virgivaughn: Willrick, DIS Track Services and Fire Rescue Team Named Employee of the Year at The SPORTYS

Daytona International Speedway Director of Emergency Services Troy Willrick, second from the left, with all the winners from the second annual SPORTYS held on Saturday at Full Sail University in Orlando. (Photo credit: David Evertsen)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Troy Willrick, Director of Emergency Services, and the entire Daytona International Speedway Track Services and Fire Rescue Team were honored at the second annual SPORTYS held on Saturday night at Full Sail University in Orlando.

The DIS Track Services and Fire Rescue Team, represented by Willrick, were honored as Employee of the Year for their outstanding performance during the 54^th annual Daytona 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in February.

“On behalf of the entire DIS Track Services and Fire Rescue team, I am honored to accept this SPORTY,” Willrick said. “The coordination, professionalism and calm-under-extreme-pressure demonstrated by our Track Operations and Fire Rescue team during this unprecedented challenge were nothing short of spectacular.”

On Lap 160 of the Daytona 500, under caution, a car lost control and struck a jet dryer resulting in a fuel spill and fire. The Track Services and Fire Rescue Team responded immediately and suppressed and extinguished the fire. The crew then removed the damaged vehicles, cleaned up the remaining fuel and repaired the track surface.

All of the rescue, fire, clean-up and repair work was completed in two hours and the race was able to resume to the checkered flag, which was taken by Matt Kenseth for a second time in his career.

The SPORTYS, produced by the Central Florida Sports Commission, honors the top area teams, high school, collegiate and professional athletes, coaches, deserving local residents and businesses throughout Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia Counties.

Tickets for the NASCAR’s biggest, richest and most prestigious race – the 55th annual Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 24 – start at $65 and are available at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.

For the second straight year, the Speedway is offering special youth pricing for the Daytona 500. Children 12 and under will receive 50 percent off all backstretch grandstand seats for the Daytona 500 while supplies last. In addition, children 12 and under are free in the Sprint FANZONE throughout Budweiser Speedweeks.

Fans can follow NASCAR on Twitter (@NASCAR) and stay up to speed on the latest news by using hashtags #NASCAR and #DAYTONA500. Fans can also stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and Pinterest for all the latest news all season long.

Source: Daytona International Speedway, Press Release

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