7/20/2009
Indy Racing League Championship Celebration to Be Held In Trendy South Beach
South Beach will be the eighth city the Indy Racing League Championship Celebration has visited since 2000.
The
stars of the IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights will cap off the
2009 season by celebrating at one of South Beach's newest hot spots and
most exclusive resorts, W Hotel South Beach. The 2009 Championship
Celebration will take place Oct. 11 following the season championship
race at Homestead-Miami Speedway Oct. 10.
The championship festivities at the W South Beach, which held its grand
opening earlier this month, will be held beachside under the stars at
Grove, the hotel's expansive lush outdoor garden and WET, the location
of two dramatic pools overlooking the ocean. The 2009 Championship
Celebration's theme is casual beach flair, inspired by the style of
trendy South Beach. The evening will be highlighted by the presentation
of the IndyCar Series Championship Cup and $1 million bonus to the
IndyCar Series championship-winning team and driver as well as the
championship-winning Firestone Indy Lights team and driver.
"W South Beach is a first-class resort and will be an outstanding venue
to celebrate our champions," said Terry Angstadt, president of the
commercial division of the Indy Racing League. "The spectacular
resort's style and location in the heart of South Beach will set the
perfect scene to reflect back on our exciting 2009 IndyCar Series
season."
South Beach will be the eighth city the Indy Racing League Championship
Celebration has visited since 2000, when the champion was crowned at
the Murat Theatre in Indianapolis, home of the Indy Racing League
corporate office. The following year the celebration took place at The
Speedway Club in Fort Worth, Texas, while the 2003 event was staged at
the House of Blues in Chicago. Disney's Epcot Center and the cruise
ship Disney Wonder hosted the Championship Celebration in 2003 and '04,
respectively, and Paramount Theatre in Hollywood, Calif. was the site
in 2005. In 2006 and '07, the Championship Celebration has taken place
at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway while 2008 saw the Championship
Celebration travel to Las Vegas where it was held at The Palms resort.