Richmond Raceway has signed a new deal with local investment and insurance company Markel Corp. to entitle one part of its new infield project, as the track continues lining up corporate partners to offset the $30M renovation. Markel will entitle what the ISC-owned track is calling its entertainment area in the infield where it will hold pre-race concerts and pre-race driver introductions. The area is near Turns 1 and 2 and will have the closest view to action on that side of the track. Richmond is selling naming rights to several specific structures or areas of its renovated infield, and it already sold naming rights to the overall infield itself to DC Solar (Adam Stern, Staff Writer).
TECH CRUNCH: In Richmond, Tim Pearrell reports Richmond Raceway President Dennis Bickmeier is contemplating "potentially adding technology with racing information for fans" as part of the infield renovation project. He envisions the track having the technology -- "perhaps touchscreens or through headsets -- to explain what's happening" on the track. Bickmeier: "What can we supply to the race fans here that they can't get on their couch that's going to make them want to get off their couch and come to the racetrack?" Pearrell notes fans potentially would be "able to view technical inspections in the infield," and Bickmeier would like for information, "or maybe a knowledgeable official, available to fans in that area as well." There is "basic infrastructure for any future technology" being put in as part of the current renovations (RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH, 7/31).
