PRS Guitars Returns To Rock & Roll 400 With Fourth Custom Built NASCAR Trophy
Chevy and Richmond International Raceway have given PRS Guitars the honor of custom building the rock & roll themed trophy for the winner of the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race for the fourth consecutive year. This trophy ranks amongst the most valuable trophies in the sport, worth more than $20,000 and is the only trophy in NASCAR that features a fully functional Paul Reed Smith guitar. As in years past, racing fans will have the chance to see the trophy up close and personal in the Chevy Fan Fest tent. The trophy can also be seen throughout the day on the sets of Speed and ESPN, strapped to the back seat of a golf cart (racing to and from press appearances) and on a pedestal in Gatorade Victory Lane.
Chevy Rock & Roll 400 winner Kurt Busch was excited when he pulled into Gatorade Victory Lane in 2005 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.”
The trophy, however, is not the only PRS guitar that will be on the track September 6. Guitarist Adam Gontier from Three Days Grace is a longtime PRS Guitars endorser and will be playing one of his many PRS guitars during their Saturday pre-race performance. “I've played a lot of guitars live, and in the studio and PRS are by far the best ones I've played,” said Adam Gontier.
Chad Kroeger from Nickelback performed at the race in 2005 playing a PRS, as did the Barenaked Ladies guitarist in 2006. Brain Craddock of Daughtry also performed at the race in 2007 playing a PRS; Brian was the first artist ever to play the newly launched Mira model PRS guitar on national television.
Chevrolet and PRS started working together in 2005 when the guitar company began sponsoring the Corvette C6.R factory race team. PRS later created a limited run of matching Corvette Z06 guitars that have since been coveted by racing fans from all over the world. Discussions began soon after about building a trophy for the race in Richmond. PRS Guitars President Jack Higginbotham sketched his idea on a cocktail napkin on his way to the trade show, and in collaboration with Baltimore metal sculptor Karl Saar and the PRS team (Paul Miles, Bill Oertel and Don Close) the trophy has come to life year after year.
A high resolution 2008 Rock & Roll 400 trophy image is available for download here
