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Daytona International Speedway president Joie Chitwood on measures being taken to increase attendance and bringing in new fans through social media.
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Two words everybody decade kind of maybe.
500 is on Sunday with coverage starting on fox at noon Green flag drops about 13 -- And it's a sport fueled by well fuel and is NASCAR tries to continue to come back that it started last year now gas prices are spiking.
Is the president of the Daytona International Speedway worries.
-- -- what is there and he joins me now from the track telling its -- you to be here.
Just tell you that ticket sales are going DRU gonna top do you think the hundred -- 2000 people who showed up last year.
By you know will be close that's a lot of people to get one sporting event when you think about that that's what maybe like two receivables on one day.
We're in the game we were up last weekend for shoot out so things are tracking well at this point I get very were nervous about whether.
Weather can affect how we shake out -- -- but things are looking good.
Yet the weather's supposed to be good right have you seen an impact that Joey just in the last few weeks because gas is really.
On started taking off it do you think that that's gotten in the way of ticket sales.
I don't think that's affected us here Daytona I guarantee though that will affect the next couple months of braces.
You think about all of our -- -- you drive their campers and trailers tracks.
Those are vehicles that don't get the best fuel mileage and so that's going to be tough.
In the cost of participating -- as always the challenge and it's not just the ticket it's the air fares the fuel it's the hotel so that we'll definitely be a factor.
What how much did you work on packages I know that for some of the -- That kids cape had the tickets were half price and that you did some promotions having how aggressively did you try and save calls for -- -- Well unbelievably aggressive you know we have a 65 dollar dole ticket we have -- kids twelve and under half off.
And of course we'll our -- bring in a cooler full of refreshments and food I -- -- nobody went to the Super Bowl in Indianapolis for 65 dollars a brought a cooler full of food in.
So I think in our world were very aggressive to make sure there's a great value play for our customer we don't want cost to be the bear and why they can't participate.
In terms of people watching on Sunday and maybe even people attended the -- what do you think is a bigger draw.
The fact that the tandem drafting the debt to car -- -- looks like it will.
They at least disappear for the guys are or -- -- -- Well I think really it's attended drafting going away the pack -- back and that's what -- hardcore band appreciates the -- last Saturday night was fantastic it's exactly what we hope for.
We saw slingshot movie theater which Kyle Busch passed Tony stored.
-- -- could does bring another type of fan tore our broadcast and she's -- -- surpassed the athlete mediation is a bit of a celebrity so I didn't get -- great story lines but I would say the pack is back -- really the big story for the shares -- out of high upon.
Man that a shoot out was incredible last Saturday and if it the right helpful -- -- anything like that is going to be one for the books I would remember what about social media roper wake jelly.
I -- that you guys are aggressively going to be out there on social media all weekend really trying to bring in new fans.
-- we really are we actually tested a mobile -- last summer at our -- zero event and and then put it in full plate for this year is Daytona 500 and it's going well thousands and thousands of downloads great reviews.
We've got social squads on site to check people -- We've got the best FaceBook -- of any racetrack out there so we're trying to utilize the social media aspect is greatly as we can we get great content.
We have great content and the social media really work so for us.
Full -- had it's not just TV radio anymore you've got to be active in the social market I think we're gonna good job.
Real quick -- you wanna make a pick on me think -- Well I tell you what -- -- to run a fast I wouldn't be surprised at Carl -- towards up front but Tony Stewart has -- confidence right now being the champion he won one of the tools yesterday.
So -- it's tough to bet against Tony stored I'd have to put my money on him.
All right man not write it down and it's been named yet how much I'd limited to when you guys.
And see if you're right -- up -- Dale Junior but you never Nardelli is great to see you.
Joseph it's it -- president of the Daytona International Speedway.
All always great to see you and watch the 500 red fox.
On Sunday coverage starts at noon.
Green flag drops at.
One.
I.
