Richmond International Raceway's Gatorade Victory Lane Rocks Again With PRS Guitars
Chevy and Richmond International Raceway Invite Guitar Manufacturer Back For Third Year In A Row
(Stevensville, MD) August 30, 2007 – NASCAR fans from all over the country who venture to Richmond International Raceway year after year to experience the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race have probably noticed a slight change in the winner’s trophy over the last few years. Many may even have fond memories of seeing the trophy travel the track thruways on a golf cart or having pictures taken with it in the Chevy Fan Fest area. Yes, it’s the PRS guitar wrapped in aluminum flames.
The relationship between Chevrolet and PRS started in 2005 when the guitar company began sponsoring of the Corvette C6.R factory race team and created a limited run of matching Corvette Z06 guitars. PRS has always felt that there is a strong connection between cars and guitars so upon receiving the invitation from Chevy to join the Rock & Roll 400 event, discussions quickly began about building a trophy for the race. Creative wheels begin spinning, and the first PRS/Chevy trophy came to life as PRS Guitars President Jack Higginbotham sketched his idea on a United Airlines cocktail napkin while at high altitudes aboard a Boeing 757 on his way to Anaheim, CA for a music trade show. The napkin was transformed into 3-D drawings at the PRS facility and the handwork began.
Measuring more than four feet tall, the trophies presented at the 2005 & 2006 Gatorade Victory Lane ceremony at Richmond International Raceway incorporated a custom PRS guitar engulfed in polished aluminum flames. The guitars sat atop mahogany and maple pedestals and were painted to match the color scheme of the pacecars. Although the trophies were works of art and carried an estimated retail value of more than $20,000, the guitars are fully functional and can be removed from the base for one’s playing pleasure. These trophies have become more than just a souvenir for the winner to take home – the drivers now have something more than just the race to compete for.
2005 Chevy Rock & Roll 400 winner, Kurt Busch was excited when he pulled into Gatorade Victory Lane and saw the custom-made trophy. “As soon as I jumped out of the car in victory lane, I noticed the trophy and asked one of the race officials if that was the one I actually got to take home,” said Busch. “I couldn't believe it! It's just a really cool trophy - very unique. It definitely stands out from all the others.”
Weighing nearly 75 pounds, the 2007 trophy features a custom PRS Standard 22-fret guitar engulfed in polished aluminum flames and is embedded within a 3-D polished aluminum rendition of Richmond International Raceway. The guitar sits atop a mahogany and maple pedestal painted to match the color scheme of the pacecar. In collaboration with Baltimore metal sculptor Karl Saar, a PRS team (Paul Miles, Bill Oertel and Don Close) has once again put forth countless hours to bring this trophy to life. Its estimated retail value is $30,000.
“The Chevy Rock & Roll 400 trophy created by PRS Guitars is one-of-a kind and more impressive than any trophy I have ever seen for any sporting event,” said Doug Fritz, President of Richmond International Raceway. “I look forward to presenting this piece of art to the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 winner each year. The Chevy Rock & Roll 400 is one of the most prestigious races on the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series circuit, and PRS Guitars has once again created a world-class trophy to match.”
PRS will have an interactive guitar display at the Chevy Fanfest Pavillion and Daughtry will be performing the pre-race concert…watch for a special PRS viewing! Jolie Holliday and her band will start the race by performing the National Anthem Saturday night using their PRS’. Fans can check out the 2007 trophy at the PRS guitar display in the Chevy Fan Fest area throughout the weekend. Bring your cameras and have your picture taken with it before it is swept away to Gatorade’s Victory Lane for Saturday night’s race “under the lights” at Richmond International Raceway.
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