Enter the "Fastest Seat in Sports" sweepstakes at www.shophonda.com (where you'll find all the rules and prize descriptions) for the opportunity to start an IZOD IndyCar Series race this season.
One items in the rules: No purchase is necessary to enter.
2013 Race Track Info Pages are under construction and will be available soon!
2013 Hotel Discounts for all the races are posted
on the
"RACE AND EVENT OFFERS" page!
thru Noggles Goggles
for June 5,2013
has been added! to the Photo/Blog Page.
Champion Crew Conversation™
2013 Race & Event Offers
6/1/2013
Venue: Milwaukee INDYFEST Dates: 6/13-15, 2013
Recommending only one hotel as many of us stayed there for the 2012 event and it was far above what we expected. The rate we have been given is also exceptional. When booking, call and refer to the discount code "ChampionCrewConversation." Only ask for Ms. Taylor, Manager, if you encounter an issue when booking listed rates.
Fairfield Inn & Suites/Milwaukee Airport 
6560 S, 13th - Oak Creek,WI 53154
414/570-8888
Contact: Nicole Taylor, Manager
Rate Quoted: $59.00 each night plus 14.1% tax. Reg. rate is $149 weekends
7.5 miles from race location.
2 miles to airport with 24 hr. shuttle service
Cut off date for room rate: May 31
Comments: Deluxe complimentary hot breakfast which includes eggs and sausage. In-room safe, fitness room, indoor pool and hot tub, microwave and refrigerators in all rooms. Free wi-fi. Double queen or king rooms available. Great restaurant within walking distance "Branded Steer" with a variety of entrees offered with a moderately priced menu.
General observation to area: Milwaukee is an oldie but goodie, one of the oldest venues for open-wheel competition. Any grandstand seat is great, as the one mile paved track is small enough to see all around. The track is located inside the Wisconsin State Fairgounds Park. Prepare to pay for parking whether inside the fairgrounds or at private lot outside.
Milwaukee IndyFest Champion Offer
Andretti Sports Marketing is thrilled to bring the stars of the IZOD IndyCar Series back to the Milwaukee Mile at the Wisconsin State Fair Park, the longest continually operating speedway in the world. IndyFest will rumble to life Father's Day weekend, so plan to have your family join three generations of the Andretti family at the Milwaukee IndyFest, June 14 - 15. If you purchase a paddock pass, you will receive 20% off all other tickets that you order! Please visit the following link: Milwaukee IndyFest Tickets and use the password: IndyCarNation
Overall observation to area: The Texas Motor Speedway is a beautiful, modern racing facility with many state of the art amenities. It is built in the country with only a few hotels and restaurants close, none really within walking distance. With that in mind, we are recommending two hotels within 20 miles of the track.
When booking, refer to “ChampionCrewConversation” to receive the posted rate. Only ask for the contact person if you encounter an issue when booking below rates.
Venue: Firestone 550
Dates: 6/6 – 6/9/13
Wingate By Windham, DFW North 
8220 Estes BL, Irving, TX 75063
972-929-4600
Contact Person: Renee Coleman, Sales Manager
Rate Quoted: $69.00 each night, plus 15% tax. Reg. rate $99.00
1 queen bed or 2 double beds at this rate.
Booking Deadline: May 23
Comments: Hotel is 20 miles to the track, 1.8 miles to Dallas/Fort Worth Airport and 10.3 to Love Field Airport. Hotel features a hot, free, expanded, continental breakfast, outdoor pool, free shuttle to DFW Airport and Grapevine Mills Mall. Also free fitness center and spa, minifridge and microwave in rooms and free wi-fi internet access.
Holiday Inn Bedford DFW Airport Area West 
3005 Airport Freeway, Bedford, TX 76021
817-684-6300
Contact Person: Janie Whitley
Rate Quoted: $75.00 each night, plus 13% tax. Reg rate is $99.00
Booking Deadline: May 31
Comments: Hotel is 17 miles to Texas Motor Speedway, 5.7 miles to Dallas/Fort Worth Airport and 15.5 miles to Love Field Airport. Hotel features free shuttle to DFW Airport, free parking, fitness center, wi-fi internet access. A bar and restaurant are on the premises.
Overall observation to area: The Iowa Speedway is located in a rural area in Newton, Iowa. The speedway is pretty well isolated and only within walking distance of one hotel and a gas station/convenience store. The terrain is hilly; therefore, the parking lots may require a strenuous walk to the grandstand area. The paved handicapped parking area behind the grandstand fills up fast and is only available to those who use wheelchairs. Other non-paved areas are used for other handicapped, but close to grandstands. The race is usually a sell-out, so secure tickets early. All grandstand seats are good, the higher the better. Within a short driving distance is the famous Knoxville dirt track, the Amana Colonies, Pella Window Factory and greater DesMoines.
When booking, refer to ChampionCrewConversation to receive the posted rate. Only ask for the contact person if you encounter an issue when booking below rates.
Venue: Iowa Corn Indy 250
Dates: 6/21 – 6/23/13
DesMoines Candlewood Suites 
7625 Office Plaza Dr. North, W. DesMoines, IA 50266
515-221-0001
Contact Person: Kathy Staudt
Rate Quoted: $88.99 each night, plus 12% tax. Reg. Rate is $108.99.
Queen studio suite at this rate.
Booking Deadline: May 21
Comments: Hotel is 41 miles to the Speedway and 16 miles to the DesMoines airport. All rooms have fully equipped kitchens, free wi-fi internet access, complimentary laundry facilities and exercise center.
Quality Inn & Suites Ankeny 
201 SE Delaware AV, Ankeny, IA 50021
515-964-8202
Contact Person: Katie Presler, Assistant General Manager
Rate Quoted: $89.99 each night, plus 12% tax. Reg. rate is $109.99.
Booking Deadline: June 7
Comments: Hotel is 29 miles to the track and 14 miles to the DesMoines airport. Hotel has complimentary hot breakfast, free wi-fi internet, indoor pool and fitness center. Hotel has easy access off I35, exit 92. All rooms are suites that include microwave and refrigerator. Restaurants and bars are within walking distance.
Overall observation to area: Pocono is located in the Pocono resort area, known by northeasterners as a popular honeymoon destination. The track is located in Long Pond, PA, a very small town, covered with wooded hills, lakes and rushing streams. Lots of resorts (summer and winter) in the vicinity, but their prices were high. We are recommending two hotels within 23 miles of the track.
When booking, refer to ChampionCrewConversation to receive the posted rate. Only ask for the contact person if you encounter an issue when booking below rates.
Venue: Pocono INDYCAR 400
Dates: 7/5 – 7/8/13
Pocono Inne Town 
700 Main St., Stroudsburg, PA 18360
570-421-2200
Contact Person: Tony Ruggiero, General Manager
Rate Quoted: $95.99 each night, plus 9% tax. Reg. rate if $109.00
Booking Deadline: June 21
Comments: Hotel is 17 miles from the track and is serviced by the Leigh Valley Airport. The facility is located downtown Stroudsburg, PA. It offers an indoor pool, wi-fi internet, continental breakfast, hot tub, 3 restaurants/bars on the premises. Location is in the heart of the Poconos and is within walking distance to many bars and restaurants. 10 minutes to large outlet center. Free parking.
Econo Lodge 
1075 Wilkes Barre Twp BL, Wilkes Barre, PA 18702
570-823-0600
Contact Person: Carol Plevick, ATM & Sales Director
Rate Quoted: $99.00 each night, plus tax. Reg, rate is $129.00.
Booking Deadline: June 5
Comments: Hotel is 35 miles to the track and 20 miles to the Wilkes Barre Intl. Airport. Facility is 5 miles from the Mohegan Sun Casino and Pocono Downs. A Perkins Restaurant and Bakery is on the property with a pub next door that serves bar food. Free continental breakfast buffet, free wi-fi internet access, microwave and refrigerator in each room. Shopping malls within 1 mile. Hotel is pet friendly – ask for details.
Overall observation to area: Mid-Ohio is located in a very rural setting with few hotels and restaurants available. Camping is popular at this track due to it not being close to amenities. The terrain could be difficult for handicapped to maneuver, but individual golf carts are available for fan rental. Check with the track as soon as possible to reserve your cart. They probably won’t have one available without a reservation race weekend.
When booking, refer to "ChampionCrewConversation" to receive the posted rate. Only ask for the contact person if you encounter an issue when booking below rates.
Venue: Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio
Dates: 8/2 – 8/4/13
Ramada Plaza Hotel & Conference Center 
4900 Sinclair Rd., Columbus, OH 43229
614-854-6017
Contact Person: Amber Waters, Group Sales
Rate Quoted: $67.00 each night, plus 16.75% tax. Reg. rate is $84.00.
Booking Deadline July 12
Comments: Hotel is about 60 miles from the track and 15 miles from the airport. They offer complimentary airport shuttle. The facility offers free wi-fi internet, indoor pool with whirlpool, exercise room, business office, full service restaurant and lounge on the property. Pets are allowed, call for details.
Comfort Inn 
16420 Allenby Dr., Marysville, OH 43040
937-644-0400
Contact Person: Sharon Mullins, Office Manager
Rate Quoted: $69.99 each night, plus 12.75% tax. Reg. rate is $94.99
1 queen or 2 double bed rooms available at this rate.
Booking Deadline July 26
Comments: Hotel is 57 miles from the track and 40 miles from the Columbus Airport. The facility offers free, hot, full breakfast with complimentary coffee and juice in the lobby all the time. It also provides free wi-fi internet, exercise room indoor heated pool, hot tub, and a business center.
Overall observation to area: Toronto is a very metropolitan city that offers much for the tourist to see and do. A trip to the CN tower and a ride on the amphibious vehicle downtown is a must! The downtown hotel rooms are very pricey, so we have chosen a couple of facilities that offer friendly rates and only about 15 minute drive to the track location. You will enter the track through the Exhibition Center. This race is on a temporary street course, making the venue area tight and compact. No food or drinks allowed to enter the track. Track parking is $20+ daily. US Citizens: You must have a passport to enter and exit Canada.
Two events are scheduled, one on Saturday, one on Sunday; one with the traditional rolling start, one with a standing start. This is a first for Toronto, but the second of three doubleheader weekends this season. Both hotels we list are in a suburb of Toronto in Mississauga, Ontario, as their facilities are affordable and a short distance to the event.
When booking, refer to "ChampionCrewConversation" to receive the posted rate. Only ask for the contact person if you encounter an issue when booking below rates.
Venue: Honda Indy Toronto
Dates: 7/12 – 7/14/13
Best Western Plus Toronto Airport 
5825 Dixie Rd., Mississauga, OH L4W4V7
905-670-8180
Contact Person: Marina Nowak, Sales & Catering
Rate Quoted: $78.00 (Canadian) each night, plus 13% tax. Reg. rate $149.00
2 queen beds or 1 king bed rooms are available.
Booking Deadline: June 12
Comments: This hotel is 11.5 miles to the track and 10 to the airport. They offer complimentary airport shuttle, heated indoor pool, mini fridge in all rooms, 24 hr. fitness center and free wi-fi internet. Microwaves are available for additional charge. Complimentary parking, bus stop at front of building to connect to race location. Restaurant with lounge is on site, 2 additional restaurants outside of building. Within walking distance to additional restaurants and bars.
Delta Toronto Airport West 
5444 Dixie Rd., Mississauga, ON L4W4V7
905-206-5949
Contact Person: Andrea Molmar, Sales Manager
Rate Quoted: $90.00 each night, plus 13% tax. Reg. rate is $120.00
Rooms with 2 double beds or 1 queen bed at this rate.
Booking Deadline: June 12
Comments: Hotel is 11 miles to the track and 10 miles to the airport. They provide 24 hr. complimentary airport shuttle. Hotel is on a bus line that can transport to connection to the track. There is a restaurant and lounge on the property. The hotel has an indoor pool and a sauna. Parking charge is $16 per day. They also have an indoor pool and sauna.
C2C Sonoma Hotels, 2013
Overall observation to area: The track is in a rural area about an hour north of SanFrancisco. The Napa Valley in California is rich with farming, especially vineyards. Many vineyards offer tours and tastings. For IndyCar race fans, the Andretti Winery and Foyt tasting room are close and should be in your schedule to visit. Gloria Ferrer Caves and Vineyards, specializing in sparkling wines, is a 3 mile drive north of Sonoma Raceway and is one of the most beautiful, scenic wineries very close to the track. There are no expressways or hotels that lead into the track, only two lane roads. Be prepared for long lines of traffic upon exit. Hotels/motels/bed & breakfasts in the close proximity are either full or very pricey. We have found two hotels within driving distance of the track we are recommending.
When booking, refer to ChampionCrewConversation to receive the posted rate. Only ask for the contact person if you encounter an issue when booking below rates.
Venue: GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma
Dates: 8/23 – 8/26/13
Best Western Inn 
6500 Redwood Dr., Rohnert Park, CA 94928
707-584-7435
Contact Person: Tanya Ward, Manager
Rate Quoted: $76.80 each night, plus 14% tax. Reg. rate is $96.00
2 Queen beds, no smoking room at this rate.
Booking Deadline: July 23
Comments: This hotel is 19 miles to the track, 65 miles to SanFrancisco Intl. Airport, 90 miles to the Sacramento Airport and 62 to the Oakland Airport. The facility features refrigerators in all rooms, outdoor heated pool, indoor spa and a complimentary breakfast. IHOP shares the parking lot. Close on and off the freeway with shopping very close. This hotel is pet friendly – inquire when making reservation.
Palms Inn 
3345 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa, CA 95407
707-568-1011
Contact Person: Kent Grimes, Manager
Rate Quoted: $99.00 each night, plus 11% tax. Reg. rate is $125.00
Booking Deadline: July 23
Comments: This hotel is about 21.5 miles to the track, 70 miles to SanFrancisco Intl. Airport, 90 miles to the Sacramento Airport and 65 miles to the Oakland Airport. The hotel features free parking, hot complimentary breakfast (including pancakes), pool sauna, jacuzzi with a café on the premises along with a well-stocked mini-mart. Refrigerators and microwaves are in each room. On a setting with a lot of green space, this hotel is pet friendly – inquire when making reservation. It also has a barbeque grill for guest use.
Overall observation to area: Baltimore’s Grand Prix will host two IndyCar events this year on the same weekend on a temporary 2 mile street course including the Inner Harbor and Camden Yards area. Most downtown hotels (within race walking distance) are very expensive. We are recommending 2 hotels in the outskirts of the city and both offer transportation to light rail depots. Light rail daily pass sells for $3.50.
When booking, refer to codes below the rate quotes to receive the posted rate. Only ask for the contact person is you encounter an issue when booking below rates.
Venue: Grand Prix of Baltimore
Dates: 8/30 – 9/2/13
Days Inn Baltimore South/Glen Burnie
6600 Ritchie Highway, Glen Burnie, MD 21061
410-761-8300
Contact Person: Jay Nair, Front Desk Supervisor
Rate Quoted: $69.00 each night, plus 13% tax. Reg. rate is $109.00 Queen room or 2 double beds at this rate
ASK FOR DISCOUNT CODE: CCCS when booking
Booking Deadline: July 30
Comments: Hotel is 6 miles to the track and 7.5 to the airport, with free shuttle service to the airport and the light rail station, 8 am–10 pm. The facility offers free wi-fi internet, outdoor pool and a business and fitness center and a complimentary full, hot breakfast.
Candlewood Suites/Baltimore Linthicum
1247 Winterson Rd., Linthicum, MD 21090
410-850-9214
Contact Person: Alicia Long, Sales Director
Rate Quoted: $84.99 each night, plus 13% tax. Reg. rate is $109.99
All rooms are studio suites with Queen bed.
ASK FOR “CHAMPIONCREWCONVERSATION” CODEwhen booking
Booking Deadline: July 30
Comments:
Hotel is 6.5 miles to the track and a mile from the airport with 24 hr. airport transportation. They offer fully equipped kitchens including refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, stove tops and utensils. Also included is free wi-fi internet, fitness center, outdoor pavilion with gas grills for guest use. They will also shuttle to the light rail station. Free parking and a complimentary self-serve guest laundry.
Overall observation to area: The Shell and Pennzoil Grand Prix of Houston will be held on a street circuit in downtown Houston, in an area called Reliant Park. This 1.7 mile, 10 turn temporary road course will host the third and final double header of the season. The IndyCar series returns to this circuit after an absence of 6 years. Downtown hotels are very pricey. We have found two we are recommending less than 11 miles to the track. Be prepared to pay for parking downtown.
Venue: Shell & Pennzoil Grand Prix of Houston
Dates: 10/4 – 10/7/13
Hilton Garden Inn Houston/Westbelt 
6855 W. Sam Houston Parkway S, Houston, TX 77072
713-270-6100
Contact Person: Aliya Amanzholva, Sales Director
Rate Quoted: $79.00 each night, plus 17% tax. Reg. rate is $99.00
King or queen rooms at this rate.
Booking Deadline: September 20
Rate Code: Ask for CCC13 to receive discount
Comments: Hotel is 8.9 miles to the race location; 25 miles to Houston Hobby Airport, 35 miles to Bush Airport. Hotel offers complimentary wi-fi internet, all rooms have refrigerator and microwave. Restaurant will full bar on premises, outdoor pool and whirlpool, fitness center, business center and free parking.
Crown Plaza Houston Galleria
7611 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX 77024
713-680-2222
Contact Person: Lucits Dean, Sales Administrator
Rate Quoted: $89.00 each night, plus 17% Tax. Reg. rate is $119.00
Booking Deadline: September 13
Rate Code: Ask for ChampionCrewConversation to receive discount.
Comments: Hotel is 10.9 miles to the race location; 17.7 miles to Houston Hobby Airport. Facility features free wi-fi internet, restaurant and bar on site, outdoor pool, fitness center. All rooms have microwaves and refrigerators.
Overall observation to area: The Auto Club Speedway is the youngest oval the series utilizes. Born in 1997, owned at birth by Roger Penske, now operated by International Speedway Corporation. The California Speedway is just down the road from memories – Ontario Motor Speedway used by USAC in the early 70s and Riverside International. The track is located in Southern California, east of Los Angeles. It sits very close to freeways and utilizes a train stop on the backstretch to transport race fans from the sprawling areas of So. California.
We are suggesting two hotels in the vicinity, both in Ontario, CA – about 6 miles from the track. Ontario has it’s own major airport within a mile of both hotels, a convenient alternative to Los Angeles International Airport.
Venue: MAVTV 500 @ Auto Club Speedway
Dates: 10/18 – 10/20/13
Magnuson Grand Boutique Suites (formerly Ayres property)
204 N. Vineyard Ave., Ontario, CA 91764
909-937-9700
Contact Persons: Alex or Sonja, Sales
Rate Quoted: $79.00 each night, plus 11.75% tax. Reg. rate is $129.00
King or queen suites at this rate.
Booking Deadline: September 18
Rate Code: Ask for CCCC to receive discount.
Comments: This hotel is 1 mile to the Ontario Airport; 6 miles to the Speedway. They offer free 24 hour airport shuttle. All rooms have a micro kitchen with microwave and mini refrigerator. Ceiling fans in all rooms and in king room, a pull out sofa bed. outdoor pool. They also offer a fully cooked to order breakfast for 2 guests per room. Additional guests cost $10 each. Many restaurants nearby within walking distance.
Quality Inn Ontario Airport
