twin 125 qualifying race in 1983 and would again in 1986.
It was the only the beginning of his domination at the 2.5 mile track.

The Intimidator started a streak in 1990 no driver may ever replicate again.
Every year in the ’90s, he won his Twin 125 qualifying race. And to go along with them, Earnhardt won five straight NASCAR Busch (now Nationwide) Series races at Daytona from 1990 to 1994. Continue reading

#3 Best Duel Moment – Brian Keselowski Makes the 2011 Daytona 500

Brian Keselowski's car awaits the start of the 2011 Daytona 500 Photo - Kyle Magda

Brian Keselowski’s car awaits the start of the 2011 Daytona 500
Photo – Kyle Magda

Brian Keselowski was a long shot to make it into the 2011 Daytona 500.

He and his No. 92 team posted the slowest qualifying speed on pole day and the team had a lot of work ahead of them. Keselowski started 24th in the second Gatorade Duel, the last position in the field.  His brother Brad was competing in the same duel.

Brian ran in the back for most of the race.

A popular way of racing during 2011 Speedweeks was the new tandem draft, when two cars would hook up and push each other around the track.

With 21 laps remaining, Brad got a bump from Todd Bodine and sent the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge spinning. This forced Brad to come to pit road to fix some damage and start in the back on the ensuing restart. He happened to find his brother and the two stormed their way to the front.

With Brad’s help, Brian made the Daytona 500 by securing the second transfer spot with a fifth-place finish. After failing to make a race in three tries in 2010, Brian Keselowski finally made his Sprint Cup Series début in the 2011 Daytona 500.

A few days after the Duels, Brian received funding from Discount Tire, who came on as a sponsor for the No. 92 Dodge.

Brian started 12th in the Daytona 500, but the “Big One” took him out on lap 28, relegating him to a 41st place finish.

2011 Gatorade Duel #2 Top Ten

#31 Jeff Burton (won by. 005 seconds)

#33 Clint Bowyer

#15 Michael Waltrip (got first transfer spot)

#18 Kyle Busch

#92 Brian Keselowski (grabbed second transfer spot)

#1 Jamie McMurray

#2 Brad Keselowski (helped his brother make the Daytona 500)

#11 Denny Hamlin

#56 Martin Truex Jr.

#99 Carl Edwards (finished second in the 2011 Daytona 500)

Chris Evans is Grand Marshal for 56th Annual Daytona 500

Aside

"Marvel's Captain America: The Winter Soldier"  Photo - Marvel Entertainment

“Marvel’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier”
Photo – Marvel Entertainment

Actor Chris Evans, Star of Marvel’s “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” is Grand Marshal for 56th Annual Daytona 500 

Evans Will Deliver the Most Famous Words in Motorsports

for the ‘The Great American Race’ 

Chris Evans, star of Marvel’s latest Super Hero adventure “Captain America: The Winter Solider,” scheduled for release on April 4, will serve as Grand Marshal for the 56th annual Daytona 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, Feb. 23, at Daytona International Speedway. The race is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET and broadcast on FOX, FOX Deportes, MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, as well as streamed live on the FOX Sports GO app. Continue reading