DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Sept. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- International Speedway Corporation ("ISC"), the leading promoter of major motorsports entertainment, had seven of its motorsports facilities honored during the 2013 NASCAR Green Summit with the NASCAR Green track operator award.  The award recognizes those motorsports facilities for their ongoing contributions to developing effective and sustainable green policies and practices. 

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Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR Senior Vice President of Racing Operations, presented the NASCAR Green track operator award to ISC representatives from Auto Club Speedway of Southern California, Darlington Raceway, Daytona International Speedway, Kansas Speedway, Michigan International Speedway, Richmond International Raceway and Watkins Glen International.

The 2013 NASCAR Green Summit Delivered by UPS, is commemorating five years of innovative changes to the sport's environmental footprint, the event examined the substantive initiatives that have helped make NASCAR the sustainability leader in sports.

NASCAR Green recognized ISC's motorsports facilities with the NASCAR Green track operator award for the following:

Auto Club Speedway of Southern California

NASCAR Green recognized the partnership Auto Club of Speedway of Southern California ("ACS") has with the local rail authority, Metrolink.  The partnership received grant funding from the South Coast Air Quality District specifically for major event venues within their district that are not served by regular public transit services and experience high levels of traffic congestion during events.  In addition, NASCAR Green highlighted the millions of gallons of sewer and waste water generated by ACS that is diverted to California Steel Industries, which uses the water for the cooling process of steel manufacturing.

Darlington Raceway

NASCAR Green recognized Darlington Raceway and Clemson University partnership to grow switchgrass on speedway grounds, which will later be used in production of bio-fuels.

Daytona International Speedway

NASCAR Green recognized Daytona International Speedway ("DIS") for the significant recycling and waste diversion efforts at its major motorsports events. In 2012, DIS, in partnership with Coca-Cola Recycling, recycled over 150 tons of cardboard, commingled mix material, steel and aluminum.   Also, DIS participates in the NASCAR Green Clean Air program where 10 trees are planted for each Green Flag that drops during races, capturing 100 percent of the carbon produced by the on track racing at its events.

Kansas Speedway

NASCAR Green recognized Kansas Speedway's significant support of its efforts during Earth Day.  Kansas Speedway hosted the 2013 Green Energy Challenge -- a program teaching local students about green efforts through environmental education.

Michigan International Speedway

Michigan International Speedway ("MIS") was recognized by NASCAR Green for its wetland conservation efforts at its facility, maintaining approximately 200 acres of protected wetland in and around its facility.  In addition, NASCAR Green recognized MIS' new solar-powered building, one of the largest U.S. producers of green energy in American sports. The sun-powered, 31-suite building and track media center is outfitted with approximately 8,000-square  feet of solar panels across the rooftop that generates about 70,000 kw per hour - enough energy to  power 439 fluorescent light bulbs, 79 incandescent light bulbs, 175 laptop computers, 19 desktop computers and 26 refrigerators.  Also, MIS featured a 2013 Ford Fusion Energi plug-in vehicle as its official pace car at both of its NASCAR weekend events. 

Richmond International Raceway

Richmond International Raceway ("RIR") was honored for its significant support of Race to Green and the Virginia Department of Forestry Initiatives.  In addition, NASCAR Green recognized RIR for featuring in 2012, the first electric pace car, a Ford Focus Electric. 

Watkins Glen International

NASCAR Green recognized Watkins Glen International and NextEra Energy joining forces to launch a windmill project that will create a lasting renewable energy resource for the area. Approximately 50 turbines will be installed over the next two years, with each tower capable of powering 2,900 homes annually.

"We are honored to be recognized by NASCAR Green for our comprehensive environmental sustainability policies and practices across our motorsports facilities," stated ISC Chief Executive Officer Lesa France Kennedy. "These awards are an affirmation of ISC's ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship.

"Environmental sustainability is a way of doing business that strives to achieve the best possible outcome for the people whose lives we touch and the natural environment that we all depend on. It is a lifelong commitment and we are excited to report on further progress and improvements throughout our company."

For more information on ISC's environmental sustainability programs, please visit ISC Green Flag Team.

International Speedway Corporation is a leading promoter of motorsports activities, currently promoting more than 100 racing events annually as well as numerous other motorsports-related activities.  The Company owns and/or operates 13 of the nation's major motorsports entertainment facilities, including Daytona International Speedway® in Florida (home of the DAYTONA 500®); Talladega Superspeedway® in Alabama; Michigan International Speedway® located outside Detroit; Richmond International Raceway® in Virginia; Auto Club Speedway of Southern California(SM) near Los Angeles; Kansas Speedway® in Kansas City, Kansas; Phoenix International Raceway® in Arizona; Chicagoland Speedway® and Route 66 Raceway(SM) near Chicago, Illinois;  Homestead-Miami Speedway(SM)in Florida; Martinsville Speedway® in Virginia; Darlington Raceway® in South Carolina; and Watkins Glen International® in New York. 

The Company also owns and operates Motor Racing Network, the nation's largest independent sports radio network and Americrown Service Corporation(SM), a subsidiary that provides catering services, food and beverage concessions, and produces and markets motorsports-related merchandise.  In addition, the Company has a 50 percent interest in the Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway.  For more information, visit the Company's Web site at www.internationalspeedwaycorporation.com. 

SOURCE International Speedway Corporation

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