Partners Promoting Responsibility at Track include Miller Lite, Americrown and TEAM Coalition

Talladega, AL, May 08, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Talladega Superspeedway hosted the GEICO 500 on May 7, 2017, and responsible race fans were rewarded for making the pledge to never drive drunk. The designated driver program was offered for the eleventh consecutive race by Miller Lite, Americrown and Techniques for Effective Alcohol Management (TEAM) Coalition.

(Left To Right) Michelle Young, TEAM Coalition; Conner Thrash, Responsibility Has Its Rewards Sweepstakes Winner; Steve Thrash, Guest of Winner; Jonathan Labastida, Miller Lite

Before the race, 232 fans made the pledge to be a designated driver for their group. All of them had the opportunity to receive a free souvenir photo, instant prizes and a chance to be selected as the Designated Driver of the Race. One randomly selected responsible fan will win the Responsibility Has Its Rewards sweepstakes. The grand prize includes two tickets and two VIP experiences to the Alabama 500 on October 15, 2017.

The Designated Driver for the Race from the 2016 Alabama 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, Conner Thrash, received two tickets and two VIP Experiences to the GEICO 500. Conner and his guest enjoyed a behind-the-scenes experience before the race on Sunday.

“We applaud those who signed the pledge to be a designated driver for their group during race weekend at DEGA,” said Grant Lynch, Chairman of Talladega Superspeedway. “It’s important for everyone to be responsible when choosing to consume alcohol while enjoying the race weekend.”

“We believe that with great beer comes great responsibility, and we’re thrilled to partner with NASCAR, Talladega Superspeedway and TEAM Coalition to help promote responsibility at the track,” said Diane Wagner, MillerCoors responsibility commerce manager. “For many legal drinking age fans, enjoying a beer on race day is part of the NASCAR experience, and we want to encourage fans to enjoy the race responsibly and plan ahead for a safe ride home from the track.”

“Americrown believes responsible alcohol consumption improves the fan experience at events,” said Rishi Nigam, Vice President of Americrown. “As a proud member of the TEAM Coalition, we use proven training tools to educate our service staff as well as our partners in venue management.  Each day, we pledge to operate with the highest integrity for the benefit of all stakeholders.”

"The success of the Responsibility Has Its Rewards campaign is a direct result of the commitment from our members and all the designated-driver program partners, including the tracks, beer companies and state offices of highway safety," said Jill Pepper, executive director of TEAM Coalition. "Teamwork is what this campaign is all about. We are demonstrating that when everyone – including the fans – takes responsibility, everyone wins."

Talladega Superspeedway

Talladega Superspeedway is NASCAR’s Most Competitive Track (record 88 lead changes in 188 laps), most banked (33 degrees), and longest (2.66 miles), as well as the most fun and fan-friendly, offering up hundreds of acres of free camping, amazing kids ticket prices and special offers for military members and college students. The historic venue, built in 1969, is NASCAR’s “Party Capital” thanks to the track’s infamous infield, which features the traditional Saturday Night Concert and the world-renowned Talladega Blvd, home of the “Big One on the Blvd” party. It is the site of the most comfortable seats in motorsports, large ISM Vision video viewing boards lining the frontstretch and endless activities for fans throughout its event weekends. Talladega Superspeedway’s next NASCAR weekend is set for October 13-15 with the fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race and the Alabama 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series event, the second race in the Round of 12 of NASCAR’s Playoffs. Log on to www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 877-Go2-DEGA for more information.

About MillerCoors

Through its diverse collection of storied breweries, MillerCoors brings American beer drinkers an unmatched selection of the highest quality beers steeped in centuries of brewing heritage. Miller Brewing Company and Coors Brewing Company offer domestic favorites such as Coors Light, Miller Lite, Miller High Life and Coors Banquet, as well as innovative new products such as Miller Fortune. Tenth and Blake Beer Company, our craft and import division, offers beers such as Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy from sixth-generation Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company and Blue Moon Belgian White from modern craft pioneer Blue Moon Brewing Company. Tenth and Blake also operates Crispin Cidery, an artisanal maker of pear and apple ciders using 100 percent fresh-pressed American juice. The company imports world-renowned beers such as Italy’s Peroni, the Czech Republic’s Pilsner Urquell and the Netherlands’ Grolsch. MillerCoors also offers pioneering new brands such as Redd’s Apple Ale, Batch 19 Pre-Prohibition Lager, Third Shift Amber Ale and Smith & Forge Hard Cider. MillerCoors seeks to become America’s best beer company through an uncompromising promise of quality, a keen focus on innovation and a deep commitment to sustainability. MillerCoors is a joint venture of SABMiller plc and Molson Coors Brewing Company. Learn more at MillerCoors.com, at facebook.com/MillerCoors or on Twitter through @MillerCoors.

About Americrown

Americrown, originally formed in 1989 by Lesa France Kennedy, Chief Executive Officer of International Speedway Corporation, is the leader in motorsports catering and concessions. Operating at 11 NASCAR-sanctioned tracks nationwide, Americrown touches millions of race fans annually. Our ever growing fleet of mobile food concessions and catering equipment is unparalleled in the industry. Anywhere, anytime. If you can dream it, we can do it!

Americrown's team of industry professionals brings a wealth of experience and dedication to the table with an overall goal of customer satisfaction. We specialize in fine dining and food concession plans to not only fit the events at which we operate, but to optimize the guests' experience! For more information, visit www.americrown.com. 

About TEAM Coalition

TEAM Coalition is an alliance of professional and collegiate sports, entertainment facilities, concessionaires, stadium service providers, the beer industry, distillers, broadcasters, governmental traffic safety experts, and others working together to promote responsible drinking and positive fan behavior at sports and entertainment facilities. TEAM Coalition's members and supporters include NASCAR, Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, National Basketball Association, National Football League, National Hockey League, National Collegiate Athletic Association, Americrown, Aramark, Delaware North Sportservice, Legends, Spectra, Beer Institute, National Beer Wholesalers Association, Anheuser-Busch Companies, Constellation Brands, HEINEKEN USA, MillerCoors, Brown-Forman, Live Nation, National Association of Broadcasters, Contemporary Services Corporation, International Association of Venue Managers, Stadium Managers Association and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

For more information, go to www.TEAMCoalition.org.

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Russell Branham, Talladega Superspeedway – 256-315-4556, rbranham@talladegasuperspeedway.com 
Jill Pepper, TEAM Coalition – 703-647-7431, jill@teamcoalition.org