30th NASCAR Media Tour Launches
THIRTIETH MEDIA TOUR LAUNCHES FOR 2012
(CONCORD, NC - JAN 23, 2012 - RIS) Media from across the globe and nation descended on Concord, NC and the
Charlotte Motor Speedway vicinity for this year's NASCAR Sprint Cup Media Tour Hosted by Charlotte Motor Speedway. Bringing the media and stars of NASCAR's top series together pre-season is a 30-year tradition, harking back to the 1983 edition. Only a few of the original attendees are present, however as time has claimed numerous writers to that big city desk.
CMS' vice president of communications, Scott Cooper, launched the 30th Tour by introducing his staff, then the first formal function (lunch!) began. Hosted by Stewart-Haas Racing, the expected humor showed as owner/driver Tony Stewart held court. Competition Director (or whatever Matt's title really is!) Matt Borland was asked if he ever thought about getting back into a Formula V, where he used to race in sports car club racing. His response was an emphatic "all the time!"
Danica Patrick will be running a Cup car out of the SHR stables this season, including a shot at the Coca-Cola 600 "or six thousand - they tell me it's a long day" in May.
Joe Gibbs Racing next held a session with Coach Gibbs, JD, Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano, plus crew chiefs and Nationwide drivers. Gibbs did not mention the three re-signing sponsors by name, but then probably let their names drop more subtly in a chat. Regardless, his team is one of the more successful in attracting and holding major sponsors.
We'll be headed to Michael Waltrip Racing in a little under an hour now for the night's session there.
Thanks to the Speedway, Sprint and NASCAR for hosting the week's activities.
RIS Photos by John Davison
John Davison
Long-time RIS staffer, beginning in the mid-80s. Charlotte, NC area local contact.