(PHOENIX, Ariz.) - Phoenix International Raceway President Bryan R. Sperber has announced that NASCAR Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer Brian France and six-time NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series championship owner Rick Hendrick will be two of the featured panelists at the PIR Business Summit: A Look Behind the Numbers on Friday, November 9.

The PIR Business Summit: A Look Behind the Numbers will provide business personnel an informative and exciting look at the business of America's fastest and hottest sport - NASCAR - all in the environment of a thrilling weekend of NASCAR racing and the Chase for the NEXTEL Cup.

In its fourth year of existence, the PIR Business Summit will present an opportunity for businesses and their leaders to learn the story of NASCAR's meteoric rise amid the landscape of the professional sporting world.

The PIR Business Summit: A Look Behind the Numbers will begin at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, November 9 in PIR's Raceway Club.

"The PIR Business Summit has always presented some of the biggest and most accomplished business professionals in our sport and this year is no exception," Sperber said. "We're thrilled to have two of the most influential stakeholders in the sport join us for this prestigious event."

France, actively involved in NASCAR for more than two decades, is a member of the NASCAR-founding France family and assumed the roles of NASCAR Chairman and CEO in October 2003. France has led the charge on several fronts in recent years, helping to redefine the sport amid a period of unprecedented growth and popularity. He introduced the Chase for the NEXTEL Cup format before the 2004 season as well as its restructuring before the 2007 season. He has led a host of successful marketing initiatives, including internalizing the sanctioning body's licensing efforts and developing NASCAR's consolidated television plans that culminated with NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and NASCAR Busch Series events being broadcast on FOX Sports, FX, NBC Sports and TNT - and, beginning this season, ABC and ESPN. France's efforts have not been unnoticed, as he has been the subject of profiles by major media such as CBS's 60 Minutes, Fortune Magazine, CNBC, and TIME Magazine, who named France as one of its "TIME 100: People Who Shape Our World."

Hendrick, an owner in at least one of NASCAR's premier series since 1983 and a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series owner since 1984, has been the leader behind 10 championships and over 200 combined victories in NASCAR's three top divisions. His Cup-level teams have won at least one race each year since 1986 - the longest active streak - and have averaged nearly 10 wins annually over the last decade. His current NEXTEL Cup Series roster of Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch, and Casey Mears has amassed 10 wins in the first 17 races of the 2007 season, and his current register of high-profile sponsors - including DuPont, Lowe's, Kellogg's, Pepsi, and Chevrolet - is among the best in NASCAR. Hendrick recently announced that in 2008, his NEXTEL Cup Series team will add Dale Earnhardt Jr., the most sought-after free agent in the history of NASCAR.

Both France and Hendrick were named to NASCAR Illustrated's list of the Five Most Powerful Forces in NASCAR in the magazine's July 2007 issue.

Businesses or individuals interested in participating in the 4th annual PIR Business Summit: A Look Behind the Numbers can call Deborah McKee at (623) 463-5632 to reserve a spot today. Tickets are $850 for a table of ten. Individual tickets are also available. Tickets to the Business Summit include admission to Friday afternoon's Bud Pole Qualifying for the Checker Auto Parts 500 Presented by Pennzoil NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race, Friday evening's running of the Casino Arizona 150 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race, and the PIR After Dark Fan Festival.

Presenting sponsors of the 2007 PIR Business Summit include The Arizona Republic, Casino Arizona, FOX 10, and FASTSIGNS SOUTHWEST Goodyear, Arizona.

More information can be found here.

Business contact: Deborah McKee, Corporate Sales Coordinator, PIR
(623) 463-5632 - dmckee@phoenixinternationalraceway.com

Now it's a Dozen Dueling for the Championship during the Semi-Final Showdown in the Chase for the NEXTEL Cup Weekend at PIR, November 8-11, 2007! On Thursday night, November 8th, the USAC Midget and Silver Crown Series return to PIR in the Copper World Classic Presented by FASTSIGNS SOUTHWEST Goodyear, Arizona. Friday night, November 9th, the Craftsman Truck Series drivers roll the dice in the Casino Arizona 150 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race, followed by the PIR After Dark Fan Festival. Saturday's ARIZONA.TRAVEL 200 NASCAR Busch Series race could determine a Busch Series champion, and on Sunday, November 11, it's the Playoffs…NASCAR Style as the stars of the NEXTEL Cup Series battle it out for the NEXTEL Cup Championship in the Checker Auto Parts 500 presented by Pennzoil NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race. Get your tickets today: Call 1-866-408-RACE (7223) or visit www.racetickets.com!