Written by NASCAR Public Relations | 19 August 2010

NASCAR announced today the 2011 schedule for its three national series, highlighted by several key changes for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

“The adjustments and realignment of the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule will make for an exciting race season next year,” said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France. “The revised schedule provides better situated dates for the tracks, a more challenging lineup for the drivers and ultimately more intrigue for the fans.”

One of those changes comes early, as the second race of the season will be held at Phoenix International Raceway on Feb. 27, a week after the season-opening Daytona 500. PIR replaces Auto Club Speedway in Week 2. Texas Motor Speedway fills in the vacated Phoenix spot on Saturday, April 9 for what will be an exciting night race in the Lone Star State.

Southern California’s Auto Club Speedway will now run its race date on March 27, providing the track and its fans an optimum point in the schedule.

The series’ 36-race schedule will feature two realigned events. A second Kansas Speedway date follows the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway and will be held on Sunday, June 5. And for the first time in a decade the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series realigns to a new track with a race at Kentucky Speedway. The Kentucky race will be held under the lights on Saturday, July 9.

The 2011 “Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup” – consisting of the season’s last 10 races, during which the NASCAR Sprint Cup championship is decided – will begin at Chicagoland Speedway on Sunday, Sept. 18.

Chicagoland’s previous race date was in early July, a slot that went to the realigned event at Kentucky. New Hampshire Motor Speedway, which previously had the first Chase date, will now have the second, on Sept. 25.

Also released today were the 2011 schedule for the NASCAR Nationwide Series, highlighted by a second race at Iowa and Chicagoland speedways, and the 2011 schedule for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, which will see nine races moved to different dates on the calendar.

All three national series – NASCAR Sprint Cup, NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series – will begin their seasons at Daytona International Speedway’s “Speedweeks,” with a weekend culminated by the Daytona 500. The traditional “non-points” Budweiser Shootout at Daytona will provide fans a NASCAR Sprint Cup preview, on Saturday night, Feb. 12, followed by qualifying for the “Great American Race” to be held on Sunday, Feb. 13.

All three series will end their seasons with another tradition – Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Nov. 18-20.

The NASCAR Nationwide Series will consist of 34 races, all featuring the new car that is being run a total of four times this season.

Iowa Speedway, which joined the schedule in 2009, receives a second date in 2011. The series will visit the Newton, Iowa, facility for the first time on Sunday, May 22 and return on Saturday, Aug. 6.

A new date has been added at Chicagoland Speedway on Saturday, June 4. The series returns on Saturday, Sept. 17 as part of a NASCAR national series tripleheader featuring the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series on Sunday, Sept. 18 and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series on Friday, Sept. 16.

Last season’s successful inaugural event at the Road America road course in Wisconsin returns in 2011 on Saturday, June 25, the weekend before the Friday, July 1 race at Daytona International Speedway.

A previous stand-alone event at Kentucky Speedway now will be part of the inaugural NASCAR Sprint Cup/NASCAR Nationwide Series weekend on Friday, July 8.

The NASCAR Nationwide Series will be paired with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series on three weekends, at Nashville Superspeedway on Saturday, April 23 and Saturday, July 23 and at O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis on Saturday, July 30.

The 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will consist of 25 races, one of which will be announced at a future date.

Phoenix International Raceway, which traditionally hosted the penultimate race in November, will host the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series on Friday, Feb. 25.

Darlington Raceway, which returned to the schedule in 2010 after an absence of six years, moves from August to Saturday, March 12.

Michigan International Speedway’s truck race, previously held in June, will accompany its late-summer NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Saturday, Aug. 20.

Two additional date shifts in the fall have stand-alone events at Kentucky Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway, moving a month later on the schedule. The series races at Kentucky on Saturday, Oct. 1 followed by Las Vegas on Saturday, Oct. 15.

2011 NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES SCHEDULE

Date                             Site

Feb. 12                       Daytona International Speedway (Budweiser Shootout At Daytona *)

Feb. 13                         Daytona 500 Qualifying

Feb. 20                         Daytona International Speedway

Feb. 27                         Phoenix International Raceway

March 6                        Las Vegas Motor Speedway

March 20                      Bristol Motor Speedway

March 27                      Auto Club Speedway

April 3                          Martinsville Speedway

April 9                          Texas Motor Speedway

April 17                        Talladega Superspeedway

April 30                        Richmond International Raceway

May 7                           Darlington Raceway

May 15                         Dover International Speedway

May 21                         Charlotte Motor Speedway (NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race *)

May 29                         Charlotte Motor Speedway

June 5                          Kansas Speedway

June 12                        Pocono Raceway

June 19                        Michigan International Speedway

June 26                        Infineon Raceway

July 2                           Daytona International Speedway

July 9                           Kentucky Speedway

July 17                         New Hampshire Motor Speedway

July 31                         Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Aug. 7                          Pocono Raceway

Aug. 14                        Watkins Glen International

Aug. 21                        Michigan International Speedway

Aug. 27                        Bristol Motor Speedway

Sept. 4                         Atlanta Motor Speedway

Sept. 10                        Richmond International Raceway

Sept. 18                        Chicagoland Speedway

Sept. 25                        New Hampshire Motor Speedway

Oct. 2                           Dover International Speedway

Oct. 9                           Kansas Speedway

Oct. 15                         Charlotte Motor Speedway

Oct. 23                         Talladega Superspeedway

Oct. 30                         Martinsville Speedway

Nov. 6                          Texas Motor Speedway

Nov. 13                         Phoenix International Raceway

Nov. 20                         Homestead-Miami Speedway

* – Denotes non-point event.

2011 NASCAR NATIONWIDE SERIES SCHEDULE

Date                             Site

Feb. 19                         Daytona International Speedway

Feb. 26                         Phoenix International Raceway

March 5                        Las Vegas Motor Speedway

March 19                      Bristol Motor Speedway

March 26                      Auto Club Speedway

April 8                          Texas Motor Speedway

April 16                        Talladega Superspeedway

April 23                        Nashville Superspeedway

April 29                        Richmond International Raceway

May 6                           Darlington Raceway

May 14                         Dover International Speedway

May 22                         Iowa Speedway

May 28                         Charlotte Motor Speedway

June 4                          Chicagoland Speedway

June 18                        Michigan International Speedway

June 25                        Road America

July 1                           Daytona International Speedway

July 8                           Kentucky Speedway

July 16                         New Hampshire Motor Speedway

July 23                         Nashville Superspeedway

July 30                         O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis

Aug. 6                          Iowa Speedway

Aug. 13                        Watkins Glen International

Aug. 20                        Circuit Gilles Villeneuve Montreal

Aug. 26                        Bristol Motor Speedway

Sept. 3                         Atlanta Motor Speedway

Sept. 9                         Richmond International Raceway

Sept. 17                        Chicagoland Speedway

Oct. 1                           Dover International Speedway

Oct. 8                           Kansas Speedway

Oct. 14                         Charlotte Motor Speedway

Nov. 5                          Texas Motor Speedway

Nov. 12                         Phoenix International Raceway

Nov. 19                         Homestead-Miami Speedway

2011 NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES SCHEDULE

Date                             Site

Feb. 18                         Daytona International Speedway

Feb. 25                         Phoenix International Raceway

March 12                      Darlington Raceway

April 2                          Martinsville Speedway

April 22                        Nashville Superspeedway

May 13                         Dover International Speedway

May 20                         Charlotte Motor Speedway

June 4                          Kansas Speedway

June 10                        Texas Motor Speedway

July 16                         Iowa Speedway

July 22                         Nashville Superspeedway

July 29                         O’Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis

Aug. 6                          Pocono Raceway

Aug. 20                        Michigan International Speedway

Aug. 24                        Bristol Motor Speedway

Sept. 2                         Atlanta Motor Speedway

Sept. 16                        Chicagoland Speedway

Sept. 24                        New Hampshire Motor Speedway

Oct. 1                           Kentucky Speedway

Oct. 15                         Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Oct. 22                         Talladega Superspeedway

Oct. 29                         Martinsville Speedway

Nov. 4                          Texas Motor Speedway

Nov. 18                         Homestead-Miami Speedway

Note: one additional date to be added

Written by Amanda Cobb/BAM Media | 16 August 2010

One of the great names of motorsport’s recent era, Helio Castroneves, is the latest international star to be included on the entry list for this year’s Armor All Gold Coast 600 on the streets of Surfers Paradise from October 22-24.

The three-time Indy 500 winner and current IZOD IndyCar Series star will co-drive with talented youngster Tim Slade in the Wilson Security entry, prepared by Stone Brothers Racing.

Castroneves was originally unavailable when invitations were first issued to what is shaping as the world’s greatest touring car event, but his “dance card” was empty when asked if he could be a replacement for former F1 driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen, who retired from active competition this week.

The inclusion of Castroneves means that the field will now include the last four Indy 500 winners and five of the top six drivers on the current IndyCar Series points table.

It will also mean that Castroneves will join his regular teammates Will Power and Ryan Briscoe, who are also a part of the legendary Team Penske organisation.

The international list is a who’s who of world motorsport including former Formula 1, CART and Indy 500 champion, Jacques Villeneuve.

The list includes current international Australian aces David Brabham, Ryan Briscoe and Will Power, Kiwi Scott Dixon, Scottish ace and former Gold Coast Champ Car race winner Dario Franchitti, North America’s most successful road course racer and 1997 Gold Coast winner, Scott Pruett, four-time Champ Car and two-time Gold Coast winner Sebastien Bourdais from France, former European F1 drivers and current touring car and sportscar guns Tiago Monteiro (Portugal), Mika Salo (Finland), Andy Priaulx (UK), Gianni Morbidelli (Italy), Fabrizio Giovanardi (Italy), Alain Menu (Switzerland) and Yvan Muller (France).

Ironically, the top six in last weekend’s IRL race at Mid-Ohio – Franchitti, Power, Castroneves, Tagliani, Dixon and Briscoe – are in the Gold Coast field.

Five of those drivers – Power, Franchitti, Dixon, Briscoe and Castroneves currently sit in positions one through five in the title chase.

“The Gold Coast holds some fantastic memories for me as one of the world’s great motorsport events,” said Castroneves.

“When the concept for the Gold Coast 600 was announced I was disappointed I could not make it, but the withdrawal of Heinz-Harald (Frentzen) has given me another chance to accept an invitation and I am very excited.

“I loved watching the V8 Supercars when we were down in Australia in 2008 and I watch as many races as I can on Speed Channel here in the US.

“The Gold Coast 600 is going to provide a unique challenge for all the international drivers and one which I am sure is going to be taken very seriously by each one of them.

“Linking with a young talent like Tim Slade and the Wilson Security team means we will be competitive – especially with preparation from Stone Brothers Racing which obviously did a great job for Marcos Ambrose a few years ago.

“The Gold Coast is one of the world’s most beautiful places and it would be nice to leave there with one of those famous surfboard trophies.”

The inclusion of Castroneves also provides the event with its first Brazilian driver and opens up a new market for fans and media opportunities.

And what does Tim Slade think about his new co-driver?

“Are you kidding me?, a three time Indy 500 winner! Helio is one of the fastest guys on the planet and it will be a pleasure to have him as part of our team for the Armor All Gold Coast 600,” said Slade.

“Obviously the V8 Supercars are going to be different to most of the stuff currently driven by all the international drivers, but it should not take them too long to get up to speed.

“Helio is known for his signature victory celebration of climbing the fence after taking the checkered flag. It would be great if we could be both climbing the fence on the Gold Coast in October.”

Sport Minister Phil Reeves said the Gold Coast just opened its doors to a much larger television audience.

“V8 fans from around the world know how great this form of racing is, and with the inclusion of Helio Castroneves, plenty more Americans and Brazilians are about to find out,” Mr Reeves said.

License holder for the Slade/Castroneves entry, South Australia’s James Rosenberg, was excited at the prospect of his Gold Coast endurance line-up.

“I think having someone of Helio’s ability and stature will be fantastic for Tim, our team and the event as a whole,” said Rosenberg.

“The entire Gold Coast event is a fantastic concept and I don’t think people really understand how big this event is going to be. Obviously the inclusion of Helio will only add to that.”

His witty attitude and bright smile coupled with his unpredictable outbursts of unbridled enthusiasm make Castroneves one of the shining stars in all of motorsports and have landed him on the pages of People, Newsweek, TV Guide, Esquire and Maxim magazines.

In 2007, Castroneves brought his incredible passion for life to a much wider audience when he competed on ABC Television’s hit show “Dancing with the Stars", which he won!

He has since parlayed his stay in the entertainment world into working as a correspondent for "Entertainment Tonight."

It is those off-track qualities as much as his on-track skill, which makes him a perfect inclusion for the Armor All Gold Coast 600, according to V8 Supercars CEO, Martin Whitaker.

“Helio Castroneves has been one of the biggest names in world motorsports for the last decade and we are thrilled that he can be a part of the new-look Armor All Gold Coast 600 in October,” said Whitaker.

“He is a class act, as you would expect from a Team Penske driver. He is a superstar in the US and Brazil and we cannot wait to see what he does behind the wheel of a V8 Supercar.

“We have to thank Roger Penske and his team for allowing his trio to be involved in this event and wish them every success for the remainder of the IndyCar season.”

All of the international drivers for the Armor All Gold Coast 600 are set to arrive on the Gold Coast on the Sunday before the event and will be involved in a week of activity, including a full-day test at Queensland Raceway on Wednesday, October 20.

The Armor All Gold Coast 600 will include two 300km races on Saturday and Sunday of the event, with the international drivers required to complete a minimum of 30% of each of the races.

Tickets are now on sale for the Armor All Gold Coast 600, with Friday admission tickets starting from just $49 and three day passes from just $136, with each ticket providing admission to not only the day’s racing but also the same night’s entertainment line-up at 600 Sounds. Visit ticketek.com.au or call 132 849 for more information or to purchase.

International Drivers
Please see below for a full list of the 18 international drivers for the Armor All Gold Coast 600. For the two-car teams with one international driver, expect confirmation of which car the international will compete in following the Bathurst endurance event over October 7-10.

- Sebastien Bourdais – France – Dick Johnson Racing
- David Brabham – Australia – IRWIN Racing
- Ryan Briscoe – Australia – Toll Holden Racing Team
- Helio Castroneves - Brazil - Wilson Security Racing
- Scott Dixon – NZ – Jack Daniel’s Racing
- Dario Franchitti – Scotland – Jim Beam Racing
- Fabrizio Giovanardi – Italy – Brad Jones Racing
- Patrick Long – USA – Fujitsu Racing
- Alain Menu – Switzerland –Brad Jones Racing
- Tiago Monteiro – Portugal – Centaur Racing
- Gianni Morbidelli – Italy – Triple F Racing
- Yvan Muller – France – Paul Morris Motorsport
- Will Power – Australia – Ford Performance Racing
- Andy Priaulx – UK – TeamVodafone
- Scott Pruett – USA – Lucas Dumbrell Racing
- Mika Salo – Finland – Bundaberg Red Racing Team
- Alex Tagliani – Canada – Kelly Racing
- Jacques Villeneuve – Canada – The Bottle-O Racing Team