Avondale, AZ, March 16, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Responsible fans earned valuable rewards at Sunday’s Good Sam 500 at Phoenix International Raceway (PIR). The race marks the third time the track, Anheuser-Busch and Techniques for Effective Alcohol Management (TEAM) Coalition have partnered to promote responsible drinking and traffic safety.
Before the race, 96 fans made the pledge to be the designated driver for their group. All of them had the opportunity to receive a free souvenir photo, instant prizes, and a chance to be selected as the Designated Driver for the Race. One randomly selected, responsible fan will win the “Responsibility Has Its Rewards sweepstakes.” The grand prize includes two tickets and a VIP experience for two at the next NASCAR Sprint Cup Series™ race at Phoenix International Raceway.
The Designated Driver for the Race from the Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 last November, Wendy Long, received a pair of tickets and a behind-the-scenes experience before the Good Sam 500.
“While we want every fan that comes to Phoenix International Raceway to enjoy everything about their race experience as much as possible, safety is always the top priority,” said Bryan R. Sperber, president of Phoenix International Raceway. “With that in mind, we commend the fans that chose to serve as designated drivers for their family or friends during race weekend.”
“Anheuser-Busch has led our industry in promoting responsible drinking for more than 30 years, and the Busch designated driver program reminds fans who choose to drink to do so responsibly and get their friends home safely,” said Katja Zastrow, VP of CSR-Better World at Anheuser-Busch. “We all share the same streets after the race. This partnership with Phoenix International Raceway, TEAM and the fans displays our collective responsibility to help keep our roads safe.”
“Americrown believes responsible alcohol consumption improves the fan experience at events,” said Rishi Nigam, Vice President of Americrown. “As a proud member of the TEAM Coalition, we use proven training tools to educate our service staff as well as our partners in venue management. Each day, we pledge to operate with the highest integrity for the benefit of all stakeholders.”
"The success of the Responsibility Has Its Rewards campaign is a direct result of the commitment from our members and all the designated-driver program partners, including the tracks and beer companies," said Jill Pepper, executive director of TEAM Coalition. "Teamwork is what this campaign is all about. We are demonstrating that when everyone – including the fans – takes responsibility, everyone wins."
About Phoenix International Raceway
Since 1964, Phoenix International Raceway has been the premier motorsports venue in the Southwest. Founded as an open-wheel racing mecca, PIR will host the Phoenix Grand Prix Verizon IndyCar Series race under the lights on Saturday night, April 2. Phoenix is the only track in the West to have two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekends a year and will kick off its 2016 NASCAR season with the Good Sam 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race weekend March 11-13 followed by the semifinal race for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, the can-am 500, November 11-13.
About Anheuser-Busch
For more than three decades, Anheuser-Busch and its nationwide network of wholesalers have invested more than $1 billion in national advertising campaigns and community-based programs to promote responsible drinking, prevent underage drinking and drunk driving and address college issues. For more information on these alcohol responsibility efforts and the progress being made, visit www.anheuser-busch.com.
About Americrown
Americrown, originally formed in 1989 by Lesa France Kennedy, Chief Executive Officer of International Speedway Corporation, is the leader in motorsports catering and concessions. Operating at 11 NASCAR-sanctioned tracks nationwide, Americrown touches millions of race fans annually. Our ever growing fleet of mobile food concessions and catering equipment is unparalleled in the industry. Anywhere, anytime. If you can dream it, we can do it!
Americrown's team of industry professionals brings a wealth of experience and dedication to the table with an overall goal of customer satisfaction. We specialize in fine dining and food concession plans to not only fit the events at which we operate, but to optimize the guests' experience! For more information, visit www.americrown.com.
About TEAM Coalition
TEAM Coalition is an alliance of professional and collegiate sports, entertainment facilities, concessionaires, stadium service providers, the beer industry, distillers, broadcasters, governmental traffic safety experts, and others working together to promote responsible drinking and positive fan behavior at sports and entertainment facilities. TEAM Coalition's members and supporters include NASCAR, Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, National Basketball Association, National Football League, National Hockey League, National Collegiate Athletic Association, Americrown, Aramark, Delaware North Sportservice, Legends, Spectra, Beer Institute, National Beer Wholesalers Association, Anheuser-Busch Companies, Constellation Brands, HEINEKEN USA, MillerCoors, Brown-Forman, Live Nation, National Association of Broadcasters, Contemporary Services Corporation, International Association of Venue Managers, Stadium Managers Association and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
For more information, go to www.TEAMCoalition.org.
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