Music City Grand Prix investors Stanton Barrett, Scott Borchetta and Justin Marks drive support for inaugural festival through Trans Am TA2® class race

NASHVILLE, TENNESEE (November 21, 2020) - The Music City Grand Prix announced today that the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli will bring American muscle to the inaugural 2021 race. Mustangs, Camaros and Challengers will be taking over the track Friday and Saturday for TA2® races during the Music City Grand Prix. The three-day festival of speed, sound, food and fun is scheduled for August 6-8, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. 

“We are pleased to partner with Music City Grand Prix to bring Trans Am’s TA2® powered by AEM to Nashville,” said John Clagett, president, Trans Am Race Company “TA2® is our fastest-growing class which races some of America’s most iconic muscle cars side-by-side. Nashville is a great city to celebrate American muscle cars—it’s a city that embraces Americana with a touch of nostalgia while offering up high-octane entertainment—Trans Am is that too, and therefore a perfect addition to the event.” 

Several of Music City Grand Prix’s investors were instrumental in bringing the Trans Am Series race to life. Stanton Barrett, American race car driver, Scott Borchetta, CEO and president, Big Machine Label Group and Justin Marks, former race car driver, will race in the event. 

“The opportunity to be able to race in the first-ever Music City Grand Prix weekend in the Trans Am Series is a dream come true. Working with the Music City Grand Prix team over the last several years to bring IndyCar back to Nashville has already been very gratifying,” said Borchetta. “Now, knowing that the team and I get to be part of our hometown Grand Prix and get the chance to race through the streets (and across the bridge!) downtown, this weekend has a huge circle around it on all of our calendars!”

Music City Grand Prix has already had an opportunity to get involved with the series at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. Today, Scott Borchetta and Justin Marks will race, with Marks in a Music City Grand Prix car, at Road Atlanta’s Trans Am Series. 

“I’m excited to participate in this weekend’s Trans Am Series and, in the process, show my support for the Music City Grand Prix. As a driver, I’m dedicated to sharing my passion for racing,” said Marks. “Getting involved in Music City Grand Prix allows me to do just that while also sharing the best-in-class food, music and entertainment that my hometown serves up.”

“Having investors in our event that not only understand racing, but also participate in it is a huge benefit for our team and will be for our fans next August,” said Jason Rittenberry, COO, Music City Grand Prix. “To bring a racing series that allows them to race in Nashville is special.  We can’t wait to have America’s Road Racing Series in the Music City.”

Racing fans will feel the new sound of Nashville when Trans Am joins GT Racing to bring even more speed to the NTT INDYCAR® SERIES Music City Grand Prix. If you are interested in securing your seats now before the general public, the Music City Grand Prix is offering two distinctive membership initiatives filled with fantastic annual benefits. For details, please visit www.musiccitygp.com/membership or call (615) 565-4650. 

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About Music City Grand Prix
Music City Grand Prix is a three-day international festival of speed and sound featuring an NTT INDYCAR® SERIES event. The event aims to create a comprehensive world-class international destination event that highlights Nashville, Tennessee, the Music City and the Mid-South region. It will include music, food, culture and entertainment centered on the speed, technology, skill and excitement of up-close urban INDYCAR racing. As a privately funded event, Music City Grand Prix is owned and operated by 615GP, LLC. More information is available at www.musiccitygp.com  

About the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli

The Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli began igniting the passion of motorsports fans across the world in 1966 and has been home to some of the greatest names in road racing.  Today, Trans Am continues to honor its legacy, while challenging the status quo in racing through meaningful racing platforms and a driver-oriented focus. The Trans Am Series is operated by The Trans Am Race Company, LLC (TARC), and oversees the management and marketing of the Trans Am Series.

SRO America’s new GT America sprint championship, featuring exotic GT3, GT2, and GT4, joins INDYCAR weekend

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE (November 19, 2020) - SRO Motorsports America and the Music City Grand Prix announce today that the GT America sprint championship will join NTT INDYCAR® SERIES at the inaugural Music City Grand Prix race weekend in Nashville. The three-day street race August 6-8 in Nashville, Tennessee will round out the 2021 SRO racing calendar. 

SRO Motorsports Group is a global leader in GT racing and GT America offers a diverse mix of today’s exotics and sports cars. The series features GT3, GT2, and GT4 homologated race cars from a wide array of manufacturers, including Acura, Aston Martin, Audi, BMW, Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG, and Porsche. With two 40-minute feature races, GT America will bring an action-packed sports car doubleheader for fans at the Music City Grand Prix. 

The Music City Grand Prix makes its debut in 2021. Attendees can look forward to the best Nashville has to offer, including live music performances by top artists, best-in-class chef-curated food experiences and, of course, racing entertainment that centers on speed in a way only Music City can serve up. The 2.17-mile temporary circuit will feature twelve turns, starting at Nissan Stadium, racing over the Korean Veterans Memorial Bridge and the Cumberland River, and into Downtown Nashville. 

“We’re honored to be a part of the inaugural Music City Grand Prix,” said president and CEO of SRO Motorsports America Greg Gill. “GT America offers a bespoke GT racing experience that we know fans will enjoy out on track and in the paddock. For our drivers and teams, Nashville offers a unique opportunity to race with INDYCAR and be a part of a special event.” 

“We are excited to welcome SRO’s GT America to the Music City Grand Prix,” said COO of Music City Grand Prix Jason Rittenberry. “GT America speeding through the streets of Nashville will power great racing and competition while allowing our fans to experience some of the world’s most recognizable exotic and luxury manufacturers. This series adds even more exhilarating on-track motorsports activity to complement the world-class musical and culinary experiences of the weekend.”

Updated GT America 2021 Calendar

• March 6-8: Sonoma Raceway - Sonoma, CA 
• April 30-May 2: Circuit of the Americas - Austin, TX
• June 11-13: VIRginia International Raceway - Alton, VA 
• August 6-8: Music City Grand Prix - Nashville, TN 
• August 27-29: Road America - Elkhart Lake, WI
• September 17-19: Watkins Glen International - Watkins Glen, NY 
• October 15-17: Indianapolis Motor Speedway - Indianapolis, IN 

GT America features live broadcasts on YouTube (GT World) with television coverage on CBS Sports Network. The seven-event championship features the top circuits in North America with two-races per race weekend. 

If you are interested in securing your seats now before the general public, the Music City Grand Prix is offering two distinctive membership initiatives filled with fantastic annual benefits. For details, please visit www.musiccitygp.com/membership or call (615) 565-4650. 

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ABOUT MUSIC CITY GRAND PRIX

Music City Grand Prix is a three-day international festival of speed and sound featuring an NTT INDYCAR® SERIES event. The event aims to create a comprehensive world-class international destination event that highlights Nashville, Tennessee, the Music City and the Mid-South region including music, food, culture and entertainment that centers on the speed, technology, skill and excitement of up-close urban INDYCAR racing. As a privately funded event, Music City Grand Prix is owned and operated by 615GP, LLC. More information is available at www.musiccitygp.com. 

ABOUT SRO MOTORSPORTS GROUP – THE GLOBAL LEADER IN GT RACING

With more than 25 years’ experience at the forefront of a continuously evolving industry, SRO Motorsports Group is the established international leader in GT racing. Best known for the development and implementation of the GT3 and GT4 regulations, SRO promotes and organizes championships that embrace professional and amateur competitors. Its portfolio of highly regarded series includes continental GT World Challenge powered by AWS categories in Europe, America and Asia, which are combined to determine a global manufacturers' champion, while the flagship Intercontinental GT Challenge powered by Pirelli features events on five different continents.  The 2020 season will see more than 100 races run under the SRO Motorsports Group banner, highlighted by the prestigious Total 24 Hours of Spa. In addition to promotion and organization, the company operates SRO Race Centre by MMC – a race-car service centre at Circuit Paul Ricard – and provides the ultimate driving opportunities at world-renowned venues through Curbstone Track Events. SRO Motorsports Group is chaired by company founder and CEO Stephane Ratel. With offices in London, Paris, Liège, United States and Hong Kong.

Teams/Drivers: For further information about GT America and racing at the Music City Grand Prix, please contact GT Series Director, Staci Langham - staci@sro-motorsports.com. 

Follow all the action at sro-america.com and musiccitygp.com and across social channels:

Volunteer opportunities available for Nashville’s inaugural Downtown NTT INDYCAR SERIES urban racing festival

NASHVILLE, TENNESEE (November 6, 2020) - The Music City Grand Prix announced today that it is now seeking candidates interested in volunteering for their inaugural urban racing festival in downtown Nashville. The three-day festival of speed, sound, food and fun is scheduled for August 6-8, 2021.  

“Volunteers are the foundation of any event of this magnitude,” said Music City Grand Prix President Chris Parker. “Nashville knows how to put on big events, and creating a robust base of knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and energetic volunteers is a critical component to our festival. Having tremendous volunteers will help showcase all that Music City has to offer and demonstrate the world-class hospitality Nashville does so well.”

Those interested in learning more can now visit https://musiccitygp.comvolunteer and fill out the brief information form.   

Volunteers will serve in several key areas leading up to the festival and throughout the weekend, including Race Day Ambassadors, Guest Services Aides, Track Services and Downtown Hotel & Transportation Services.

These critical volunteer efforts will be coordinated by the Nashville Sports Council. “The Sports Council has extensive experience coordinating volunteer efforts for major events in Nashville, including the Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville Marathon & Half Marathon, the TransPerfect Music City Bowl and the 2019 NFL Draft,” said Nashville Sports Council COO Jay Grider. “The Sports Council is thrilled to partner with Music City Grand Prix and is excited to help create another exceptional annual event on the Nashville Sport and Entertainment calendar.”  

Help make the Music City Grand Prix a success by applying to volunteer today and sign up for additional festival-related updates at www.musiccitygp.com. 

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About Music City Grand Prix
Music City Grand Prix is a three-day international festival of speed and sound featuring an NTT INDYCAR® SERIES event. The event aims to create a comprehensive world-class international destination event that highlights Nashville, Tennessee, the Music City and the Mid-South region. It will include music, food, culture and entertainment centered on the speed, technology, skill and excitement of up-close urban INDYCAR racing. As a privately funded event, Music City Grand Prix is owned and operated by 615GP, LLC. More information is available at www.musiccitygp.com  

About the Nashville Sports Council

The Nashville Sports Council is a private, non-profit, membership-based organization of area corporations and individual sports enthusiasts. Created in 1992, the Nashville Sports Council’s mission is to positively impact the economy and quality of life of the Greater Nashville Area by attracting and promoting professional and amateur sporting events. The Nashville Sports Council has hosted hundreds of major sporting events that have produced more than $930 million in direct economic impact for the region. For more information call 615-743-3120 or visit NashvilleSports.com. Follow the Nashville Sports Council on Facebook and Twitter.

About INDYCAR
INDYCAR is the Indianapolis-based governing body for North America's premier open-wheel auto racing series known as the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. The series features an international field of the world's most versatile drivers—including six-time series champion Scott Dixon, two-time series champion and Nashville’s own Josef Newgarden, and defending Indianapolis 500 winner Takuma Sato—who compete on superspeedways, short ovals, street circuits and permanent road courses. The 2021 season consists of 17 races and is highlighted by the 105^th  Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, May 30, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IMS Productions are owned by Penske Corporation, a global transportation, automotive and motorsports leader. For more information on INDYCAR and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, please visit www.indycar.com.

Nashville resident helps bring home racing and drive excitement

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE (OCTOBER 15, 2020) - The Music City Grand Prix is proud to announce a formal partnership with Josef Newgarden to serve as spokesperson and brand ambassador for the inaugural urban street race in Nashville Aug. 6-8, 2021. In addition to being a two-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES Champion and member of Team Penske, Newgarden is a current Nashville resident and native of nearby suburb Hendersonville, Tennessee. 

In this role, Newgarden will serve as a liaison between the Music City Grand Prix as well as the drivers and teams in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. He will appear in marketing campaign materials while additionally making appearances with MCGP corporate partners, fans and at community events and activities leading up to and during the race weekend. 

“Having grown up around Nashville, I have seen how the city has grown both in size and offerings,” said Newgarden. “It has become a popular place for people to live, work and play, attracting transplants and tourists alike. My wife Ashley and I love living in Nashville for its vibrancy and hospitality, and I couldn’t be more excited to welcome race fans and my colleagues from the track to see the excitement that will take place next August when the Music City Grand Prix takes over Nashville.”

This is not the first time that Newgarden has invited his fellow INDYCAR drivers to take a glimpse into his life off the track. Newgarden, who proudly brags about a deep background in ping pong, hosts an annual charity table tennis tournament with other drivers and even toppled New York Giants wide receiver and fellow Hendersonville native Golden Tate in a charity head-to-head game. Fans can be on the lookout for Newgarden to bring more special events to Nashville in conjunction with the Music City Grand Prix. 

“This is such a logical partnership. We love the energy that Josef brings to the INDYCAR community both on and off the track,” said Music City Grand Prix CEO Matt Crews. “We couldn’t have found a better match in a well-rounded individual that loves Nashville, loves INDYCAR and loves a good time as much as Josef. This role was made for Josef, and we know he will do an incredible job helping us amp the excitement, reputation and overall experience surrounding the Music City Grand Prix.”

The three-day international festival of speed and sound will be staged on a temporary 2.17-mile grand prix circuit in downtown Nashville and around the Nissan Stadium campus. The course will cross the Cumberland River via the Korean Veterans Memorial Bridge, making the Music City Grand Prix one of the only events in motorsports to cross over a major body of water. In addition to a weekend of racing, attendees can look forward to the best Nashville has to offer, including live music performances by top artists, best-in-class chef-curated food experiences and entertainment that centers on speed in a way only Music City can serve up. 

“I couldn’t be prouder to be competing in the INDYCAR series, racing for Roger Penske and now getting to do both on the streets of my hometown. It is a dream come true,” said Newgarden. 

For more information on the Music City Grand Prix visit https://musiccitygp.commembership or follow along on using @MusicCityGP on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you are interested in securing your seats now before the general public, the Music City Grand Prix is offering two distinctive membership initiatives filled with fantastic annual benefits. For details, please visit www.musiccitygp.com/membership. 

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About Music City Grand Prix
Music City Grand Prix is a three-day international festival of speed and sound featuring an NTT INDYCAR® SERIES event. The event aims to create a comprehensive world-class international destination event that highlights Nashville, Tenn., the Music City and the Mid-South region. It will include music, food, culture and entertainment centered on the speed, technology, skill and excitement of up-close urban INDYCAR racing.  As a privately funded event, Music City Grand Prix is owned and operated by 615GP, LLC. More information is available at www.musiccitygp.com.  

About Josef Newgarden

Josef Newgarden is the reigning NTT IndyCar Series Champion. His 2019 Championship was his second in three years. Since joining the series in 2012, Josef has amassed a total of 17 wins and 11 pole positions. Born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, Josef and his wife Ashley now call the Music City home. He is a versatile athlete who has participated in drills as a celebrity guest at the NFL Combine as well as competed on American Ninja Warrior. Josef also serves as the driver Ambassador for SeriousFun Children’s Network, a family of 30 camps and programs founded by the late Paul Newman that provide free recreational activities for seriously ill children and their families. For more, visit josefnewgarden.com or follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using @JosefNewgarden.  

With never-before-seen track map, event unveils scenic urban street course with unique water crossing

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 16, 2020 – The Music City Grand Prix, in partnership with INDYCAR, is bringing a new sound to Nashville. The Music City Grand Prix announced today that the newest NTT INDYCAR SERIES race will debut Aug. 6-8, 2021, in Nashville, Tennessee. The three-day international festival of speed and sound will be staged on a temporary grand prix circuit in downtown Nashville and around the Nissan Stadium campus.

Attendees can look forward to the best Nashville has to offer, including live music performances by top artists, best-in-class chef-curated food experiences and entertainment that centers on speed in a way only Music City can serve up. 

“The Tennessee Titans and Nissan Stadium are excited to partner with the Music City Grand Prix to bring the NTT INDYCAR SERIES to Nashville and the stadium campus,” said Burke Nihill, president and CEO of the Tennessee Titans. “This is in keeping with our organizational goal of making our city, this venue and our organization as versatile and as busy as possible.”

Never-Before-Seen Track Features

With Nissan Stadium serving as the paddock for the race, the 2.17-mile temporary track will race across the Korean Veterans Memorial Bridge into downtown Nashville and back, making the Music City Grand Prix one of the only events in motorsports to cross over a major body of water.  

The first street course added to INDYCAR since 2013, it features 11 turns and plenty of straightaways for drivers to pass. These and other dynamic features will create an exhilarating experience for both drivers and fans.

“The Music City Grand Prix will be a one-of-a-kind NTT INDYCAR SERIES experience anchored in the heart of Nashville’s action-packed, exhilarating downtown corridor. Nashville is a world-class city and global entertainment capital that provides an exceptional platform for our Series. From professional sports teams and top live music acts to a burgeoning food and culture scene, it is a perfect home for a racing event of this magnitude,” said Mark Miles, president and CEO of Penske Entertainment Corp. “Urban street festivals have become a huge part of our DNA at INDYCAR and this three-day festival—complete with a course that pushes the limits—will highlight everything Nashville and the sport have to offer, providing international travelers, racing enthusiasts and local thrill seekers alike with an experience of a lifetime.”

A Local Event With an International Draw

“Nashville continues to serve as a world-class entertainment and event destination, so adding an urban racing festival of this caliber is a logical next step for the city,” said Butch Spyridon, president and CEO of Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation. “From the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Finals to the 2019 NFL Draft, Nashville knows how to host sporting events of all kinds while making them a party. The Music City Grand Prix underscores why Nashville was named Best Sports City in 2019, and we look forward to the national and international marketing it will bring to the city.”

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES features talented and charismatic drivers from around the globe, including legendary Scott Dixon from New Zealand, two-time Indy 500 winner Takuma Sato from Japan and Nashville’s own two-time series champion, American, Josef Newgarden.

“Nashville is a special place, and the announcement of the Music City Grand Prix truly marks a huge step forward for our community as we look to the future and a return of our thriving and unique entertainment scene,” said Nashville Mayor John Cooper. “This announcement could not have come at a better time. The event represents a tremendous private investment in the city and a catalyst to our economic recovery.” 

In keeping with true Nashville community, the Music City Grand Prix has forged key partnerships in order to bring this privately funded event to fruition. Music City Grand Prix is appreciative for the collaboration with INDYCAR, the Tennessee Titans, the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation, Metro Government of Nashville & Davidson County, the State of Tennessee, the Nashville Sports Council and the Middle Tennessee State University School of Concrete and Construction Management. 

Club RPM and the Founders Experience

While the event will feature a variety of affordable and attractive ticket options to ensure all attendees experience a weekend unlike any other, the Music City Grand Prix is currently offering two distinctive membership initiatives. Club RPM is a premium VIP experience. Early members will gain access to concierge-style service for entertainment reservations, valet parking and entry into the Club RPM lounge at the Bridge Building. Additionally, fans can become a Music City Grand Prix Founder and receive reserved seating, exclusive discounts and priority purchase opportunities on parking, hotels and more. 

Additional information, including the Music City Grand Prix schedules, artist lineup, food experiences and more, will be released at a later date. Visit www.musiccitygp.com to find more details on the event, sign up for Club RPM or become a Founder.

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About Music City Grand Prix
Music City Grand Prix is a three-day international festival of speed and sound featuring an NTT INDYCAR® SERIES event. The event aims to create a comprehensive world-class international destination event that highlights Nashville, Tenn., the Music City and the Mid-South region including music, food, culture and entertainment that centers on the speed, technology, skill and excitement of up-close urban INDYCAR racing.  As a privately funded event, Music City Grand Prix is owned and operated by 615GP, LLC.

About the INDYCAR
INDYCAR is the Indianapolis-based governing body for North America's premier open-wheel auto racing series known as the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. The series features an international field of the world's most versatile drivers - including five-time series champion Scott Dixon, reigning series champion Josef Newgarden and defending Indianapolis 500 winner Takuma Sato - who compete on superspeedways, short ovals, street circuits and permanent road courses. The season currently consists of 14 races in the United States and is highlighted by the historic Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, which is annually run in May, but was held in August at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IMS Productions are owned by Penske Corporation, a global transportation, automotive and motorsports leader. For more information on INDYCAR and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, please visit www.indycar.com.