MADISON, Ill. - It was a difficult decision, but at the end of the night at HotShots in O'Fallon, Ill., Sunday, a new Miss Gateway was crowned. Carissa Biele will represent Gateway International Raceway throughout the 2008 racing season both as an at-track ambassador and as part of the travelling promotions team.
"I have truely been blessed to get chosen for such an awesome oppurtunity and am thankful," said Biele, 24. "I am looking foward to the excitment, learning, hard work, acquaintances, and fun that comes along with this position. I am honored and excited to represent Gateway International Raceway and will do so with the best of my ability!"
In addition to her duties as Miss Gateway, Biele is also a youth minister and a radio and television personality. GIR Vice President and General Manager Lenny Batycki said she has the potential to be one of the most well-rounded Miss Gateways in the track's history.
"It's unbelievable what Carissa brings to the position," he said. "She has the ability to get our message out to our fans and be a positive representative of Gateway International Raceway. We're excited to have her onboard and look forward to working with her this year."
Biele earned the title of Miss Gateway before a panel of judges during the event at HotShots that included modeling clubwear and racewear. The contestants were also asked a number of questions about motorsports as well as questions concerning their personal philosophies and goals.
The Fulton, Mo., native will have her work cut out for her. She takes the reigns of Miss Gateway from Danielle Woodruff, an Edwardsville, Ill., resident and the February 2007 InsideSTL.com "Girl Next Door" who brought energy and personality to every event in which she represented the facility.
"Danielle was a key part of our promotions effort in 2007," Batycki said. "She was our first re-vamped Miss Gateway and set the bar very high for all the young women who will wear that title in the future."
As Miss Gateway, Biele will perform the duties of her position at a number of the national events at GIR, including the O'Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals May 2-4, PINKS All Out June 27-28, the Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250 on July 19, and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and ASA Late Model Series events on Sept. 6.
For ticket information on GIR's 2008 events, call 866-35-SPEED or visit GatewayRaceway.com.
"I have truely been blessed to get chosen for such an awesome oppurtunity and am thankful," said Biele, 24. "I am looking foward to the excitment, learning, hard work, acquaintances, and fun that comes along with this position. I am honored and excited to represent Gateway International Raceway and will do so with the best of my ability!"
In addition to her duties as Miss Gateway, Biele is also a youth minister and a radio and television personality. GIR Vice President and General Manager Lenny Batycki said she has the potential to be one of the most well-rounded Miss Gateways in the track's history.
"It's unbelievable what Carissa brings to the position," he said. "She has the ability to get our message out to our fans and be a positive representative of Gateway International Raceway. We're excited to have her onboard and look forward to working with her this year."
Biele earned the title of Miss Gateway before a panel of judges during the event at HotShots that included modeling clubwear and racewear. The contestants were also asked a number of questions about motorsports as well as questions concerning their personal philosophies and goals.
The Fulton, Mo., native will have her work cut out for her. She takes the reigns of Miss Gateway from Danielle Woodruff, an Edwardsville, Ill., resident and the February 2007 InsideSTL.com "Girl Next Door" who brought energy and personality to every event in which she represented the facility.
"Danielle was a key part of our promotions effort in 2007," Batycki said. "She was our first re-vamped Miss Gateway and set the bar very high for all the young women who will wear that title in the future."
As Miss Gateway, Biele will perform the duties of her position at a number of the national events at GIR, including the O'Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals May 2-4, PINKS All Out June 27-28, the Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250 on July 19, and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and ASA Late Model Series events on Sept. 6.
For ticket information on GIR's 2008 events, call 866-35-SPEED or visit GatewayRaceway.com.
