Daytona

Danny Wimmer Presents Culminates Live Music Series with Grand Finale at Welcome To Rockville – Florida’s Biggest Rock Experience

Published

4 years ago

October 14, 2021

Metallica performs at Louder Than Life. Photo: Steve Thrasher.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (FNN) – America’s largest independent festival producer Danny Wimmer Presents launched the 2021 music festival season this fall with a series of memorable, record-breaking events that will culminate in less than one month at Welcome To Rockville, November 11-14 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, FL. This massive rock n’ roll finale will feature can’t-miss sets from Metallica (two unique sets over two nights), Slipknot, Rob Zombie, Disturbed, Lynyrd Skynyrd (in their last North Florida performance), A Day To Remember, The Offspring and many more.

Welcome To Rockville continues DWP’s celebration of the return of live music in 2021, following the biggest crowd ever for Louder Than Life in Louisville, KY (160,000) as well as sold-out events for Aftershock (145,000) in Sacramento, CA and Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival (75,000) in Mansfield, OH.

Florida’s Biggest Rock Experience will also feature a main stage performance from the “Battle For The Big Stage: Road To Rockville Edition” winner Whit3 Collr. They beat out thousands of hopeful contenders as part of the virtual competition hosted by “That Space Zebra Show” on DWPresents Twitch channel, where tens of thousands of fans voted for their favorite artists in real time each week.

“When we announced our fall festivals for this year, we could already sense the excitement, we knew how eager bands were to get back on stage, and how long fans had been waiting for something to celebrate. But these festivals have been on another level,” says DWP Founder Danny Wimmer. “Nobody’s taking anything for granted, everyone is giving 110%. There’s something special happening, not just with the bands’ performances, but the energy that the crowds are giving back. The rock n’ roll spirit is bigger than I’ve ever felt it. Welcome To Rockville is the grand finale of our festival season, and as a fan I can’t wait to feel that energy one more time in 2021.”

Fans from around the world can tune in to “That Space Zebra Show” hosted on DWPresents Twitch channel (https://www.twitch.tv/dwpresents) during Welcome To Rockville for select livestreamed performances, exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes content. “That Space Zebra Show” on DWPresents Twitch logged over 1 million live views for DWP’s first three festival streams (Inkcarceration, Louder Than Life, Aftershock) leading up to the Welcome To Rockville finale.

In addition, DWP has just announced the Welcome To Rockville Campground Stage with nightly performances for campers-only after the main stage performances wrap each night from Thursday through Saturday, as well as a campground kick-off party on Wednesday. The Campground Stage music lineup will be announced early next week. Festival and camping passes are on sale now at https://welcometorockvillefestival.com/.

Those attending Welcome To Rockville in-person will also be the first to learn the 2022 headliners for WTR as the announces will happen from the festival each night.

The 2022 DWP festival calendar as of now includes:

Welcome To Rockville (https://welcometorockvillefestival.com): May 19-22, 2022

Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival (www.Inkcarceration.com): July 15-17, 2022

Louder Than Life (www.LouderThanLifeFestival.com): September 22-25, 2022

Aftershock (www.AftershockFestival.com): October 6-9, 2022

2022 passes for Inkcarceration, Louder Than Life, Aftershock and Welcome To Rockville are available now for just $10 – $22 down, for a limited time.

Here are some highlights from DWP’s 2021 festivals so far:

Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival set a new record with 75,000 music fans rocking out at the sold-out September 10-12 event on the historic grounds of The Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio – a site made famous by the movie The Shawshank Redemption. Inkcarceration featured a massive lineup with some of the biggest names and brightest new stars in rock and metal, including headliners Slipknot, Rob Zombie and Mudvayne (in their first show in over 10 years), as well as A Day To Remember, Mastodon, Halestorm, Chevelle, Killswitch Engage, Beartooth, Motionless In White, Steel Panther, Fever 333, The Hu, Pop Evil and many more. In addition to the diverse music lineup, the festival featured more than 50 tattoo artists, nightly tattoo competitions, and tours of the famous Ohio State Reformatory prison. Said Mansfield News-Journal of the weekend, “Ink [was] flowing, metal roaring again with Inkcarceration at Ohio State Reformatory.”

Louder Than Life, America’s Biggest Rock Festival, made its triumphant return in Louisville, Kentucky September 23, 24, 25 & 26 with a record-setting attendance of 160,000 people who enjoyed the expanded four-day weekend. The sixth edition of Louder Than Life featured a massive and eclectic music lineup, with Metallica (two nights / two unique sets), Disturbed and Korn in headlining performances. There were several other important milestones throughout the festival weekend including Judas Priest making a stop on their 50^th anniversary tour, Anthrax celebrating 40 years and Machine Gun Kelly playing tracks from his album Tickets To My Downfall on the one-year-to-the-day anniversary of the album’s release. In addition, festivalgoers were able to enjoy award-winning bourbons, whiskey, spirits, craft beer, and the best food Louisville has to offer. Said Courier Journal of the weekend, “It’s back and it’s amazing.” While LEO Weekly contemplated, “How will DWP top this for Louder Than Life 2022? I don’t know, but I’m looking forward to seeing you all there again for it.”

One of the largest events to be held in Sacramento, California in two years, Aftershock returned to Discovery Park October 7-10 with a memorable four-day weekend, welcoming a record-setting attendance of 145,000 fans and retaining its title as the West Coast’s Biggest Rock Festival. Metal giants Metallica continued their partnership with DWP at Aftershock, delivering an incredible two unique sets over two nights including hits from the band’s 40-year catalogue, as well as playing Metallica (The Black Album) in full from back to front in honor of the record’s 30^th anniversary. Other memorable moments at the 9^th edition of Aftershock included a headlining appearance from The Original Misfits, who helped usher in the Halloween season with a rousing horror-punk performance on Saturday night, as well as a Thursday closing set from Cypress Hill. The diverse Aftershock 2021 lineup also included Anthrax, Rancid, The Offspring, Social Distortion, Rise Against, Volbeat, Machine Gun Kelly, Mastodon, Gojira, Seether, Mudvayne, Testament, Dropkick Murphys, Pennywise, Mammoth WVH and many more.

Sacramento Bee said, “The return of the Aftershock Festival following a 2020 hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic is one of the country’s most anticipated hard rock events this year…Aftershock is also music to the ears of civic and tourism officials who are eager for a much needed economic boost.” Elsewhere, East Bay Express and San Jose Mercury News said Aftershock has “become the place to be for headbangers over the years, annually offering up the best that these heavy music genres have to offer.”

Danny Wimmer Presents is one of the largest independent producers of destination music festivals in America with events including Aftershock, Bourbon & Beyond, Epicenter, Hometown Rising, Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival, Louder Than Life, Sonic Temple Art + Music Festival, and Welcome To Rockville.

Auto Racing

Chris Buescher Wins, Bubba Wallace Clinches Playoffs at Daytona’s Coke Zero 400

Published

2 years ago

August 27, 2023

Mike Brodsky

Photo Credit: Rafael Crisostomo

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Florida National News) – Chris Buescher has won the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway, and Bubba Wallace has secured the 16th and final spot in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. This will be Wallace’s first time racing for a championship.

Chris Buescher in Victory Lane after the Coke Zero 400. Photo Credit: Mike Brodsky (Florida National News)

Wallace had entered the race in 16th place, but a victory from a driver below the cut line could have knocked him out of the playoffs. An early accident took out several drivers including Ty Gibbs, Ryan Blaney, and several others. A spectacular crash late in the race by Ryan Preece had him flipping at least ten times over the grass. Fortunately, he was able to exit the vehicle.

Bubba Wallace clinches Playoffs. Photo Credit: Mike Brodsky (Florida National News)

The sixteen drivers in the Playoffs include the points leaders William Byron, Martin Truex Jr., Denny Hamlin, Chris Buescher, Kyle Busch, Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, Ross Chastain, Brad Keselowski, Tyler Reddick, Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, Michael McDowell, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Kevin Harvick, and Bubba Wallace.

NASCAR’s first Playoffs Round of Sixteen race takes place next weekend at Darlington, Sunday, September 3rd. Each three-week round of the playoffs will reduce the field by four drivers, leading up to the Season Finale on Sunday, Nov. 5th at Phoenix Raceway, featuring the final four drivers competing for the NASCAR Cup Series championship.

Be sure to stay tuned to Florida National News (www.FloridaNationalNews.com) and Florida Sports Channel (www.FloridaSportsChannel.com) for more.

Auto Racing

Last Chance For NASCAR Playoffs at Coke Zero 400 in Daytona

Published

2 years ago

August 25, 2023

Mike Brodsky

Photo Credit: Mike Brodsky (Florida National News)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Florida National News) – NASCAR fans are already packing the Daytona International Speedway as the regular season comes to its finale Saturday, August 26, with the Coke Zero 400. While fifteen drivers have already secured a spot in the playoffs, the 16th is still up for grabs based on the race results.

Fans at Daytona International Speedway. Photo Credit: Mike Brodsky (Florida National News)

The fifteen drivers who are already guaranteed a spot in NASCAR’s first Playoffs Round of Sixteen race at Darlington, Sunday, September 3rd include the current points leaders Martin Truex Jr., Denny Hamlin, William Byron, Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson, Brad Keselowski, Chris Buescher, Ross Chastain, Ryan Blaney, Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, Tyler Reddick, Joey Logano, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Michael McDowell. The top two drivers, Truex and Hamlin, will compete Saturday night to win the Regular Season Championship. There are seventeen drivers who are competing at the Coke Zero 400 for that final spot in the postseason. Bubba Wallace is currently in 16th place, and could clinch with 24 points. Ty Gibbs and Daniel Suárez could clinch with enough points to pass Wallace or with a victory. AJ Allmendinger, Alex Bowman, Chase Elliott, Austin Cindric, Justin Haley, Ryan Preece, Aric Almirola, Todd Gilliland, Corey LaJoie, Erik Jones, Austin Dillon, Harrison Burton, Chase Briscoe and Ty Dillon need to win on Saturday night to secure their spot in the playoffs.

Bubba Wallace competes for a spot in the Playoffs. Photo Credit: Mike Brodsky (Florida National News)

Each three-week round of the playoffs will reduce the field by four drivers, leading up to the Season Finale on Sunday, Nov. 5th at Phoenix Raceway, featuring the final four drivers competing for the NASCAR Cup Series championship. Joey Logano is the reigning champ after winning in Phoenix last season.

The action begins Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. Be sure to stay tuned to Florida National News (www.FloridaNationalNews.com) and Florida Sports Channel (www.FloridaSportsChannel.com) for more.

Daytona

Paasch Makes Another Last-Second, Daring Pass to Win His Second Straight DAYTONA 200

Published

3 years ago

March 12, 2022

FNN SPORTS

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – Source: Daytona International Speedway // TOBC Racing’s Brandon Paasch executed his DAYTONA 200 plan to perfection Saturday, loitering around at the back of a four-rider pack until the time was right to pull the trigger on his Triumph Speed Triple RS.

Brandon Paasch (center), raises his first place Daytona 200 trophy as second place rider Cameron Petersen (left) and third place rider Sheridan Morais also celebrate in Ruoff Victory Lane at Daytona International Speedway Saturday, March 12, 2022. Photo: Rafael Crisostomo/Florida National News.

As it turns out, the 20-year-old had just the right amount of ammo at his disposal. He exited the Le Mans chicane in fourth place, went down low on the banking, and started making moves until delivering the final dagger with a double-draft pass on Cameron Petersen and Sheridan Morais at the finish to win his second successive DAYTONA 200 – this one by just .007 of a second.

Brandon Paasch showcases his prizes for winning the 2022 Daytona 200 at Daytona International Speedway Saturday, March 12, 2022. Photo: Rafael Crisostomo/Florida National News.

Paasch had spent his afternoon at Daytona International Speedway lurking at the back of the lead group – no matter how many riders it consisted of. But when it came down to his final pit stop, the only way he was going to be in a position to battle for victory was to take on just fuel and not tires.

The New Jerseyan got in and out of the pits quickly and found himself just behind the duo of SYNTAINICS Racing’s Morais and Squid Hunter’s Josh Hayes, the pair smartly squabbling over second and all the while pulling themselves to the back of Petersen, the South African alone and helpless as he watched his four-second lead evaporate all too quickly. Suddenly, it was a four-rider race to the finish and the man at the back was the man at the front when he needed to be. At the finish.

Paasch beat Attack Performance Yamaha’s Petersen by the .007 margin with Morais third, another .057 behind, with Hayes fourth and .126 of a second from victory.

Fifth place went to Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Richie Escalante, some 46 seconds behind Paasch, but well clear of four-time Daytona 200 winner Danny Eslick on the second TOBC Racing Triumph.

TSE Racing’s Harry Truelove, who races in the British Superbike Series, was just a tick behind Eslick at the finish and some eight seconds ahead of Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Geoff May. Disrupt Racing’s Hayden Gillim and Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC’s Josh Herrin rounded out the top 10.

Pole-sitter Herrin was in the lead group when he ran out of fuel on his way to the first pit stop, coasting to pit lane and losing gobs of time in the process; and 2021 MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne, who qualified third-fastest, lasted only a few laps in the 200 before pulling out due to back pain from his crash in the morning warm-up session.

Paasch averaged 113.162 mph in winning the race and he also set the fastest lap of the race, a 1:49.959, en route to snagging his second Rolex watch.

Paasch, who gave Yamaha its 27^th victory in the 2021 Daytona 200, brought Triumph its fourth victory in the 200 and the first since Eslick won on a TOBC Triumph in 2014.

The race was red-flagged on the seventh lap when Jose Lloreda crashed exiting the chicane, leaving debris on the racetrack.

DAYTONA 200 Top-10 Finishers

Brandon Paasch (Triumph)
Cameron Petersen (Yamaha)
Sheridan Morais (Yamaha)
Josh Hayes (Yamaha)
Richie Escalante (Suzuki)
Danny Eslick (Triumph)
Harry Truelove (Yamaha)
Geoff May (Suzuki)
Hayden Gillim (Suzuki)
Josh Herrin (Ducati)

Mission King Of The Baggers
It seems that no matter what kind of motorcycle you race at Daytona International Speedway, strategy and timing are so important on the run to the checkered flag.

In Saturday’s Mission King Of The Baggers race two, Ulsterman Jeremy McWilliams made a perfect pass, at the perfect time, to take the victory. The Mission Foods/S&S Cycle Indian Challenger racer has competed on all kinds of motorcycles, and in road races all over the world (including Daytona nearly 20 years ago), and he put his experience and racecraft to good use when he rocketed past Roland Sands Design Indian rider Bobby Fong, who was in the lead on the final lap. With the finish line in sight, McWilliams’ teammate Tyler O’Hara also drafted past Fong to take second place, relegating Fong to third. It was an all-Indian podium in the Harley-Davidson versus Indian Big Twin racing series.

Twins Cup
The final event of the day was in Twins Cup, and their second race of the weekend was, once again, action-packed. Fluid on the track caused multiple riders to crash on the opening lap, and the race was red-flagged and restarted with a five-lap sprint to the checkers. Eight riders were at the front and in it to win as the laps wound down. At the checkered flag, Cycle Tech Yamaha rider Hayden Schultz got the win, which was the first of his MotoAmerica career. Veloce Racing Aprilia’s Jody Barry finished second, just .241 of a second behind Schultz, and Italian expatriate Tommaso Marcon, .256 of a second behind Barry, rounded out the podium in third in a wild-card ride for Robem Engineering Aprilia.