MIS fan Marti Honeycutt of Battle Creek, Mich., wins trip to this weekend’s Daytona 500
BROOKLYN, Mich. (Feb. 14, 2011) — Michigan International Speedway, Budweiser and FireKeepers Casino kicked off the start of the 2011 NASCAR season on Saturday during a Budweiser Shootout party attended by current and future race fans.
The casino hosted MIS, its partner Budweiser and hundreds of race fans, many of them festooned in their favorite drivers’ apparel, to watch the Budweiser Shootout from Dacey’s Sports Bar. The race, held on the newly paved Daytona International Speedway, proved to be an exciting three-way finish between Denny Hamlin, Ryan Newman and eventual winner Kurt Busch.
Fans and a few gamblers took advantage of numerous prizes given away throughout the night, including tickets and hospitality packages to MIS’ June and August events, as well as drink specials courtesy of Budweiser.
“We had a great turnout with many race fans attending the event,” speedway Director of Corporate Partnerships Josh Burgett said. “A big thanks goes to Budweiser and FireKeepers Casino for hosting the event with us and giving our fans an exciting start to the NASCAR season. Everyone really seemed to have a great time – and I think we even converted a few gamblers into NASCAR fans.”
In all, about 1,000 people signed up for prizes.
Marti Honeycutt of Battle Creek, Mich., who regularly attends NASCAR events at MIS, won the grand prize drawing of a trip for two to this weekend’s Daytona 500. She’ll make her first trip to Daytona with her husband James to watch the Great American Race.
“I’m so excited! My husband and I have always talked about saving up enough money to go to the Daytona 500 someday, but now that wish has come true sooner than we expected,” Honeycutt said. “This was a very fun event tonight. MIS and Budweiser made the party a lot of fun for us race fans and it was an exciting way to kick off the racing season. We can’t wait to get to Daytona this weekend and see the Daytona 500!”
The grand prize package includes airfare, hotel accommodations and tickets to the Daytona 500, Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series races, which are held on Feb. 18-20. Garage passes, a hauler tour of the No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet and meet and greet with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series superstar Kevin Harvick are all included in the package.
“What a trip this will be,” Honeycutt said. “Being able to meet Kevin Harvick and walk through the garage area is something that will be very special for me and my husband. Words can’t say enough for how excited we are.”
Another fan, Cheryl Carr of Sherwood, Mich., won a Budweiser fireplace during a random draw.
Carl Rhodes of Okemos, Mich., was at FireKeepers gambling with one of his friends, and stopped by after hearing the race excitement and cheers that radiated throughout Dacey’s Sports Bar.
“I heard cheers and announcements, and saw everyone wearing race T-shirts, and had to see what was going on,” Rhodes said. “It was great to see such excitement about the race that I stayed and watched for a bit. I haven’t been to a race in years – I was always a Davey Allison fan – so I may have to go back to the track.”
Nestled in the lush Irish Hills of Southeastern Michigan, Michigan International Speedway is the Great Escape, a venerable NASCAR national park where fans can get away and enjoy the very best in racing and camaraderie. It’s the love of racing and the thrill of a great time for race fans and drivers alike.
MIS’ Value Pricing ends on February 28. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series tickets for the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips 400 on June 19 and NSCS 400 on August 21 are as low as $25. Visit MISpeedway.com or call the MIS ticket hotline at 800-354-1010 today to take advantage of great pricing for 2011 events at MIS.
Michigan International Speedway – 2011 Schedule
Saturday, May 21 Great Lakes Wine Fest
Friday, June 17 ARCA Racing Series RainEater Wiper Blades 200
Saturday, June 18 NASCAR Nationwide Series
Sunday, June 19 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips 400
Friday, Aug. 19 Meijer Pole Day
Saturday, Aug. 20 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series VFW 200
Sunday, Aug. 21 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
