California Speedway Receives Television Advertisement Award from California Travel and Tourism Commission

In recognition of the highest quality in tourism advertising, marketing and public relations, the California Travel and Tourism Commission (CTTC) presented the twelfth annual California Tourism Marketing Excellence Awards at the California Conference on Tourism on Wednesday, March 29, 2006. California Speedway, the west coast's premier motorsports venue, received the "Best Television Advertisement (Under $50,000)" for the Pledge Allegiance commercial for the 2006 Auto Club 500.

NASCAR stars Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Elliott Sadler and Kasey Kahne were featured in California Speedway's commercial which aired regionally and nationally to promote the 2006 West Coast Premiere of NASCAR in February. The drivers pledge their allegiance to the thrill of NASCAR at California Speedway. Some audio excerpts from the commercial include pledge allegiance to: "500 miles in the California sun," "the second race of the season being as important as the first," "home track advantage," "traffic at 183 mph," "stars who don't need stuntmen," "goosebumps" culminating with "I pledge allegiance to the flag." Visual elements in the spot include the checkered flag, racing action, candids of the drivers, footage of fans and track atmosphere.

This is the first time California Speedway has entered the California Tourism Marketing Excellence Awards competition. The 60-second commercial was produced and directed by the Santa Monica based "Ballpark" and shot by "NASCAR Images."

An awards committee comprised of marketing professionals with tourism experience selected the top two finalists in each of the 12 categories from all the entries received. Of these top two finalists, the winner was selected according to a point system whereby the entry receiving the highest number of points was declared the winner. The other finalist in the "Best Television Advertisement (Under $50,000)" category was Sea World San Diego. The finalists were on display at the conference, where the attendees voted for the People's Choice Award in the Best Tourism Marketing Program and the Best Tourism Advertising Program.

NASCAR returns to California Speedway for a Labor Day Weekend tradition September 1-3, 2006. NEXTEL Cup competitors will be gunning for a spot in the "Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup" as the SONY HD 500 event plays a critical role in the "Race to the Chase." Last year, Kyle Busch became the youngest race winner ever in NASCAR's top division and drivers Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson, Greg Biffle, Rusty Wallace and Mark Martin solidified their place in the Chase with good showings at California Speedway. Labor Day weekend racing events at California Speedway will finish under the lights and includes the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series SONY HD 500 on Sunday, September 3; the NASCAR Busch Series Ameriquest 300 on Saturday, September 2; and the NASCAR Grand National Division, AutoZone West Series Relocate Here 200 presented by the County of San Bernardino on Friday, September 1.

For more information about the SONY HD 500 weekend at California Speedway, please visit www.californiaspeedway.com.

California Tourism Marketing Excellence Awards 2006

As announced, the winners are:

Best Cooperative Marketing
Sacramento Convention and Visitors Bureau
"Sacramento Gold Card Cooperative Marketing Program"

Best Direct Mailing or E-Marketing
SeaWorld San Diego
"Passport Renewal Campaign"

Best Magazine Advertising Campaign
San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau
"Good Vibes"

Best Newspaper Advertising Campaign
SeaWorld San Diego
"Los Angeles Resident Offer"

Best Niche Marketing
Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau and Film Commission
"Capturing the Foodie - A Recipe for Marketing Success"

Best Outdoor Advertising Campaign
Disneyland Resort
"Disneyland's 50th Anniversary Tourist In-Market Campaign"

Best Public Relations Campaign
City of Santa Rosa/Santa Rosa Convention and Visitors Bureau/Peanuts on Parade
"Peanuts on Parade - Santa Rosa's Tribute to Charles M. Schulz"

Best Visitor's Guide
Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism
"Palm Springs Official Visitor's Guide"

Best Radio Campaign
San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau
"Words Per Minute"

Best Television Advertisement (under $50,000)
California Speedway
"Pledge Allegiance"

Best Television Advertisement (over $50,000)
SeaWorld San Diego
"Fun Card"

Amtrak California
"Travel Made Simple Branding"

Best Web Site
San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau
"www.sandiego.org"

Best Marketing Activity (under $25,000)
North Lake Tahoe Resort Association
"Pure Experiences Branding"

People's Choice - Best Tourism Marketing Program
Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau and Film Commission
"Capturing the Foodie: A Recipe for Marketing Success"

People's Choice - Best Tourism Advertising Program
Folsom Tourism Bureau
"Folsom Tourism Bureau Magazine Campaign"