ServiceMaster Clean 'Extra Mile Award' to Dover Track Services Leader
Karl Kiessling has 37 Years of Service at Dover International Speedway
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (May 11, 2010) – ServiceMaster Clean today announced the selection of Karl Kiessling, crew chief of the Turn 3 track services team at Dover International Speedway, as the recipient of the “Extra Mile Award.”
Kiessling is the second recipient of the award created earlier this year by ServiceMaster Clean to recognize the efforts of track service personnel whose contributions often go unnoticed, but are vital to the success of the event. Texas Motor Speedway’s John Ridenour was honored last month.
“Karl definitely typifies the type of leader we look for in an Extra Mile Award recipient,” said Jim Wassell, chief marketing officer for ServiceMaster Clean. “For nearly 40 years, he has poured everything he has into this track, and his sons, Aaron and Nick, are following in his footsteps. I have said it before and I will say it again, these behind-the-scenes personnel are integral to the sport of racing – without folks like Karl, these races would simply not come off the same.”
The recipient can be any member of the track staff that works in a service-oriented position. Track management personnel select the winner. Kiessling will receive special awards and recognition this weekend including Sunday’s pre-race ceremonies for the Autism Speaks 400 presented by HERSHEY’S Milk & Milkshakes.
Kiessling was a natural choice at Dover. He is in his 37th year of service at “The Monster Mile.” He joined the track services team in 1974 while on active duty at Dover Air Force Base. After completing active duty, he took a civilian position at DAFB in 1978 and continued to work races at DIS. When competition gets underway Thursday, he will be at his familiar station in Turn 3, serving as the crew chief and driver of the service vehicle. Whenever the Monster Mile creates havoc, Kiessling ensures his crew returns the track to race ready conditions in a safe and expedient manner.
There’s more Kiessling involvement at Dover as both his sons, Aaron and Nick, have been a part of the track services team for more than 15 years.
“Karl goes above and beyond the normal duties of a crew chief by initiating new ideas and solutions to make our team more effective,” said Denis McGlynn, president and CEO of Dover Motorsports, Inc. “Karl has truly embraced our mission to provide a professional and expedient level of service to our fans and competitors through our core values of knowledge, integrity and dedication.”
In addition to his sons, Kiessling will be joined by his wife, Denise, and daughter-in-law, Christy, for the award presentations.
ServiceMaster Clean is in its second season as the official sponsor of caution periods at Dover International Speedway and the 19 International Speedway Corp. (ISC) and Speedway Motorsports Inc. (SMI) tracks.
ServiceMaster Clean also operates within an industry where tasks and efforts are not always recognized, but rely on those behind the scenes to make it happen and keep things running.
In homes and businesses across North America, a yellow ServiceMaster Clean van means cleaning and restoration is being done quickly and professionally by America’s number one cleaning team.
About ServiceMaster Clean
With more than 4,500 franchise locations around the world, ServiceMaster Clean serves customers through a global network of franchises that provide janitorial services, commercial carpet cleaning, hard surface floor care, residential carpet and upholstery cleaning, and disaster restoration services. The company has been a market leader for more than 60 years. For more information, visit www.servicemasterclean.com.
ServiceMaster Clean is part of the ServiceMaster family of brands, one of the world’s largest and most versatile service networks. The company’s brands include TruGreen, TruGreen LandCare, Terminix, American Home Shield, ServiceMaster Clean, Merry Maids, Furniture Medic and AmeriSpec. ServiceMaster Clean is committed to its franchise owners. Our ability to offer qualified prospects up to 80 percent financing to start their cleaning business is just one of the many benefits of our program. Visit our franchise Web site at www.ownafranchise.com to learn more about the opportunities available with ServiceMaster Clean.
About Dover International Speedway
Dover International Speedway is owned by Dover Motorsports, Inc. (NYSE: DVD), a leading promoter of motorsports events in the United States. DVD subsidiaries operate three tracks in three states, and present several hundred motorsports events each year. This includes 14 major, national events which include races sanctioned by NASCAR and the NHRA. Dover Motorsports, Inc. also owns and operates Gateway International Raceway near St. Louis, Mo., and Nashville Superspeedway near Nashville, Tenn. For further information log on to www.DoverMotorsports.com.
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