-- Initiatives Include: Best Daytona 500 Moments, Viewing and Voting for Favorite Commercials, ZoomView(TM) Technology, Daytona to Daytona Sweepstakes and Exclusive Clips from the Upcoming Film, NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience
“The Daytona 500 is the biggest NASCAR race of the year and we want to put fans in the driver's seat for this exhilarating event”
-- New Ad to Debut Featuring The Teutuls from Discovery Channel's "American Chopper" and a Cameo by NASCAR Team Owner Richard Childress
America Online, Inc., the world's leading interactive services company, announced a series of new initiatives launching today for NASCAR's Daytona 500 that gives fans unparalleled access to the kick off of the NASCAR season. This comprehensive race package, Daytona 500@AOL, features video highlights of the best Daytona 500 moments, daily photos with ZoomView(TM) technology and exclusive clips from the Warner Bros. Pictures upcoming film NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience -- all available for viewing up to five times faster than on a standard dial-up connection and up to two times faster than on a standard high-speed connection with the new AOL(R) TopSpeed(TM) technology(1). AOL will also launch a new ad on behalf of the AOL TopSpeed technology featuring the Teutuls from Discovery Channel's "American Chopper."
Daytona 500@AOL continues AOL(R) Sports' new programming offerings that debuted with SuperBowl@AOL and includes innovative and engaging content, best experienced via AOL(R) for Broadband, that brings fans closer to major events. The content package builds upon the company's partnership with NASCAR and sponsorship of the Richard Childress Racing #30 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race car.
During the Daytona 500, AOL will debut the latest commercial in a series of ads showcasing the popular Teutul family and the AOL TopSpeed technology that kicked off during the Super Bowl. The new ad will feature a cameo by NASCAR team owner Richard Childress.
In addition, AOL is sponsoring the "Daytona to Daytona" Sweepstakes for AOL members which features as the grand prize a custom built TopSpeed(TM) chopper built by "Monster Garage" star Jesse James (valued at $150,000) as well as $50,000 cash. The sweepstakes begins February 12 and runs through June 25. The winner will be announced at the Pepsi 400 in Daytona on July 3. For Official Rules, see AOL Keyword: Daytona Sweeps.
Also, on the heels of the Super Sunday AOL(R) Ad Poll, immediately following Super Bowl XXXVIII, that generated a record 3.5 million votes on the AOL(R) and AOL.com(R) services, AOL will feature a selection of commercials that air during the 2004 Daytona 500 where fans can view the ads and vote for their favorite spot immediately after the race. The commercials will be available through February 22.
"The Daytona 500 is the biggest NASCAR race of the year and we want to put fans in the driver's seat for this exhilarating event," said Carlos Silva, Senior Vice President for AOL(R) News and Sports. "It's also a great event to continue to showcase our TopSpeed technology, that allows consumers to download Web pages faster, and our new innovative content that is taking online programming for major events to a new level."
Shift Into Gear with Daytona 500@AOL
AOL's comprehensive race package, Daytona 500@AOL, launches today and includes:
-- Daytona's Greatest Moments. AOL will showcase unique highlights in Daytona 500 history and give members the ability to see video and photos of great moments. Daytona's Greatest Moments will also be available to non AOL members through the AOL.com Web site.
-- Photo of the day featuring ZoomView(TM) technology. Each day, Daytona 500@AOL will offer a Daytona race photo that will include ZoomView(TM) technology, which provides an interactive experience that allows members the ability to view unprecedented detail in photographs by zooming into areas of interest in the photograph.
-- Gender 500. A "battle of the sexes" where members of the opposite sex can go head-to-head with their perspectives on a variety of race topics.
-- "Under the Hood." A one stop place for stats and fun facts from the Daytona 500 covering newsmakers, history, food and more.
-- Exclusive clips from the upcoming film NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience. Members will be able to access a series of clips from the highly anticipated upcoming IMAX 3D film, NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience.
-- Daily news, commentary and a preview of the race, as well as interactive polls on Daytona 500 topics.
AOL will introduce an expanded Mobile Marketing Unit which lets fans see, touch and interact with products and services available on the AOL(R) service and showcases AOL's cutting-edge technology, as well as the AOL(R) for Broadband service and AOL(R) 9.0 Optimized--all within a venue specifically designed for the Daytona 500. The Mobile Marketing Unit will have computer kiosks where consumers can see comprehensive and exclusive content available through the AOL service, including Sessions@AOL, NFL@AOL, and Broadband Rocks(TM) weekly concert series.
About America Online
America Online is a wholly owned subsidiary of Time Warner Inc. Based in Dulles, Virginia, America Online is the world's leader in interactive services, web brands, Internet technologies and e-commerce services.
(1) AOL(R) 9.0 Optimized with TopSpeed(TM) technology can load certain web page text and graphics faster than with a standard 56.6K dial-up Internet service or with a standard high-speed cable or DSL service. Actual speeds may vary, and performance on high-speed connections may vary depending on geographic location, connection speed, and service provider. TopSpeed technology is only available with AOL 9.0 software. Minimum system requirements apply.
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