NHMS to give away 10 Toyota cars, over $250,000 in prizes

What’s behind curtain number one? That’s what fans attending the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series New Hampshire 300 at the Magic Mile on July 14 will be asking. Today in the Expo Center at the Radisson Hotel, New Hampshire Motor Speedway officials unveiled the “Toyota Wheel and Deal Pre-Race Show,” which will transform this summer’s frontstretch and pre-race stage into the world’s largest game show.

A scaled-down version of “Wheel and Deal” was played today, where fans won cash prizes, various NASCAR gear and the ultimate door prize – an opportunity to be one of the 43 contestants to play for a chance to win 10 new Toyota cars on July 14.

In the past, fans have watched pre-race concerts, acts and various entertainment performers as part of the pre-race festivities. This year, fans will be part of the pre-race celebration. Not only do 43 select fans have a chance to drive away with a new car, but any fan on hand for the New Hampshire 300 will have the opportunity to take part in this historic Magic Mile event.

“Our goal is to make New Hampshire Motor Speedway the destination for ‘wow’ for our fans,” said Jerry Gappens, executive vice president and general manager for the speedway. “This interactive fan pre-race sweepstakes is unprecedented in professional sporting events. With more than $250,000 in cars and prizes to be given away to fans, it definitely adds the ‘wow factor’ to our ongoing ‘FansFirst’ initiative.”

Contestants will be playing for prizes worth more than $250,000, including a case of Miller Lite per month for a year, products from September race sponsor SYLVANIA, Team O’Neil Rally School driving opportunities, a quart of Gifford’s Ice Cream per week for a year, racing merchandise, passes to an exclusive driver’s meeting and much more. But certainly it will be the 10 sparkling new 2013 Toyotas that will have the fans’ undivided attention. The cars will be given away through a variety of different games that will be loosely based on popular TV game shows with a racing twist.

With media, speedway officials and even the honorable Ted Gatsas, Mayor of Manchester, looking on, fans were given a small taste of this summer’s pre-show event today. The Valentine’s Day show was hosted by Jose Castillo, who will channel his inner Bob Barker again in July.

Contestants received everything from a personalized Valentine from Magic Mile mascot Milo the Moose to a New Hampshire Speedway T-shirt and hat to a tortoise. Tudor, a 15-year-old Sulcata Tortoise from the W.I.L.D. Center & Zoological Park of New England, was on hand, serving as a gag gift.

The big winner today, however, was Marlo McDaniel of Manchester, N.H. McDaniel was one of five contestants to join Castillo on stage to reveal their hidden prize. McDaniel uncovered a miniature Toyota car, signifying her inclusion as the first of 43 contestants to take part in July’s “Toyota Wheel and Deal Pre-Race Show.”

“This is just amazing, I’m so excited,” said McDaniel, who has attended every NASCAR race at NHMS for the last seven years. “I was looking forward to the race before, but now I can’t wait for it to get here. I need a car, too, so it works out perfect.”

The remaining 42 contestants will be chosen at random after the April 15 deadline. Fans that have already purchased tickets and those who buy tickets to the New Hampshire 300 between now and April 15 will be automatically entered. Non-purchase registration will also be available. A full list of the rules will be available on www.nhms.com.

NHMS