EL SEGUNDO, CA, February 15, 2007 - DIRECTV, the nation's
leading satellite television service provider, is revolutionizing the NASCAR
experience once again with the DIRECTV ZONE, a mobile luxury lounge
located within the infield at select NASCAR events and featuring a
variety of high-tech amenities, including full access to the exclusive new
NASCAR Hot Pass
only on DIRECTV. The Zone will debut at the Daytona 500 on February 18 at
Daytona International Speedway, and appear at 17 races through out the 2007
NASCAR NEXTEL Cup season giving fans in attendance the opportunity to
celebrate race day in style.
To kickoff the season, DIRECTV will also provide subscribers at home the
chance to experience the new
NASCAR HOTPASS
service during the Daytona 500, free of charge, through a free preview it will
offer during the race. The free preview will be available on channels 794-799.
"NASCAR and DIRECTV are a winning combination, and we're making an
effort to pull out all of the stops in 2007 for the fans watching at home and
those attending NASCAR events," said David Hill, president of DIRECTV
Entertainment. "While the
NASCAR HOTPASS
service will redefine the NASCAR viewing experience, the DIRECTV ZONE
will bring the race-day experience to another level as well."
The DIRECTV ZONE will feature viewing areas for fans to experience the
NASCAR HOTPASS
service in style, via five separate screens/channels (one for each of the five
drivers). In addition, the DIRECTV ZONE will feature a roof-top lounge
where fans will have the ultimate birds-eye view of the race on the track.
Every fan in attendance at these 17 select NASCAR NEXTEL Cup races will
receive a lanyard card upon entry to the track equipped with a special bar code.
Dedicated DIRECTV ZONE ambassadors will direct fans to visit one of six
mobile pit boxes located around the track. Each pit box is equipped with four
computer screens where fans can swipe their lanyard cards to find out if they've
won an instant seat upgrade to the DIRECTV ZONE or other prizes. When a
winning fan is identified, ambassadors will provide escorts via special
DIRECTV ZONE golf carts for each winner. In addition, winning fans will have
the chance to meet NASCAR personalities including long-time SpeedChannel
broadcaster Larry McReynolds, as well as Crew Chief Club or DIRECTV race
team members.
NASCAR HOTPASS
only on DIRECTV features five dedicated driver channels offering multiple
camera angles, real-time car telemetry, in car audio communication and a
dedicated announcer team. The first five drivers to be featured on
NASCAR HOTPASS
in Daytona will be Dale Earnhardt Jr.(Dale Earnhardt Incorporated), Kevin
Harvick (Richard Childress Racing), Jimmie Johnson (Hendrick Motorsports), Tony
Stewart (Joe GibbsRacing), Michael Waltrip (Waltrip-Jasper Racing). The new
service, combined with race day telecasts and nascar.com coverage, will give
fans the most comprehensive and powerful NASCAR experience possible. DIRECTV
customers can now purchase the service at a full-season package price of $99 or
on a pay-per-week basis for $29.99.
DIRECTV is an official sponsor of NASCAR and an official sponsor
of Richard Childress Racing (RCR) and the # 07 car.
