Published: September 21, 2010
Charlotte Motor Speedway and Panasonic Announce World's Largest HD Video Board
CONCORD, N.C. - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Continuing a tradition of innovation and fabulous firsts, Speedway
Motorsports Inc. (NYSE: TRK) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer O.
Bruton Smith and Charlotte Motor Speedway officials announced a
partnership with Panasonic to revolutionize the fan experience at
motorsports events with the creation of the world's largest
high-definition video board.
Panasonic will also become the founding sponsor of the video board and a
Speedway Motorsports Inc. alliance partner around its broad portfolio of
advanced technologies.
At an incredible length of 200 feet wide, standing 80 feet tall and
weighing 165,000 pounds, the video board will cover an expansive 16,000
square feet and be located between Turns 2 and 3 along the backstretch
of the legendary superspeedway. Fans seated throughout the frontstretch
from Turn 4 to Turn 1 will have clear viewing angles of the gigantic
board that will feature 720P high-definition visuals illuminated by more
than nine million light emitting diode, or LED, lamps.
"Charlotte Motor Speedway continually establishes itself as a pioneer
when it comes to one-of-a-kind, over-the-top facility enhancements that
change the game for motorsports fans," said Smith. "Fans will see this
like a gigantic television that will elevate the NASCAR experience in
ways they have never dreamed. It will give them a view of the on-track
action on the world's largest high-definition screen. The fans will feel
closer than ever before to the cars and stars of NASCAR at each event."
In addition to the live race coverage, the video board will provide fans
with interactive entertainment, continuous leaderboard updates, sponsor
information and instant replays.
"Panasonic is proud of our efforts to bring this spectacular new
high-definition scoreboard to Charlotte Motor Speedway," said James
Doyle, president, Panasonic Enterprise Solutions Company. "This amazing
example of industry-leading technology and engineering speaks volumes
about our strong relationship with Charlotte Motor Speedway as we work
together to bring innovative concepts to life and enhance the fan
experience.
"Panasonic worked closely with Charlotte Motor Speedway to design the
end-to-end system from the control room to this massive HD video board,"
Doyle added. "We are confident that the new Panasonic HD video board
system will leave fans awestruck and make their entire Charlotte Motor
Speedway experience that much more enjoyable and memorable."
Construction will begin on the video board following the Oct. 13-16 Bank
of America 500 Week at Charlotte Motor Speedway and is scheduled to be
complete by April, 2011.
Panasonic is now the exclusive audio/video provider of Charlotte Motor
Speedway with category exclusivity inclusive of camera, camcorder,
television, display, and Blu-ray.
The creation of the video board is the latest in a tradition of
trend-setting innovations and fabulous firsts at Charlotte Motor
Speedway during its 51-year history. Other notable firsts include:
-
600-Mile Race. In 1960, Charlotte Motor Speedway became the
first and only track to host a 600-mile NASCAR-sanctioned event. Now
known as the Coca-Cola 600, the race is still the longest and one of
the most prestigious on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule.
-
Luxury Condominiums. Charlotte Motor Speedway became the first
sports facility in America to offer year-round living accommodations
in 1984 when it released 40 condominiums for sale high above Turn 1.
Twelve additional condominiums were added in 1990.
-
The Speedway Club. Opened in 1988, The Speedway Club was the
first exclusive members-only private club to be constructed at a
motorsports facility. The club features restaurant seating for 240
people overlooking the frontstretch and expansive ballroom and
boardroom banquet facilities. Members enjoy a champagne toast with the
race winner after each Coca-Cola 600 and Bank of America 500.
-
Night Racing. Charlotte Motor Speedway became the first modern
speedway to offer night racing in 1992 after installing a
$1.7-million, 1,200-fixture permanent lighting system. The system was
different from any installed at other tracks in that it used a system
of adjustable mirrors surrounding the inside of the track to moderate
the light aimed at the drivers.
For daily updates on all activities at the Mecca of Motorsports, connect
with Charlotte Motor Speedway by following on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CLTMotorSpdwy
or become a Facebook fan at www.facebook.com/charlottemotorspeedway.
EDITOR'S NOTE: High-resolution artist renderings of the new video
board to accompany this press release can be downloaded from the
Releases tab on Charlotte Motor Speedway's digital media site at: www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/photos
About Panasonic
Panasonic Enterprise Solutions Company is a unit of Panasonic
Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of
Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC). The company develops and provides
customized and integrated technology-based systems solutions for
enterprise customers in the sports and entertainment industries as well
as in the education sector. To learn more about the company or read case
studies about solutions created for other customers, visit http://www.panasonic.com/business/enterprise/enterprise-solutions-company.asp
About Charlotte Motor Speedway
For 51 years, Charlotte Motor Speedway has set the standard for
motorsports entertainment and evolved into "The Greatest Place to See
the Race." Nestled in the heart of NASCAR country, Charlotte Motor
Speedway is the only race vacation destination where fans can immerse
themselves in the sport by visiting area race team shops and touring the
NASCAR Hall of Fame before attending a race at the legendary 1.5-mile
superspeedway. Generating a regional economic impact of approximately
$400 million annually, the speedway hosts three premiere NASCAR events
each year - the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, the Coca-Cola 600 and the
Bank of America 500 - as well as more than three dozen other events for
automotive and motorsports enthusiasts of all ages. Charlotte Motor
Speedway's philosophy is to always put "Fans First" and create memories
that last a lifetime for all that pass through the gates. Charlotte
Motor Speedway is a subsidiary of Speedway Motorsports, Inc. (NYSE:TRK).
About Speedway Motorsports, Inc.
Speedway Motorsports is a leading marketer and promoter of motorsports
entertainment in the United States. The Company, through its
subsidiaries, owns and operates the following premier facilities:
Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor
Speedway, Infineon Raceway, Kentucky Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway,
New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway. The Company
provides souvenir merchandising services through its SMI Properties
subsidiaries; manufactures and distributes smaller-scale, modified
racing cars and parts through its US Legend Cars International
subsidiary; and produces and broadcasts syndicated motorsports
programming to radio stations nationwide through its Performance Racing
Network subsidiary. The Company also equally owns Motorsports
Authentics, a joint venture formed with International Speedway
Corporation to produce, market and sell licensed motorsports
merchandise. For more information, visit the Company's website at www.speedwaymotorsports.com.
This news release contains forward-looking statements, particularly
statements with regard to our future operations and financial results.
There are many factors that affect future events and trends of our
business including, but not limited to, economic factors, geopolitical
conditions, weather, the success of NASCAR and others as sanctioning
bodies, the success of our Motorsports Authentics merchandising joint
venture, capital projects and expansion, financing needs, and a host of
other factors both within and outside of management control. These
factors and other factors, including those contained in our Annual
Report on Form 10-K and subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form
10-Q, involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
results or events to differ materially from management's views and
expectations. Inclusion of any information or statement in this news
release does not necessarily imply that such information or statement is
material. The Company does not undertake any obligation to release
publicly revised or updated forward-looking information, and such
information included in this news release is based on information
currently available and may not be reliable after this date.
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Scott Cooper, 704-455-3209
or
Panasonic
Lesley
Poch, 201-271-3093
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