CREDENTIAL POLICIES & APPLICATION GUIDELINES
Please review the following information prior to completing the Credential Application Form:
The media application must be completed and accompany a letter of request on company letterhead. Media
credentials at the California Speedway are issued only to recognized newspapers, news/wire services, racing
publications, national and local television news stations and local radio networks, and other publications or
internet sites that regularly cover motor sports. All credential applications must be signed by the editor, sports
editor, photography editor, or sports director, and are subject to verification. No freelance journalist or
photographer will be credentialed on an individual basis. California Speedway reserves the right to make all
decisions regarding who will be granted credentials and the number of credentials issued per news organization.
ALL CREDENTIAL REQUESTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY ESTABLISHED DEADLINE. CREDENTIAL
REQUESTS NOT RECEIVED BY THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE PROCESSED AND ACCESS WILL BE
DENIED.
CREDENTIALS ARE NON-TRANSFERABLE. THE REPRESENTATIVE ISSUED A CREDENTIAL IS
CONSIDERED ON ASSIGNMENT. CONDUCT AS A FAN/SPECTATOR SUCH AS SOLICITATION FOR
A DRIVER’S AUTOGRAPH, SOLICITATION FOR BUSINESS PROSPECTS, ETC. IS STRICTLY
PROHIBITED. ANY MISUSE OF A CREDENTIAL WILL RESULT IN THE IMMEDIATE FORFEITURE OF
THE CREDENTIAL AND ALL PRIVILEGES ASSOCIATED WITH IT.
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. AFFILIATION: Organization, publication, news outlet, etc. This is a required field.
2. REQUESTOR: The person requesting the credentials prints or types name. This is a required field.
3. TITLE: Requestor’s Title; i.e.; editor, sports editor, photography editor, or sports director. This is a required
field.
4. ADDRESS: Address of the affiliation. This is a required field.
5. PHONE: Phone number of the requestor. This is a required field.
6. FACSIMILE #: Fax number of the requestor. Must provide to receive a confirmation letter via Fax.
7. E-MAIL ADDRESS: E-mail address of the requestor. Must provide for the requestor to receive a
confirmation letter via e-mail.
8. E-MAIL ADDRESS (Sec): Secondary E-mail address. Available to the requestor to have another copy of
confirmation letters sent.
9. NAME: First and last name of the representative.
10. ATTENDING: Check day the representative will be providing media coverage for the affiliation (T – Thursday,
F – Friday, Sa – Saturday, or Su – Sunday).
11. CREDENTIAL: Two credential types will be used by working media for this event; NASCAR issued Annual
Hard Card (AHC) and the California Speedway “MEDIA” Credential. For each representative, under the
appropriate Credential, enter the letter code for the function to be performed by that individual. Function
codes for this event are: W - Writer/Journalist/Reporter, P – Photographer (Stills), C – Camera (Video
Stream), R – Radio, or O – Other. A code entry is required to determine access privileges.
12. ACCESS: Select the access areas requested for each representative. Every attempt will be made to
accommodate your request based upon the representative’s function & any information provided in an
accompanying cover letter. Access stickers are applied to the face of the credential.
a) Gar – NASCAR Garage
NASCAR provides a limited number of NEXTEL Cup, BUSCH, and CRAFTSMAN Truck Garage Passes. The
NEXTEL Cup Pass provides access to all three garages; the BUSCH Pass provides access to BUSCH and
CRAFTSMAN Garages; and the CRAFTSMAN Pass is limited to the truck garage. These passes are limited
and not everyone will be issued a NEXTEL Cup Garage Pass.
NASCAR will be providing the California Speedway a limited number of Garage Passes that will be good for
both “Hot” & “Cold” periods of operation. For this event there will not be a separate transferable garage Hot
pass as in the past. Each pass will be for the representative that it has been issued to. Sanctioning officials
reserve the right to change this policy at any time.
b) HOT – NASCAR Hot Pass
There will be a limited number of NASCAR Hot Passes for the media that will be transferable. These passes
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CREDENTIAL POLICIES & APPLICATION GUIDELINES
will be very limited & will not be provided to everyone in the affiliation. Each affiliation/representative will be
required to manage the amount of hot passes that are provided.
b) DL – Deadline Media
If a writer or photographer requires a seat for data transmission, then check “DL”. Seating is pre-assigned.
MC – Media Center Sticker
Admittance to the Media Center. Access to the working areas in the media center is reserved for media on
deadline (check DL) during the races. The media center is located on the lower level of the infield Terrace
Suites behind pit road.
TP – Terrace Press Sticker
Admittance to the Terrace Press Box (located on the Terrace Suite Level, next level above the media center).
The Terrace Press sticker allows access to the Terrace Press Box and to the Media Center. Access to the
working areas in the terrace press box is reserved for media on deadline (check DL) during the races.
SB – Sky Box Press Sticker
Admittance to the Sky Box Press (located above grandstand). The Skybox sticker allows access to the Terrace Press Box
and Media Center. The Terrace Press Box also allows access to the Media Center.
VL – Victory Lane
Admittance to Victory Lane (Winner’s Circle) area after each race concludes. Media access is strictly
limited. No individual interviews will be granted in Victory Lane. The winner will be provided to TV stations
immediately following live television and radio interviews. The winner will also be available in the press
conference room. The track will provide a molt box. Everyone will receive the same feed and have the same
opportunity to ask questions.
13. PARK: Please indicate if a parking pass is required. Reserved parking spaces are located in the Infield
Media Parking Lot, located east side of the garages, inside turn 1. A limited number of spaces are allocated
per news organization based on availability. Please be aware that not every representative will be issued a
parking pass in the reserved lot. Parking passes may be issued in the infield near the water tower. Vehicles
not displaying the proper parking pass will be towed. Parking Passes are required for every vehicle on
Sunday. Everyone is encouraged to make prior arrangements to carpool whenever possible.
14. HOTEL RESERVATIONS: If your affiliation needs hotel accommodations, please indicate by checking the
box below the “NAME” column and a Hotel Request Form will be faxed to you. Hotel rooms are extremely
limited and are booked on a first in basis. The deadline is usually about 30 days prior to the event.
Credential Pick-Up.
To receive credentials you must be at least 18 years old and sign a legal waiver releasing California Speedway
from liability. Each credential must be picked up and individually signed by the person to whom it is issued.
Photo identification is required. Credentials will not be mailed. Credentials are available only at the Speedway’s
Credential Office located on the southwest side of the track, just outside the tunnel entrance.
Dress Code.
Appropriate attire is required at all times when entering the pit, garage and media areas. No open-toed shoes,
shorts or uncovered shoulders. Shirts and shoes are always required.
NOTEs:
All requests are reviewed by the California Speedway and NASCAR Images (when applicable) with regards to
broadcast (radio & television) licensing and agreements that are in place for all events. Credentials are issued to
personnel on assignment from recognized and accredited publications or news services. Verification of
circulation may be required.
Commercial exploitation of any California Speedway event and/or its participants is strictly prohibited without prior
written consent. A list of clients and statement of usage must be filed, and a fee may be accessed.
Each photographer will be issued a vest which must be worn at all times. Not every photographer will receive
photographer access due to space availability. Selling of photography is a commercial venture and is prohibited
on track property without a weekend vendor license.
Pit notes (including driver quotes), updated bulletins, qualifying/practice results, and team/manufacturer
information are available on a daily basis to all media representative covering races events.
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