Sprint All Star Race and Media Celebrities

This week Charlotte is all about racing and Lowes Motor Speedway is the place to be.

NASCAR is building up to the Coca Cola 600 on memorial day weekend, with its Sprint All-Star Race for a million dollars. The top drivers will compete in a final segment which will have only 10 laps for this million dollar prize. Driver Kasey Kahne compared it to driving the way they did when he first started racing as a youth.

The All-Star race is special this year as it is in its 25th running. Celebrities such as Kevin Costner and America's Most Wanted John Walsh are here to participate. Country Duo Montgomery Gentry will be the featured artists at the race.

This is one of the most fun days for NASCAR drivers. Many of the drivers live and work near Lowes Motor Speedway in Concord, NC and have a chance to drive in front of family and friends.
Posted by Andrew Kaplan at 4:23 AM
Labels: Lowes Motor Speedway, Nascar, Sprint All Star Cha

Motorsports invades Charlotte

Each year in May, two of the largest NASCAR events are planned two weekends in a row, The SPRINT Million Dollar All-Star Race and the Coca Cola 600. This year is the 50th running of the Coca Cola 600. Some of the highlights for the week will be:

1) A Quarter mile Grill on Friday, May 22nd at the Speedway with 7,000 lbs of charcoal and 100 cooks and celeb chefs serving hot dogs and hamburgers.
2) Speed Street - Uptown Charlotte is a festival of NASCAR fans, brands and music. 2 major music stages will be set up and Clint Black will be playing
3) At Lowes Motor Speedway, actor Kevin Costner and his band will be the warmup for country music band,
4) The military is saluted at the Coca Cola 600. The Marine Corp band will be playing at 3 pm on Saturday. There also are usually flyovers, helicopters, and parachuting before the race.
5) World of Outlaws at the Dirt Track (5/22)
6) Pole Night - this is a great way to see NASCAR for the first time and an inexpensive ticket. This night determines who sits on the pole for the Coca Cola 600 (5/21)
7) Carquest Autoparts 300 (5/23)

For more detailed schedules: http://www.lowesmotorspeedway.com/schedules/

LinktoCharlotte is getting active on Twitter

LinktoCharlotte on Twitter (@linktocharlotte) will be pushing out events in the Charlotte area on a daily basis. If you are a member of www.linktocharlotte and would like you event to be twittered by us. Just send us a note as a direct message on twitter with the details or e-mail Andrew Kaplan on the LinktoCharlotte.com network.

If you are interested in the Charlotte, NC area and are thinking of moving here. LinktoCharlotte and our network is the place to be. You can find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and NING.

If you don't know what twitter is, just go to www.twitter.com and spend a few minutes to set up an account. It is what we call micro-blogging.

LinktoCharlotte Mentioned in Mashable.com article

LinktoCharlotte just surpassed its 2000th member this month. We are now receiving recognition on how we built a successful social network.

Here is the link the the article
"12 Inspiring Stories of Successful Social Networkers"
http://mashable.com/2009/04/28/grow-social-network/

LinktoCharlotte Turns Two Years Old

LinktoCharlotte turns two this month. It has been an interesting journey building a community online. We first started out with a small group that grew to about 70 people in our first month and had our first meeting at the Carolina Panthers executive meeting room with 15 people. We have expanded from there to be on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and NING platforms. Each platform allows us to add or attract a diverse group of members interested in social media and networking.

About 20% of our members are people who are thinking or planning to move to Charlotte or are interested in networking here using virtual tools.

Today, our community is flourishing growing by 50+ members a week on LinkedIn and now on our new NING Site we have reached the 200 member mark. I have found the 200 person mark is a catalyst for larger growth, so we are now ready to begin to reach out to members with live events, online events, a newsletter and other activities.

We are beginning to talk to organizations who believe in this concept and are willing to sponsor or support this endeavor. We can reach 2000+ professionals on LinkedIn, the creative community on Facebook and all the Twitterverse.

In addition, we are working with other cities such as Phoenix, San Diego, and Las Vegas to begin to build those as well in 2009. In addition we have a significant group for LinktoMotorsports on LinkedIn which overlaps with its membership with LinktoCharlotte, so we have great momentum.

If you are interested in helping with publicity, community management, creation and support of our blog, speaking/sponsoring events or helping us find sponsorships. Please contact me at ewarriorbizdev@gmail.com or 704-293-2151.

LinktoCharlotte.com - 2009 Plans, Plots and Parties

MediaMensch Networks has successfully launched a new platform for www.linktocharlotte.com and have attracted over 75 new members within the first month of launching. Since mid-2007 we have been working with the professional community in Charlotte helping them connect with each other. As of today, LinktoCharlotte has over 1400 members on LinkedIn.

Why multiple platforms? Think about a tool kit. The purpose of LinkedIn is for professional to network. Much of their information is hidden from others unless you are directly connected. It is also very difficult to find a large group of contacts in Charlotte and promote yourself to that group. So our new platform, developed on NING.com allows for posting of photos, videos, blog posts and is easy to navigate.

The founder is one of the early adopters of social media technology and has built that practice on his background as one of the first sales automation/crm consultants in the world (started in 1987).

In 2009, we intend bring education and opportunities to our members to learn how to be "professional networkers" both on-line and in person. If you are a member and would like to speak or help out to promote the value of this network, please contact Andrew Kaplan. (Hint: you can find him on www.linktocharlotte.com).

If you use Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, NING or any other emerging social media tool, you will find this of use.

If you are on Twitter you can follow:
www.twitter.com/linktocharlotte
www.twitter.com/coachkaplan (tips and tricks for social media)

If you are interested in sponsoring an event or financially supporting this endeavor, we will be interested in speaking with you.

Innovative Family , Food, Fun and Finances at Lowes Motor Speedway

Speedway Lowers Cost of Bank of America 500 Race Experience
Through Ticket, Hotel, Souvenir and Concession Savings

CONCORD, N.C. (July 22, 2008) - Building on Benjamin Franklin's
simple concept of, "a penny saved is a penny earned," Lowe's Motor Speedway
has developed a multi-faceted program to lower the cost of attending a
NASCAR race despite rising fuel costs during these difficult economic
conditions.
Working with area hotel operators, its souvenir and concession
vendors and corporate sponsors, Lowe's Motor Speedway has reduced the
overall cost for fans to attend the Bank of America 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup
Series race on Saturday night, Oct. 11.
"Consumers are constantly faced with very difficult economic
decisions and we've worked hard to make attending our race a more affordable
entertainment opportunity. It should be about fun, not finances," said
Marcus Smith, president and general manager of Lowe's Motor Speedway. "We've
been able to make this a group effort. Not only have we put together a
ticket package that will save race fans 30 percent, they will also enjoy
reduced prices on hotel rooms, concession items and souvenirs."
In an unprecedented move for a NASCAR race market, 35 hotels located
within approximately 30 miles of Lowe's Motor Speedway have agreed to reduce
their nightly race week room rates by 15 percent and waive their minimum
stay requirements.
"Collaborative efforts such as this are the essence of the Charlotte
region," said Tim Newman, chief executive officer of the Charlotte Regional
Visitors Authority. "We are proud to represent the hospitality industry in
this unique promotion. The hotels understand the importance of NASCAR here
in Charlotte, and truly embrace it by giving fans the extra incentive to
enjoy the fantastic sport that helps define this region."
"Lodging is a major expense for race fans and we greatly appreciate
the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority working with its member hotels to
roll back prices and eliminate minimum stay requirements," said Smith. "The
CRVA is truly setting an example for other NASCAR markets around the
country."
In conjunction with Circle K and Coca-Cola, Lowe's Motor Speedway
has introduced the Circle K Family Four-Pack for just $159.
The unique race-day experience includes four reserved Diamond Tower
seats for the Oct. 11 Bank of America 500 along with four hot dogs and four
20-ounce Coca-Colas. The $159 price represents a savings of 30 percent if
the same tickets and concession items were purchased separately.
In addition, each person purchasing the Family Four-Pack will
receive a coupon for a free 12-pack of Coke Zero that may be redeemed at a
participating Circle K store.
The savings will continue when fans arrive at the speedway for the
Bank of America 500, round five of the 10-race Chase for the NASCAR Sprint
Cup. A special souvenir package, featuring a Lowe's Motor Speedway T-shirt
and hat that would normally sell for $48, will be available for just $20. At
concession stands, fans will find four new combination packages reflecting
10 to 25 percent savings on their favorite items.
Race fans are reminded that Lowe's Motor Speedway offers 160 acres
of free parking and numerous affordable camping options are also available.
Coolers, limited to 14 inches in any direction, are also permitted in the
grandstands.
Bank of America 500 Week also includes the Dollar General 300 NASCAR
Nationwide Series race on Friday night, Oct. 10; Bojangles' Pole Night
qualifying on Thursday night, Oct. 9; and the Vienna Sausage Southern
Showdown World of Outlaws Late Model Series race on Wednesday night, Oct. 8,
at The Dirt Track.
To take advantage of these savings, fans should call the Lowe's
Motor Speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS or visit
www.lowesmotorspeedway.com.


The following Charlotte area hotels have reduced nightly room rates by 15
percent and waived minimum stay requirements for the Bank of America 500
Week races at Lowe's Motor Speedway. In order to obtain the discounted rate,
race fans must request the Speedway Special when making reservations.

Ballantyne Resort (704) 248-4000
10000 Ballantyne Commons Park Way, Charlotte, N.C. 28277

Bed & Bike Inn (704) 463-0768
15750 Matton Grove Church Road, Gold Hill, N.C. 28071

Best Western Airport Charlotte (704) 394-4111
2625 Little Rock Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28214

Charlotte Airport Comfort Suites (704) 971-4400
3425 Mulberry Church Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28208

Charlotte Marriott Center City (704) 333-9000
100 West Trade Street, Charlotte, N.C. 28202

Comfort Inn at Carowinds (803) 548-5200
3725 Avenue of the Carolinas, Fort Mill, S.C. 29708

Courtyard by Marriott - Charlotte/Airport (704) 319-9900
2700 Little Rock Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28214

Courtyard by Marriott Arrowood (704) 527-5055
800 Arrowood Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28217

Courtyard by Marriott Ballantyne (704) 341-0041
15660 John J. Delaney Drive, Charlotte, N.C. 28277

Courtyard by Marriott Gastonia (704) 852-4411
1856 Remount Road, Gastonia, N.C. 28054

Courtyard by Marriott Matthews (704) 846-4466
11425 East Independence Boulevard, Matthews, N.C. 28105

Courtyard by Marriott Southpark (704) 552-7333
6023 Park South Drive, Charlotte, N.C. 28210

Doubletree Hotel Charlotte Gateway Village (704) 347-0070
895 West Trade Street, Charlotte, N.C. 28202

Duke Mansion (704) 714-4400
400 Hermitage Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28207

Fairfield Inn by Marriott Gastonia (704) 867-5073
1860 Remount Road, Gastonia, N.C. 28054

Hampton Inn - Monroe (704) 220-2200
2368 Roland Drive, Monroe, N.C. 28110

Hampton Inn & Suites SouthPark at Phillips Place (704) 319-5700
6700 Phillips Place Court, Charlotte, N.C. 28210

Hampton Inn University Place (704) 548-0905
8419 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, N.C. 28262

Hilton Center City (704) 377-1500
222 East 3rd Street, Charlotte, N.C. 28202

Hilton Charlotte Executive Park (704) 527-8000
5624 Westpark Drive, Charlotte, N.C. 28217

Hilton Garden Inn Ayrsley (704) 499-9493
1920 Ayrsley Town Boulevard, Charlotte, N.C. 28273

Hilton Garden Inn Pineville (704) 889-3279
425 Towne Centre Boulevard, Pineville, N.C. 28134

Holiday Inn Airport (704) 394-4301
2707 Little Rock Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28214

Holiday Inn University Executive Park (704) 547-0999
8520 University Executive Park Dr, Charlotte, N.C. 28262

Hyatt Summerfield Suites Charlotte Airport (704) 525-2600
4920 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, N.C. 28217

Microtel Airport (704) 398-9601
3412 Queen City Drive, Charlotte, N.C. 28208

Morehead Inn (704) 376-3357
1122 East Morehead Street, Charlotte, N.C. 28204

Ramada Airport South and Conference Center (704) 525-8350
212 West Woodlawn Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28217

Residence Inn by Marriott University (704) 547-1122
8503 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, N.C. 28262

Sleep Inn Lake Norman (704) 766-2500
16508 Northcross Drive, Huntersville, N.C. 28078

SpringHill Suite by Marriott - Charlotte/Airport (704) 405-6061
3055 Scott Futrell Drive, Charlotte, N.C. 28208

Staybridge Suites Ballantyne (704) 248-5000
15735 John J. Delaney Drive, Charlotte, N.C. 28277

Staybridge Suites Charlotte Arrowood (704) 527-6767
7924 Forest Pine Drive, Charlotte, N.C. 28273

VanLandingham Estate (704) 334-8909
2010 The Plaza, Charlotte, N.C. 28205

Wingate Inn Charlotte South (704) 523-3366
6057 Nations Ford Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28217
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