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St. Louis Speed Festival To Kick Off Bommarito Automotive Group 500
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The inaugural St. Louis Speed Festival was recently announced by Gateway Motorsports Park (GMP) owner Curtis Francois and Verizon IndyCar Series driver James Hinchcliffe.
The week-long Speed Festival, which will start on August 19, will kick off the inaugural IndyCar Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Valvoline on August 26 at the 1.25-mile oval in Madison, Illinois.
The announcement was made during a St. Louis Sports Commission meeting at the Missouri Athletic Club and was met with resounding support from the commission’s executive members, according to GMP.
“The people of the St. Louis region do an incredible job of hosting first-class national events,” said Francois, who purchased GMP in 2012. “With the Speed Festival, we want to capture the magic of the playoff atmosphere we see with the Blues and Cardinals and events such as the Winter Classic and NCAA games that take place here each season.”
Francois’ vision, since acquiring the racing facility, was to bring the biggest motorsports events to the region and engage the entire community in the thrill and excitement of racing. The St. Louis Speed Festival is an essential component of Francois’ long-term plans.
The Speed Festival, modeled after the Indy 500 Festival held prior to the Indianapolis 500 each year, is comprised of seven separate and unique events leading up to the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Valvoline. Events are detailed below.
GMP officials enlisted the help of former Anheuser-Busch sports marketing director Larry Albus to assemble a steering committee of community leaders from both Illinois and Missouri. The group is comprised of members of the St. Louis Sports Commission, area colleges, downtown St. Louis civic leaders and local media.
Tickets for the inaugural Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Valvoline may be purchased online at www.gatewaymsp.com/indycar/ or by calling the GMP ticket office at 618/215-8888.
2017 ST. LOUIS SPEED FESTIVAL EVENTS (more to be announced at later date)
Saturday, August 19 — The Speed Festival begins at Gateway Motorsports Park with the GO! St. Louis Run at the Raceway. Events include a 5k run/walk, one-mile fun run and beer relay. The Run is expected to attract several thousand runners.
Sunday, August 20 — Cycle the Raceway with Big Shark Bicycle and Cars & Coffee St. Louis. GMP will host several hundred cyclists for the Big Shark race as well as a special edition of Cars & Coffee St. Louis that regularly attracts more than 700 cars and thousands of spectators.
Monday, August 21 — Karting for Kids. The Gateway Kartplex will host a corporate karting challenge in which area businesses participate in a team competition as a charity fundraiser.
Tuesday, August 22 — The St. Louis Cardinals are hosting an INDYCAR Theme Night presented by Gateway Motorsports at Busch Stadium on August 22. Includes fan giveaways, driver appearances and on-field racing activity between innings.
Wednesday, August 23 — The long-standing American Cancer Society Golf Tournament. Conducted on two courses, including Gateway National, which is adjacent to the speedway.
Thursday, August 24 — INDYCAR Fan Fest will feature driver appearances, a pit stop competition and hauler parade.
Friday, August 25 — Miller Lite Pole Day. Practice and qualifying for the Verizon IndyCar Series, Indy Lights and Pro Mazda Series as well as post-race festivities at the track and nearby Ballpark Village.
Saturday, August 26 — The St. Louis Speed Festival concludes with the inaugural Verizon IndyCar Series Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Valvoline. Support races include the Pro Mazda and Indy Lights Series.
The week-long Speed Festival, which will start on August 19, will kick off the inaugural IndyCar Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Valvoline on August 26 at the 1.25-mile oval in Madison, Illinois.
The announcement was made during a St. Louis Sports Commission meeting at the Missouri Athletic Club and was met with resounding support from the commission’s executive members, according to GMP.
“The people of the St. Louis region do an incredible job of hosting first-class national events,” said Francois, who purchased GMP in 2012. “With the Speed Festival, we want to capture the magic of the playoff atmosphere we see with the Blues and Cardinals and events such as the Winter Classic and NCAA games that take place here each season.”
Francois’ vision, since acquiring the racing facility, was to bring the biggest motorsports events to the region and engage the entire community in the thrill and excitement of racing. The St. Louis Speed Festival is an essential component of Francois’ long-term plans.
The Speed Festival, modeled after the Indy 500 Festival held prior to the Indianapolis 500 each year, is comprised of seven separate and unique events leading up to the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Valvoline. Events are detailed below.
GMP officials enlisted the help of former Anheuser-Busch sports marketing director Larry Albus to assemble a steering committee of community leaders from both Illinois and Missouri. The group is comprised of members of the St. Louis Sports Commission, area colleges, downtown St. Louis civic leaders and local media.
Tickets for the inaugural Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Valvoline may be purchased online at www.gatewaymsp.com/indycar/ or by calling the GMP ticket office at 618/215-8888.
2017 ST. LOUIS SPEED FESTIVAL EVENTS (more to be announced at later date)
Saturday, August 19 — The Speed Festival begins at Gateway Motorsports Park with the GO! St. Louis Run at the Raceway. Events include a 5k run/walk, one-mile fun run and beer relay. The Run is expected to attract several thousand runners.
Sunday, August 20 — Cycle the Raceway with Big Shark Bicycle and Cars & Coffee St. Louis. GMP will host several hundred cyclists for the Big Shark race as well as a special edition of Cars & Coffee St. Louis that regularly attracts more than 700 cars and thousands of spectators.
Monday, August 21 — Karting for Kids. The Gateway Kartplex will host a corporate karting challenge in which area businesses participate in a team competition as a charity fundraiser.
Tuesday, August 22 — The St. Louis Cardinals are hosting an INDYCAR Theme Night presented by Gateway Motorsports at Busch Stadium on August 22. Includes fan giveaways, driver appearances and on-field racing activity between innings.
Wednesday, August 23 — The long-standing American Cancer Society Golf Tournament. Conducted on two courses, including Gateway National, which is adjacent to the speedway.
Thursday, August 24 — INDYCAR Fan Fest will feature driver appearances, a pit stop competition and hauler parade.
Friday, August 25 — Miller Lite Pole Day. Practice and qualifying for the Verizon IndyCar Series, Indy Lights and Pro Mazda Series as well as post-race festivities at the track and nearby Ballpark Village.
Saturday, August 26 — The St. Louis Speed Festival concludes with the inaugural Verizon IndyCar Series Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Valvoline. Support races include the Pro Mazda and Indy Lights Series.
