INDY RACING Northenrn Light Series Weekly Notebook
Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
September 22, 2001
Kentucky Speedway extends agreement with Belterra Casino Resort
INDIANAPOLIS, Friday, Sept. 21, 2001 - The Belterra Casino Resort will remain the title sponsor of the Indy Racing League event at Kentucky Speedway officials announced Sept. 20.
In 2002, the Belterra Casino Indy 300 is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 11, and will be televised live nationally on ABC.
"When you have more than $400 million in economic development invested in two facilities located just minutes apart, it's critical that we continue to work together," said Mark F. Cassis, executive vice president and general manager of Kentucky Speedway. "Together we will find new and innovative ways to bring people not only to the casino-resort, but the speedway as well. This is far more than just a title event sponsorship agreement, it's a marketing partnership designed to meet strategic goals throughout the term of the agreement."
In addition to its title sponsorship, Belterra Casino Resort, which is located in Belterra, Ind., 12 miles from Kentucky Speedway, will become the "Official Hotel of Kentucky Speedway" and will carry exclusive casino and resort signage rights at the speedway.
"We're excited about our partnership with the Kentucky Speedway, it's a win-win situation," said Wes Hassell, director of marketing of Belterra Casino and Resort. "One of our primary business objectives is to support the development of this region as a resort destination market with alternate entertainment options for residents of the Tri-state area. The continued relationship also supports our ongoing commitment to community involvement. We look forward to a very exciting and successful event."
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Now on the first tee ...: The Phil Casey Indy Racing Charity Golf Tournament was rescheduled for Sunday, Oct. 7, the day after the Chevy 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. The tournament will be held at the Tour 18 course in Fort Worth, Texas.
The 150-player field has been set. Thirty groups of five players include many Indy Racing drivers, owners, team members and officials. Tee time is 7:30 a.m.
Infiniti, Frank Weiss, Kelley Racing/Delphi and Active International are the co-sponsors of this year's tournament. Panther Racing co-owner Gary Pedigo, through his Pedigo Chevrolet dealership, has offered a 2002 Chevrolet Impala as a hole-in-one prize. First Union Securities is sponsoring lunch for the golfers.
Tee sponsorships still are available. Donations are welcome. Contact Kris Callfas at (317) 484-6526 for more information.
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Sarah and soccer: Indy Racing driver Sarah Fisher was treated to an insider's view of professional soccer Sept. 9 in Chicago as a guest of U.S. Women's National Team star Tiffeny Milbrett.
Fisher watched from the sidelines of Soldier Field as the United States defeated Germany, 4-1, in the team's opening match of the 2001 Nike U.S. Women's Cup.
"To have such an insider's view of the world of professional soccer was unbelievable," said Fisher. "Tiff is awesome. She is a very down to earth and kind person, as well as being a great athlete, and I'm glad that I had the opportunity to share a little of her world. We will definitely be keeping in touch. I'll be watching her soccer games, and I think she and her teammates will be watching our IRL races in return."
The night before the game, Milbrett presented Fisher with one of her New York Power soccer team shirts at the Chicago Fire game at Solider Field.
Following the soccer team's victory Sunday, Fisher joined the team for pizza while watching the China vs. Japan soccer game. Fisher met all the players including standouts Mia Hamm and Brandi Chastain. She gave each team member an official Walker Racing team hat.
Earlier this month, Milbrett joined Fisher at the Delphi Indy 300 at Chicagoland Speedway for a unique tour of an Indy Racing event.
Milbrett was the 2000 U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year and played on the 1996 and 2000 U.S. Women's Soccer teams, as well as the U.S. World Cup team. She also is a member of the New York Power professional soccer team.
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Hot laps: Rollie Helmling, of Vincennes, Ind., a longtime USAC
car entrant-participant, will succeed retiring John Capels as president
of the United States Auto Club. He will assume his new position of
president-elect on Dec. 3 and will work with Capels to facilitate the
transition during the months of October and November, with ratification
of his presidency expected as part of the annual USAC Board of Directors
meeting in Indianapolis in January ... Actor Josh Brolin, who recently
starred in films "Slow Burn" and "Picnic," is pictured in the Sept. 10
issue of People magazine wearing an Indy Racing League hat. The
photograph of Brolin and fiancée Minnie Driver was taken during the
couple's recent visit to Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla. ... The
Championship Association of Mechanics, Inc. has set up a Disaster Relief
Fund to aid organizations as they provide support for those attacked on
Sept. 11. Anyone wishing to donate on behalf of the crews can send a
check or money order to CAM, 8435 Georgetown Rd., Suite 200,
Indianapolis, IN 46268. To donate with a Visa or MasterCard, call the
CAM office at (317) 802-0001. To donate online, visit
www.guidestar.org/helping/donate.adp?ein=84-1124954
Text provided by Paul Kelly
Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit
The Racing Photo Museum and the
Visions of Speed Art Gallery.