Joliet, IL – September 14, 2012 – Today Disney•Pixar Cars fans teamed up
with NASCAR driver Casey Mears to wave the green flag and kick off the
Cars “Take Flight” experience during Chase weekend at Chicagoland
Speedway, Sept. 14-16. In celebration of the world television premieres
of the Cars Toons short films “Air Mater” and “Moon Mater” this fall on
Disney Channel, and the launch of a new Cars “Take Flight” product
collection, Disney has created a fun and immersive family experience for
race fans to enjoy the world of Cars.
NASCAR driver Casey Mears with little race fans wave the green flag to
launch the new Disney•Pixar Cars “Take Flight”
product line and family
experience during Chase weekend at Chicagoland Speedway, September 14 –
16.
Through Cars themed “pit stops” at Chicagoland Speedway Kids Zone in
Champions Park, the world of Cars is brought to life. Fans can snap
photos of the life-size LEGO® replica of Lightning McQueen made of
250,000 bricks, create Cars scenes at the puzzle building station, enjoy
story time, race against friends on the Cars video game, see the new
collectible die-cast cars and play with the products in the new “Take
Flight” collection. The new Cars “Take Flight” product line features
die-cast, race tracks, games, books and more and is available now at
retailers nationwide.
“The Cars Toons shorts have done a great job extending the storytelling
and fun that happens in the world of Cars,” said Mary Renner Beech,
senior vice president of licensing, Disney•Pixar animation, Disney
Consumer Products. “Likewise, Disney•Pixar product designers take the
story where only a child’s imagination can go through new toys and
products. And what better place for us to celebrate the new “Take
Flight” collection than right here at the Chicagoland Speedway during an
actual NASCAR race weekend.”
“A weekend at Chicagoland Speedway is about more than just the
excitement on the track,” said Scott Paddock, Chicagoland Speedway
president. “We want the entire family to enjoy memorable experiences
throughout their trip, whether it’s in the Kids Zone taking pictures
with the life-size Lightning McQueen, in Champions Park with free
entertainment or in our new infield fan experience. Our goal is to
deliver additional value to our fans and give the start of the Chase for
the NASCAR Sprint Cup the platform it deserves.”
Since its release in 2006, Cars has remained Disney Consumer Products’
leading boys franchise. Several of NASCAR’s biggest stars voiced
characters in the first two Cars films which have grossed over $1
billion in box office revenue, including Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff
Gordon, Richard Petty, Darrell Waltrip and Humpy Wheeler. New Cars Toons
animated film shorts released through Disney Channel and Walt Disney
Home Entertainment, continue to keep fans “revved up” about Cars. This
weekend only, the public can view Cars Toons in the Kids Zone, located
in Chicagoland Speedway’s Champions Park.
NASCAR driver Casey Mears and NFL Chicago Bears athlete Anthony Adams
and son at the Disney•Pixar Cars “Take Flight”
product line and family
experience in Gatorade Victory Lane at Chicagoland Speedway.
Chicagoland Speedway is the first race of the Chase for the NASCAR
Sprint Cup this September – the first of ten ‘playoff’ style NASCAR
Sprint Cup Series races in pursuit of the 2012 championship. The Dollar
General 300 powered by Coca-Cola NASCAR Nationwide Series will kick off
the weekend on Saturday, Sept. 15 with the GEICO 400 Chase for the
NASCAR Sprint Cup concluding the weekend on Sunday, Sept. 16.
For tickets to the GEICO® 400, the start of the Chase for the NASCAR
Sprint Cup, or the Dollar General® 300 powered by Coca-Cola®, visit www.ChicagolandSpeedway.com or call 1-888-629-RACE (7223).
For more information on Chicagoland Speedway stay connected on Twitter and Facebook or by visiting www.ChicagolandSpeedway.com.
For more information on the Cars franchise, please visit www.disneyconsumerproducts.com/press/us.