Friday, August 19, 2005

NASCAR Canada Day Promotion Hits GFS Marketplace 400 in Michigan, this Sunday

-- Thousands of Canadian NASCAR fans recognized during pre-race festivities --

-- TSN to televise race in High Definition, beginning at 2 p.m. ET --

TORONTO (August 18, 2005) – Every summer, thousands of Canadians travel to NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series races across the United States. In honour of this long-standing tradition, NASCAR Canada has created the inaugural NASCAR Canada Day at the GFS Marketplace 400 at Michigan International Speedway this Sunday, Aug. 21, offering Canadian NASCAR fans a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend the big race with complete VIP status.

NASCAR Canada Day contest winners and package holders will travel to Michigan International Speedway via Great Canadian Holidays & Coaches, where they will be treated to a uniquely Canadian NASCAR experience. They will have access to a Canadian hospitality area, tour the garage and pit areas, be escorted to an exclusive Canadian seating section, hear the Canadian anthem and a public address saluting Canadian fans in the crowd, and watch a coach with a uniquely Canadian paint scheme lap the track just prior to the race.

This marks the first officially organized NASCAR Canada Day event at MIS where the track formally recognizes Canadian fans in attendance.

The promotion features a total of eight grand prize packages, including travel, accommodation, suite passes, pit passes, food and beverage and a NASCAR gift package. NASCAR Canada Day promotional ballots were distributed earlier this summer through participating Sun Media newspapers and Mark’s Work Wearhouse stores. Additionally, 500 seats were reserved for package purchases through Great Canadian Holidays & Coaches.

“Over the years, Michigan International Speedway has become an annual destination for Canadian NASCAR fans,” said Randy Paul, Managing Director, NASCAR Canada. “The new NASCAR Canada Day promotion gives Canadian fans the rare chance to feel the power of NASCAR first-hand through a uniquely Canadian experience.”

Viewers at home can catch the GFS Marketplace 400 on TSN and TSN HD this Sunday (August 21) beginning at 2 p.m. ET.

NASCAR has a strong fan base in Canada with 5.8 million fans (one out of four Canadian adults). NASCAR is the No. 1 televised motorsport in Canada. TSN’s coverage of the 2005 Daytona 500 attracted a national average minute audience of 506,000 viewers*, making it the most watched motorsport race ever in TSN’s 21-year history.





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About NASCAR Canada:
NASCAR Canada supports the continued growth of the NASCAR fan base and further extends the popular NASCAR brand in Canada through sponsorship and licensing opportunities, marketing initiatives, multi-platform media programs and grassroots projects. Established in June 2004, NASCAR Canada is a joint venture between NASCAR and TSN and operated by TSN Events.

About TSN Events:
Established in 2003, TSN Events develops a variety of original branded programming and event platforms to complement TSN’s traditional live sports and news coverage. TSN Events acquires sports marketing rights, creates original programming and grassroots initiatives, and leverages the strength and capabilities of the TSN brand to meet customer objectives and exceed fan expectations. TSN Events’ assets include NASCAR Canada, the Degree Poker Championship and the 9-Ball Billiards Border Battle.

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*Source: Nielsen Media Research. All audience figures are 2+

Contacts:
Andrea Goldstein, Director of Communications, NASCAR Canada, W-416.332.7575, C-647.224.8800
Matthew Garrow, Communications Officer, NASCAR Canada, W-416.332.7599, C-416.859.4738

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