Iowa Speedway today released its complete 2014 racing event schedule. The schedule encompasses three weekends, one each in May, July and August, and includes two NASCAR Nationwide Series races, a combination IndyCar and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series weekend, plus two additional major supporting events.

“Iowa Speedway fans consistently support our ‘big event’ weekends,” said Stan Clement, President of Iowa Speedway.  “This lineup of major NASCAR and IndyCar races is the best schedule we have put together for our race fans and promotional partners, and we look forward to an exciting and entertaining 2014 racing season.”

The 2014 season opens on Saturday and Sunday, May 17 – 18, with the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East versus West Challenge Saturday night. The stars and cars of the NASCAR Nationwide Series then will battle on Sunday in a 250-lap, high-speed contest on Iowa Speedway’s 7/8-mile tri-oval. The race marks the only Sunday afternoon event of the season at Iowa Speedway.

As previously announced, the new IndyCar/NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race weekend at Iowa Speedway is slated for Friday and Saturday nights, July 11 – 12, under the lights.  The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will race Friday night, and feature more than 30 of NASCAR’s top national drivers in the American Ethanol 200.  The first-ever Iowa Corn Indy 300 will feature 24 of the world’s best open-wheel racers in a 300-lap, 190 mph shootout on Saturday night.

Finally, the NASCAR Nationwide Series again will round out the season at ‘America’s Place to Race’ on Friday, August 1 and Saturday, August 2, with a second K&N Pro Series East versus West challenge race Friday night and the 250-lap feature race on Saturday night, under the lights.

Season ticket holders may renew their tickets for the 2014 season beginning today, and will have an exclusive right to secure their current seats until December 14.  All other seats are available for purchase immediately, with season ticket prices starting at $95. 

All season tickets will include a guaranteed seat location, complimentary Casey’s Fan Walk pass, and an opportunity to participate in pre-race ceremonies.

Season tickets, parking passes and onsite camping options are available online at www.iowaspeedway.com, or by calling the toll-free ticketing hotline, 866-RUSTY-GO (787-8946). 

Iowa Speedway PR

Location Based Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB: LBAS), maker of the PocketFinder vehicle and personal GPS devices, announced today that 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series “Rookie of the Year” Champion and Sprint Cup driver Timmy Hill will drive the #23 PocketFinder Chevrolet in the ServiceMaster 200 (NYSE:SVM) and two-time Canadian NASCAR series Champion DJ Kennington will drive the #1 PocketFinder Chevrolet in the Lucas Oil 150 with both events at Phoenix International Raceway this weekend.

PocketFinder GPS solutions allow you to stay in touch with your family or business. Know where loved ones, pets and any powered vehicles are located with the touch of a button. See them on a map from your computer or while you are on the go with free mobile Apps. They are simple to use and very accurate.

“LBT is excited to have two top quality, highly competitive drivers in this weekend’s races,” said Dave Morse, CEO. “DJ is from Canada and we are excited to launch our products through select retailers in Canada for the coming holiday season. Giving people the ability to ’see’ where their children and favorite vehicles are from anywhere and at any time is a great gift of protection and love,” he added.

Race events including practice and qualifying featuring the PocketFinder racing teams will be televised on ESPN2 and Fox Sports 1 and well as broadcast live on MRN radio.

Rick Ware stated, “PocketFinder and RWR are teaming up with two great championship quality drivers and NASCAR personalities. Collectively, we continue to spread the word about PocketFinder, the undisputed leader in personal and vehicle GPS units. You can track your vehicle, your kids, your pets and your favorite NASCAR driver if needed!”

Location Based Technologies PR

Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes today announced that effective January 1, 2014, Sherwin-Williams will become 'The Official Automotive Paint of NASCAR®.'

The announcement complements recent news that in May, 2013, The Sherwin-Williams Company signed a multi-year partnership designating the nation's largest specialty retailer of paint and painting supplies as the 'Official Paint of NASCAR.'

Sherwin-Williams, a FORTUNE 500 company, is leveraging its recent designation for architectural paint and the power of NASCAR's intellectual property to activate at its more than 3,500 stores nationwide and ignite the passion of its customers – many of whom are fiercely brand-loyal fans of the sport.

By adding the 'Official Paint of NASCAR' sponsorship in the automotive coatings category, Sherwin-Williams' Automotive Finishes division further expands its visibility as one of the leading product innovators and servicers to the collision repair and original equipment industries. Sherwin-Williams is the only direct distribution automotive paint manufacturer and provides service to its collision repair and OEM customers through nearly 200 company stores in the U.S. and Canada.

In support of the announcement, Adam Chafe, Vice President Marketing, Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes and 15-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series™ winning driver Greg Biffle, Roush/Fenway Racing, presented at the 2013 SEMA Show in Las Vegas the largest automotive OEM, aftermarket, and enthusiast exhibition attended by more than 110,000 exhibitors, attendees and media. "Since 2000, some of the biggest names in racing have trusted their race car finishes to Sherwin-Williams. We're extremely excited and honored to become the 'Official Automotive Paint of NASCAR.' In fact, more than a dozen NASCAR teams currently use Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes," said Chafe. "We aim to help teams cross the finish line and ensure that their cars and sponsors always look good on the track; that also holds true with every repair and repaint our customers provide."

During the announcement, Greg Biffle stated he was one of the 30+ other drivers who use Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes on their respective vehicles and noted that collectively they have more than 200 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victories between them. In addition to Biffle's Roush/Fenway Racing team, other NASCAR racing teams using Sherwin-Williams products include:

• Joe Gibbs Racing
• Richard Childress Racing
• Earnhardt Ganassi Racing
• Richard Petty Motorsports
• Michael Waltrip Racing
• Furniture Row Racing
• Wood Brothers Racing
• Germain Racing
• Tommy Baldwin Racing
• JTG Motorsports

For more information about Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes products or its motorsports program, visit www.sherwin-automotive.com or call 1-800-SWULTRA (1-800-798-5872).

Sherwin-Williams PR

Singer-songwriter, actor, and music producer Toby Keith will serve as Grand Marshal for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday, November 17.  Homestead-Miami Speedway President Matthew Becherer made the announcement.

Keith will deliver the most famous words in motorsports, “Drivers start your engines,” to commence the 15^th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in South Florida and the 12^th consecutive championship finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

“Toby Keith is an American icon and, like Homestead-Miami Speedway, he has a great partnership with Ford,” said Becherer. “He is the perfect individual to officially start the Ford EcoBoost 400.  We’ll have live music before the race from Miami’s own DJ Irie and a soon-to-be-announced concert act. And then, Toby will keep the excitement going by giving the command for drivers to start their engines and begin 267 laps of championship racing.”

Keith released his 17^th studio album “Drinks After Work” on October 29, 2013.  One of the most prolific songwriters and touring artists, Keith has performed many concerts in the Middle East for the U.S. armed forces.  The Oklahoma native has 32 number one song singles to his credit.

HMS PR

Race number 35 of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, and Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup race number 9, will be the AdvoCare 500k at Phoenix International Raceway. There are 43 cars on the entry list which means all of the teams will make Sunday's race.

Event Schedule: AdvoCare 500k

Friday: 1:35 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. ET Practice on Fox Sports 1, 5:40 p.m. ET Qualifying on Fox Sports 2

Saturday: 11:30 a.m. - 12:25 p.m. ET Practice on Fox Sports 1, 2:30 p.m. - 3:35 p.m. ET Final Practice on Fox Sports 1

Sunday: 3 p.m. ET Race on ESPN

Track & Race Information: Phoenix International Raceway

1 mile oval - 312 laps, 312 miles (500 km)

Grandstand Seating - 55,000

First Sprint Cup Series Race - 1988, 34 Races

Most Wins - Jimmie Johnson (4)

Last Two Winners - Carl Edwards (March 2013) - Kevin Harvick (November 2012)

Entry List: OPR = Owner Points Rank BOLD = Chase

Entry List Notes:

Bobby Labonte will make his final start for JTG/Daugherty Racing in the No. 47 Toyota.

Mark Martin will be in the No. 14 for Stewart-Haas Racing once again.

Elliott Sadler will race his third event for Michael Waltrip Racing in the No. 55 Toyota as Brian Vickers is out for the rest of the season due to a blot clot in his calf.

Justin Allgaier will make his fourth career start driving the No. 51 Chevrolet for Phoenix Racing.

Cole Whitt will make his seventh start of the season for Swan Racing in the No. 30 Toyota.

Tony Raines will make his tenth start of the season. He will be in the No. 33 for Circle Sport Racing.

Reed Sorenson will make his sixth start for Leavine Family Racing in the No. 95 Ford.

Check out other great articles at Sports Media 101.

Tommy Baldwin Racing Announced a sponsorship deal that is in place for this weekend's AdvoCare 500k at Phoenix International Raceway.

Ultra Wheel is a custom wheel shop that doesn't base themselves off a slogan or an icon to create their identity like others. The owner of Ultra Wheel is Jim Smith who was a long time owner in NASCAR and his team Ultra Motorsports won 36 races in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series including the 2005 championship with driver Ted Musgrave. Ultra Wheels will sponsor driver Dave Blaney and his #7 Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevrolet.

"We are happy to be teaming up with Ultra Wheel for the upcoming race weekend at Phoenix International Raceway. Jim Smith is familiar with the motorsports industry and how things work, which helps to create a great partnership for both TBR and Ultra Wheel," said team owner Tommy Baldwin.

Blaney is a veteran on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series tour and will make his 467th career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start on Sunday. Blaney has run in 33 of the 34 races in the Sprint Cup Series season in 2013 and has a best finish of 16th at Talladega in April. Team owner Tommy Baldwin commented on the sponsorship deal.

Check out other great articles at Sports Media 101.

Hulman & Company CEO Mark Miles has completed the formation of his leadership team by naming two accomplished sales and marketing executives with extensive automotive and racing industry roots as the leaders of the sales, licensing, marketing and communications functions of Hulman Motorsports.

Connell J. (C.J.) O'Donnell, who has worked in key marketing positions for various brands within Ford Motor Company, will join Hulman Motorsports as chief marketing officer, and Jay Frye, a racing executive who successfully transformed two teams into NASCAR Sprint Cup contenders, is the new chief revenue officer.

"We've set a new strategic direction for our motorsports entities, and Jay and C.J. are both top performers who will help us take big leaps forward," Miles said. "Among their immediate goals are to add sponsors for INDYCAR and IMS, improve our level of fan engagement and develop strategies to build alignment among our teams, drivers, venues and sponsors. Our team is in place, and there's no offseason as we prepare for 2014."

The appointments complete a reorganization that began earlier this year. This includes combining the commercial functions of INDYCAR and IMS, including sales, licensing, marketing and communications, into Hulman Motorsports, which O'Donnell and Frye will lead. In May, Derrick Walker was named as president of INDYCAR operations and competition. Other members of the Hulman leadership team include Jeff Belskus, president and chief financial officer of Hulman & Company; Gretchen Snelling, vice president and chief legal counsel; Robby Greene, president of IMS Productions; and Doug Boles, president of Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation.

O'Donnell recently served as Ford's group marketing manager for electric vehicles in Detroit, where he was recognized for the launch of several hybrid vehicles and has orchestrated a record year for hybrid and electric vehicle sales. During his 20-year career with Ford, he also has led marketing for the Lincoln and Jaguar brands domestically and abroad and was a member of a small team that led the turnaround of the Mazda brand.

"There's a lot of strength in the combined horsepower of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and INDYCAR," O'Donnell said. "Initially, I'll focus my energy on a common brand and clear message for our fans. This will include working together with our key stakeholders and ensuring marketing alignment among teams, drivers, sponsors and venues."

O'Donnell will lead a combined team of INDYCAR and IMS marketing and communications staff.

Frye led the transformation of the Red Bull Racing Team in NASCAR Sprint Cup into a contender that earned a berth in the 2009 Chase for the Championship during his tenure as vice president and general manager from 2008-11. In addition, he spent 12 years at MB2 Motorsports, LLC, a NASCAR Sprint Cup team he helped build from the ground up into a multi-team operation. As the chief executive officer and general manager, he negotiated what was an industry-first - a sponsorship/ownership package with The Valvoline Company.

Frye also has other sales and marketing experience, including several years with Anheuser-Busch.

"INDYCAR's value proposition for sponsors is second to none as it provides fans with a great racing product, and with IMS, we have incredible history and tradition," Frye said. "For our teams and fans, we will work hard to bring sponsor/partners into the sport that will enhance the overall fan experience. It's an exciting opportunity, and I look forward to being a part of the team."

Frye will lead a combined team of INDYCAR and IMS sponsorship sales, licensing and account services staff. IMS suite and hospitality sales will remain an IMS function under Boles' direction.

IMS PR

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick took a detour on his way to Phoenix International Raceway on Wednesday, stopping in his hometown of Bakersfield, Calif., to host the Fourth Annual Happy's Classic Golf Tournament Presented by Advanced Distribution and Blackhole Technologies. 

Proceeds from the tournament, held at Bakersfield Country Club, benefit the Kevin Harvick Foundation, dedicated to the support of programs that positively enrich the lives of children throughout the United States.

As part of a continuing effort to support athletics at North High School, Harvick's alma mater in Bakersfield, the Kevin Harvick Foundation also surprised the school's golf teams with a donation of 21 sets of new golf clubs, golf bags, putters and team apparel. Additionally, the Foundation honored its newest student athlete with the presentation of the Kevin Harvick Athletic Scholarship to California State University-Bakersfield student athlete Coleman Hammond. Hammond, a member of the university's wrestling team, received a one-year, full scholarship toward his college education.

"It's always fun to take a quick break from the pressures of the NASCAR championship this time of year and spend it in my hometown and with some of its students," said Harvick, a former North High School wrestler and 1994 graduate. "Happy's Classic continues to grow every year to help more and more underprivileged children across the country, as well as North High School student athletes. I am so grateful to companies like Advanced Distribution, Blackhole Technologies and Cobra Puma Golf for helping the Kevin Harvick Foundation give these kids a brighter future."

The Kevin Harvick Athletic Scholarship exists to enable collegiate student athletes to pursue an undergraduate degree while participating in athletics.  It was first awarded to a California State University-Bakersfield (CSU-B) student athlete in 2010 as part of Harvick's effort to give back to his hometown community with a 12-year commitment to CSU-B. The Kevin Harvick Foundation also established a similar initiative at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. 

KHI PR

Daryl Harr will return to the cockpit of the iWorld Connect Chevrolet for Saturday’s ServiceMaster 200 Nationwide Series race at Phoenix International Raceway.

The race will be Harr’s sixth of the Nationwide season. He last drove the JD Motorsports with Gary Keller No. 4 Chevrolet in August at Iowa, finishing 25th.

“It’s good to be back with Johnny’s team and his guys,” Harr said. “Phoenix is a track I really like. It’s fast but sort of a short track, too. I think we can do well there.”

Harr will be sponsored by iWorld Connect (iworldconnect.com), an Apple premium reseller of computer equipment with four locations in western Canada.

Practice is scheduled at PIR at noon and 3:35 p.m. (ET) Friday. Qualifying is at 12:35 p.m. Saturday, with the race scheduled for 4 p.m.

JD Motorsports PR

Mike Wallace is ready to get the Phoenix ParTea started.

Wallace will ride with sponsorship from Verve! ParTea, the “insanely healthy” energy drink in Saturday’s ServiceMaster 200 Nationwide Series race at Phoenix International Raceway.

ParTea is a non-carbonated energy drink with a bright fruit tea flavor. Verve! is making its second run with Wallace in the JD Motorsports with Gary Keller 01 Chevrolet.

“We’re well-stocked with ParTea and ready to go this week,” Wallace said. “It’s great to have such a fine company – and such a great drink – on board with us again. With so little of the season left, we’re looking to have a big weekend at Phoenix.”

PIR has been a relatively successful track for Wallace, who scored a ninth-place finish at the speedway in 2008.

Practice is scheduled at PIR at noon and 3:35 p.m. (ET) Friday. Qualifying is at 12:35 p.m. Saturday, with the race scheduled for 4 p.m.

After the Phoenix race, the Nationwide season will end Nov. 16 at Homestead, Fla.

JD Motorsports PR