City of Los Angeles Declares 'California Speedway Day in L.A.'

Daytona 500 Champion Jimmie Johnson Joins Celebration at City Hall

LOS ANGELES - Feb. 22, 2006: At a ceremony at City Hall today, the City of Los Angeles proclaimed February 22, 2006 as "California Speedway Day in L.A." The ceremony was held in anticipation of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Auto Club 500 race at California Speedway on Sunday, February 26.

Councilmember Tom LaBonge, representing the city, presented California Speedway president Gillian Zucker with an official proclamation signed by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. They were joined at City Hall by the new Daytona 500 champion, Jimmie Johnson, and Tom McKernan, president and chief executive officer of the Automobile Club of Southern California, the race's sponsor. The Auto Club 500 is the West Coast Premiere of NASCAR and the second race of the season for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. It is the first of two NASCAR races that will be held at California Speedway this year.

"NASCAR is the fastest growing sport in the country and we are thrilled to have two races every year for the fans in Southern California," said Councilmember LaBonge as he made the proclamation. "But the races are more than just fun. They are also good for the business of Los Angeles. The California Speedway generates nearly $220 million for the Los Angeles-area economy. That's like having two Super Bowls in town every year."

Jimmie Johnson, the driver of the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet, won his first Daytona 500 -- often called the Super Bowl of NASCAR -- on Sunday. A native of El Cajon, Johnson drove up to the City Hall ceremony in a NEXTEL Cup race car.

"I'm very excited to be here in Los Angeles for the first ever California Speedway Day in L.A.," said Johnson. "California Speedway is very special to me -- it's my hometown track, and it's where I had my first NEXTEL Cup win." Johnson added that Los Angeles is a priority market for NASCAR, with a growing and loyal fan base. "This is an opportunity to salute all the fans in L.A.," Johnson said. "And it's great to know that the City itself, including the Mayor and the City Council, are big supporters of California Speedway."

As part of the "California Speedway Day in L.A." celebration, California Speedway and NASCAR placed race cars at various locations around the Los Angeles area, including at City Hall, the gate at 20th Century Fox Studios, on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Third Street Promenade, Universal City Walk and in Century City. Lightpole banners marking the day and this weekend's race also lined city streets.

The 2006 West Coast Premiere of NASCAR takes place at California Speedway with the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Racetickets.com 200 (February 24), NASCAR Busch Series Stater Bros. 300 (February 25) and NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Auto Club 500 (February 26). Purchase your tickets today by calling 800-944-RACE [7223] or online at www.californiaspeedway.com.