Daytona USA gets THEA Award from Entertainment Industry
17 September 1997
Entertainment Industry Salutes DAYTONA USA
Attraction Honored with THEA Award for Outstanding Achievement
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Since its opening in July 1996, DAYTONA USA has
celebrated the racing accomplishments of thousands of men and women
who have competed in Daytona Beach since the early 1900s. On
Saturday, Sept. 13, "The Ultimate Motorsports Attraction" celebrated
its own accomplishments as it was honored with a Themed Entertainment
Association THEA Award of Outstanding Achievement at a black-tie
awards gala in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Known as the "Oscars" of the entertainment industry, the THEA award is
given to either an individual "achiever" or to a particular "achievement"
for recent outstanding contributions to the themed entertainment industry.
DAYTONA USA, located at the world-famous Daytona International Speedway,
opened its doors to the public on July 5, 1996. The interactive
attraction, the only one of its kind, received international acclaim in its
first year of operation. Through a variety of hands-on activities and live
shows designed for fans of all ages and all levels of racing interest, the
attraction celebrates the world of motorsports at Daytona International
Speedway and the history of racing in the Daytona Beach area dating back to
1903.
Guests of the attraction can participate in a live pit stop competition,
computer-design and video-test their own NASCAR Winston Cup stock car,
"call" a famous Daytona race finish like professional broadcasters,
interview famous racing personalities through laser-disc technology and
much more.
Additionally, visitors can witness the attraction's feature presentation,
the high-energy experience of "The Daytona 500" ThunderRound-Sound_ movie.
Following the movie, guests have an opportunity to have their picture taken
with the actual race car which carried NASCAR superstar Jeff Gordon to the
biggest victory of his young career in the 1997 Daytona 500.
An additional must-see opportunity at DAYTONA USA is Western Auto's Parts
America Speedway Tour which give fans a behind-the-scenes look at the
480-acre facility known as the "World Center of Racing." For the more
adventurous, DAYTONA USA offers the Richard Petty Riding Experience, a
once-in-a-lifetime three-lap ride in an authentic NASCAR Winston Cup stock
car around the high banks of Daytona.
The annual THEA selection process is handled by an Awards Committee, which
is comprised of a representative group of professionals who thoroughly
review nominees for consideration. During an unannounced visit in May 1997
by Nominating Committee Chairman Monty Lunde and TEA President Peter
Chernack, DAYTONA USA was judged on various criteria.
On June 23, 1997, International Speedway Corporation's (ISC) Executive
Vice President Lesa Kennedy, the driving force behind the construction of
DAYTONA USA, was notified by Lunde of DAYTONA USA's selection for the
award.
Kennedy, along with ISC President Jim France and DAYTONA USA General
Manager Sarah Gurtis accepted the THEA award on ISC's behalf.
Additionally, several members of the design and construction teams
accompanied the group to the event at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
For information on DAYTONA USA call (904) 947-6800. For ticket
information to a Speedway event, call (904) 253-7223. For additional
information on DAYTONA USA or any Daytona race event visit
http://daytonausa.com.
