A black-and-white carpet, checkerboard-patterned lighting fixtures, and cocktail tables made from tire rubber set the racecar-theme scene for the Nascar Nextel Cup Series Champion’s Party. Held at Marquee, this year’s celebration honored Jimmie Johnson, the 2006 Cup Series champion, and drew about 1,400 guests, including top Nascar drivers Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon and celebrity fans including Jamie Foxx. Mary Jo Andretti, manager of customer hosting for Sprint/Nextel, worked with the Strategic Group’s special event department to produce, design, and manage the event.“Our goal was to bring the two worlds of Nascar and New York City together,” said Dean Kessel, director of Nascar Nextel Cup Series marketing.
Partygoers entered the event through a white tent installed outside of the nightclub. Inside, guests lounged on yellow banquettes scattered with checkerboard pillows and snacked on concession-stand favorites such as homemade potato chips and mini pizzas from Chef & Company. Gobos and flat-screen TVs displayed Nascar and Nextel images on the club’s walls. The party lasted until 4 AM—one of the rare nights Marquee was closed to the public.
—Lisa Cericola
Posted 12.05.06
Photos: Andrew Bicknell
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Partygoers entered the event through a white tent installed outside of the nightclub. Inside, guests lounged on yellow banquettes scattered with checkerboard pillows and snacked on concession-stand favorites such as homemade potato chips and mini pizzas from Chef & Company. Gobos and flat-screen TVs displayed Nascar and Nextel images on the club’s walls. The party lasted until 4 AM—one of the rare nights Marquee was closed to the public.
—Lisa Cericola
Posted 12.05.06
Photos: Andrew Bicknell
Related Stories
Gentlemen, Start Your Engines
TV Upfronts Offer Song-and-Dance Sales Pitches
Marquee Drives Nascar Crowd