Worldspan
and Turner Sports Interactive, exclusive producer of NASCAR.com, today unveiled the improvements to NASCAR`s official Internet site. Worldspan powers the travel section of the site, which now offers race fans a wider selection of customized travel planning options and features within the distinctive NASCAR.com environment.

Paul J. Blackney, president and chief executive officer for Worldspan
In addition to providing comprehensive air, car and hotel booking on NASCAR.com, Worldspan has gathered several leading travel partners to offer NASCAR.com members new online access to race and venue-specific hotel choices, tours and cruises, and complete vacation packages. Key partners adding to the site are Hotels.com
, National Leisure Group (NLG) and TravelHero.com
.

“NASCAR is one of the fastest growing sports in the nation. By making it easier and more convenient for NASCAR fans to plan and book event-based travel online, Worldspan and our Turner Sports Interactive and NASCAR.com partners are helping to invigorate the travel business and build tourism throughout the United States,” said Paul J. Blackney
, president and chief executive officer for Worldspan. “This is a natural union of a leading sports organization, a leading sports marketing company, and a leading travel company.”

“We couldn`t ask for a better partner than Worldspan to help us provide enhanced online travel planning capabilities for race fans at NASCAR.com,” said Drew Reifenberger, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Turner Sports Interactive and NASCAR.com. “With the wide selection of new content Worldspan has integrated, fans can book a complete vacation built around a NASCAR event that lets them enjoy all the racing action plus the other attractions these exciting venues have to offer.”

The enhanced NASCAR.com travel portal also features a newly customized user interface to match the look-and-feel of the NASCAR.com site.

Under a joint marketing arrangement, Worldspan and Turner Sports Interactive will promote NASCAR.com`s new integrated travel solution via banner advertising on NASCAR.com and through the Web site`s electronic newsletters.

Related stories on ITN:

(18/07/2003) Worldspan’s Blackney to Step Down

(12/03/2003) Worldspan Signs Four Year Contract with lastminute

(05/03/2003) Worldspan to be Acquired by Private Equity Firms

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