Behind the Scenes: Pepsi 400, Part 2

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Daytona International Speedway president Robin Braig knows that without its race fans -- and ticket buyers -- Daytona, the "World Center of Racing," would not be at the forefront of International Speedway Corporation's dozen facilities.

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That's why Braig and several of his key staff members put together a comprehensive initiative called "Fans First!" that will debut with Saturday's Pepsi 400 NASCAR Winston Cup race and the preliminary events that lead up to it.

An integral part of the program is training the part-time staff that swells the speedway's employment rolls to nearly 5,000 for an event weekend of the magnitude of the Pepsi 400.

"Fans First! is a program we've created to enable the thousands of guests coming to the race track to have the best possible time," Chief Guest Services Officer Dean Kurtz said. "Picture the concept of opening your home up Saturday night to 200,000 of your closest friends, who are coming over for lunch and dinner.

	Credit: ASP

"That's what we're facing with the Pepsi 400 and that's how we look at Fans First!"

Braig believes that the 45-year-old speedway's fans have pretty good insight into what makes a quality racing outing, and as part of that experience the track's chief executive plans to meet this week with fans from several states to discuss ways to enhance their race attendance.

Braig's literal extension of his personal hospitality is a hands-on effort to improve the race time experience for the thousands of guests that visit Daytona each year, including during its racing events.

VIDEO CLIPS Daytona International Speedway President Robin Braig and Chief Guest Service Officer Dean Kurtz talk about "Fans First" where they train the staff and employees to put the fans first. Play video

"Our fans are a critical part of Fans First!" Braig said. "I want to know what works and what doesn't work (and) I want to hear the good and the bad first-hand from those fans that visit Daytona year in and year out.

"Their input is critical in keeping Daytona International Speedway the flagship of the motorsports industry."

Braig plans to meet with fans from North Carolina, Michigan, Florida and Alabama to get feedback on those things important to race fans traveling to events at Daytona, including traffic patterns, free parking and shuttle information and guest information assistance centers.

"We always listen to our fans," Braig said. "And Fans First! is another way for our guests to let us know how we can make their experience at Daytona more enjoyable," Braig said.

Two of Daytona's key executives in the Fans First! Initiative are Kurtz, whom the staff has dubbed "Captain Courtesy," and Manager of Guest Services Jay Gritton.

Pepsi 400: Part 1  DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- In terms of planning and executing a sporting event, there are few venues better suited than Daytona International Speedway, the site of Saturday's 45th annual Pepsi 400 NASCAR Winston Cup Series race.  Robin Braig has spent a good part of his business career preparing for the role of president of the flagship facility of International Speedway Corporation, the multi-track conglomerate that is operated as a public corporation by the France family. Full Story

Gritton's new role includes management of the speedway's front door areas where a guest's first impressions occur, including the gates, guest information centers, disabled guest assistance carts and usher programs.

The Fans First! program focuses on expanded training of event staff and volunteers, and there's no question it's a priority for Braig and his staff.

"Ensuring that each of the thousands of guests that visits Daytona International Speedway has a positive and memorable experience is our primary concern," Kurtz said. "An integral part of the program is to acquaint our staff with the area in which they're working -- they have to know where the closest rest rooms are, the first aid stations.

"We have to concentrate on training our staff to treat our guests as if they were coming to their own homes."

	Credit: Autostock

Throughout the racing season, Fans First! will provide a special feedback forum and link from its Web site at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com to the online "Fan Guide," plus information and updates on details important to race fans traveling to DIS events.

One aspect of Daytona's commitment to its fan base is the ongoing schedule of "Fan Forums" that are scheduled to take place this week in the central hall, or Velocitorium, at DAYTONA USA, the interactive motorsports attraction located outside the track's Turn 4.

	Jimmie Johnson Credit: Autostock

The Fan Forums are included in the attraction's admission price.

Thursday's schedule includes several Grand-American Rolex Sports Car Series drivers as well as NASCAR drivers and media members.

The program kicks off with David Donohue, Hurley Haywood and Darren Law at 2 p.m. ET; followed by former Daytona 500 Bud Pole winner Jimmie Johnson at 2:30; Busch Series drivers Johnny Sauter, Brian Vickers and Scott Wimmer at 3:30; and FOX Sports broadcaster and former Winston Cup crew chief Larry McReynolds at 4.

On Friday, Winston Cup drivers Greg Biffle, Joe Nemechek and David Green open the schedule at 1 p.m.; followed by Dave Blaney, Mike Wallace and Jeff Burton at 1:30; the "M&M's Groovy Summer Fan Kickoff Party" with Elliott Sadler and Jeff Hammond at 2; Ganassi Racing teammates Sterling Marlin and Casey Mears at 2:30; two-time Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip at 3:30; and Kurt Busch at 3:50.

In addition, a new paint scheme for three-time Daytona 500 winner Dale Jarrett's No. 88 UPS Ford will be unveiled in front of DAYTONA USA at 3 p.m.