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For Immediate Release
NEWS PROVIDED BY
January 12, 2021
Raleigh, N.C., Jan. 12, 2022/ - Since the team arrived in North Carolina, via Hartford, Connecticut over twenty-four years ago, the Carolina Hurricanes have been very mindful of the sports geography they sought to win over. Namely, basketball, NASCAR, and football fans.
North Carolina is the long-time home to arguably the best collegiate men's basketball league in the nation, the Atlantic Coast Conference. Three of the league's top teams, U.N.C., Duke, and the Wolfpack of N.C. State are just a stones throw from each other in the Triangle region of the Tar Heel state.
The Carolina Hurricanes even share their home with Wolfpack basketball for a good two-thirds of the hockey season and PNC Arena is within view of the Pack's football home, Carter-Finely Stadium.
As for NASCAR's roots, they are mighty strong too. From the hallowed asphalt of North Wilkesboro Speedway in the mountains, and Rockingham Speedway in the Sandhills, to modern favorite - Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, and hundreds of smaller, local tracks, both dirt and paved, stock car racing thrives throughout the state. That's why the North Carolina General Assembly named "stock car racing" as the official state sport of North Carolina in 2011.
We shouldn't forget about our feline friends down I-85 either, known as the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. Although, after the disastrous season the Panthers just finished, we wouldn't blame you if you did want to forget.
North Carolina is a crowded sports field for sure and one the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League has been mindful of since moving here in 1997.
So why does a hockey team promote NASCAR, you may be asking? Well, for starters, it's simply a great way for our local professional hockey team to reach out to fans of another sport, in this case, stock car racing. Inviting NASCAR fans to come have a look at this crazy-fast sport on ice where slamming an opposing player into the boards in an effort to gain possession of the puck, is simply called "checking", just might win over some new fans to hockey.
On the flip side, how awesome is it, that our state's pro hockey team sees fit to introduce Caniac fans to the sport of stock car racing? It's fast, it's loud, the competitors wear helmets and protective gear, (just like hockey players do) and in the case of "America's Favorite Bullring", Wake County Speedway is kind of shaped like a hockey rink, but with a wall on the inside as well as the outside to bash into. So if NASCAR wins over some rabid hockey fans by inviting them to join us at the race track, or in our case, Wake County Speedway, it's a win/win. Or, just like D.W. would say..."Let's go racing boys and girls!"
Join us Saturday, January 15th from 10 am to 1 pm in the parking lot outside the main entrance to PNC Arena for NASCAR Day with the Carolina Hurricanes, presented by Advance Auto Parts. We've heard Ryan Blaney, driver of the number 12 Ford Mustang will make a special appearance! Purchase tickets to the game, here: https://bddy.me/3K57pcN
Stop by our Wake County Speedway tent to meet some of our LeithCars.com Late Model Series drivers and pick up a driver's hero card with the 2022 season schedule on the back (while supplies last). A NASCAR simulator will be on hand too, plus several race cars from America's Favorite Bullring.
The Carolina Hurricanes take on the Vancouver Canucks Saturday at 1 pm.
Contact:
Charlie Hansen
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