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California Speedway sight lines improved

California Speedway Improves Sight Lines, Safety & NASCAR Fan Experience with Reconfiguration of the Infield RV Area New View to Debut Live on FOX Sports During Auto Club 500 on February 25, 2007 As part of its ongoing commitment to providing ...

Published: Nov 11, 2006, 7:07 AM

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California Speedway Improves Sight Lines, Safety & NASCAR Fan Experience with Reconfiguration of the Infield RV Area

New View to Debut Live on FOX Sports During Auto Club 500 on February 25, 2007

As part of its ongoing commitment to providing the best racing experience for fans, California Speedway President Gillian Zucker today announced that the infield RV area has been reconfigured to improve sight lines for grandstand guests and the television audience, and to improve the safety conditions for drivers and safety workers by providing NASCAR officials with a better view of the track's backstretch from the tower.

The reconfiguration comes in response to feedback from NASCAR officials, guests and television partners and will further ensure that in 2007 and beyond, California Speedway's February and September NASCAR NEXTEL Cup weekends are fun and memorable for all involved. While the changes will result in improved sight lines for NASCAR officials and grandstand fans, the view from more than 40,000 lower grandstand seats -- some of the most popular seats -- will be dramatically improved.

"With the revised infield RV footprint, fans both in the grandstands and watching at home will notice a dramatic improvement in their ability to see the action on the backstretch," said Zucker. "The changes deliver what both NASCAR officials and our grandstand fans have asked for from California Speedway."

California Speedway has made the changes just in time for the West Coast premiere of NASCAR that is comprised of The San Bernardino County 200, Stater Bros 300 and the Auto Club 500 races held February 23 -- 25, 2007. The February 25 Auto Club 500 race will be televised live on FOX Sports.

"FOX Sports continually strives to set the standard for sports entertainment," said Fox Sports Television Group Chairman and CEO David Hill. "We're committed to bringing the fan as close to the action as possible and the improved camera angles afforded through these changes further delivers on that promise."

NASCAR President Mike Helton added: "California Speedway has always been a leader in bringing great entertainment value to NASCAR fans, but we all know what brings fans back year after year is exciting racing. This past Labor Day, we saw the best NASCAR race ever at California Speedway that included 43 lead changes around the track among 10 drivers and over six thousand passes."

Following a sight line study conducted by Associated Engineers, Inc. of Ontario, Calif., the Speedway removed the first row of backstretch RVs placing an additional 50 ft of space after the inside retaining wall and the 150 ft. skid pad. The new open area will be fenced off and will not be accessible to the public. The reconfiguration resulted in the displacement of 157 of 1,800 RV spots and Zucker called each RV owner to explain the necessity of the changes.

"The RV fan represents some of California Speedway's most loyal, long-standing fan base so I called each guest personally to ensure that they knew that this wasn't a decision that we came to lightly," said Zucker. "Even though some of our displaced RV guests have enjoyed racing from their reserved spot ever since the track opened, they showed a clear understanding that we needed to take these steps on behalf of the NASCAR drivers, our safety workers and their extended NASCAR fan family. They are truly the best fans in all of sports."

While these changes have benefited the track's grandstand guests and home viewers, California Speedway has not forgotten the dedicated infield RV fans. NEXTEL Vision screens will be added to the backstretch so that infield RV guests will have an even better view of the racing action and will be able to view in full detail all pre-race and on-track entertainment. The screens will be supplemented by FM band radio (104.7) transmitting the audio PA signal and MRN broadcast.

The infield RV reconfiguration comes on the heels of a year-long set of improvements at California Speedway that have taken place since Zucker was named track president of the track that is located in San Bernardino County, 40 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. In addition to traffic planning efforts that have resulted in quick and easy access in and out of the speedway, the new, multi-million dollar Opportunity, California FanZone featuring the Apex restaurant by Wolfgang Puck, the Impulse retail store, an entertainment stage, the Motorola Town Center and shade features debuted in September. The Opportunity, California FanZone will play host to a variety of live bands and attractions during race weekends and will give fans even more value for their ticket purchases. The newly relocated Auto Club Dragway, the AMA Superbike Weekend, Historic Sports Cars and NHRA events are also part of the track's offerings.

For tickets to the upcoming Auto Club 500 weekend at California Speedway, or for more information, visit www.californiaspeedway.com or call 800-944-RACE.

-credit: cs

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