HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. ? 02/07/2007 Sprint Nextel (NYSE: S) will open a revamped NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series-themed mobile-marketing display, known as the NEXTEL Experience, Friday, Feb. 9, at Daytona International Speedway. The official grand opening will take place Friday, Feb. 16, with a Fan Appreciation Day.
The NEXTEL Experience, which first launched in 2004, is a 10,000-square-foot interactive fan exhibit focused on Sprint Nextel products and NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series displays. The exhibit, designed and managed by JHE Production Group, will be open at every NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race this season. Admission is complimentary.
"Through our sponsorship of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, we strive to bring the fans closer to the sport, and the NEXTEL Experience is one of our most visible ways of achieving that goal," said Dean Kessel, director of NEXTEL Cup Series marketing for Sprint Nextel. "It provides a great place for race fans to sample our technology, listen to driver question-and-answer sessions, and learn more about the sport through our multi-dimensional show in the NEXTEL Theater."
One of many highlights new for 2007 is a state-of-the-art, multi-dimensional theater where race fans can watch a NASCAR-related show moderated by Rusty Wallace, the 1989 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Champion and current analyst for ESPN.
Other features include the NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge stage, photo opportunities with the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Trophy, six NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series simulators, and an interactive product display where race fans can test Sprint Nextel technology, send email messages and access the Internet via Sprint Mobile Broadband.
The NEXTEL Experience is always upbeat with a DJ and live show anytime the exhibit is open. On select race weekends, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series drivers and other notable guests are scheduled to visit the exhibit to give tech demonstrations and participate in question-and-answer sessions.
To commemorate the grand opening of the 2007 version of the NEXTEL Experience, race fans are invited to attend Fan Appreciation Day on Friday, Feb. 16, from noon - 7 p.m. The day will include VIP appearances every hour and numerous door prizes. One of the highlight giveaways will be 25 pairs of VIP stage-front tickets to NEXTEL Tribute to America featuring Kelly Clarkson, the pre-race concert for the DAYTONA 500®.
"We encourage fans to join us for Fan Appreciation Day," Kessel said. "This is our chance to give back to the race fans who have been so supportive of our sponsorship of their sport. There will be surprises throughout the day, so fans should plan to get there early to see the schedule of appearances and activities."
The NEXTEL Experience will be located off International Speedway Blvd. outside Turn 4 of Daytona International Speedway, just east of the main infield tunnel. For Speedweeks, it will be open Feb. 9-10 and Feb. 15-18.
