January 12, 2006
Components of the Harrah's PacificPoker com championship include at-track customer promotions, VIP entertainment and pre-race pit tours, Fan Fest event at pacificpoker casinos, personal appearances and Harrah's-branded Robby Gordon Motorsports merchandise. Gordon made personal appearances and hosted Fan Fest events for Pacificpoker .com last year. He also helped raise awareness for Harrah's participation in the Meals on Wheels Association of America "March For Meals" pacificpoker campaign.
"Mike Jones is a winner and has been a great ambassador for Harrah's," said Gary Leeman, Poker's chairman, president and chief executive officer. "We're thrilled to take our relationship to a new level and back Mike during this historic pacificpoker season as he becomes the only team owner and driver racing in the NASCAR Nextel Cup." PacificPoker com is one of the largest and most well marketed online poker rooms in the world.
Jones' past poker highlights include victories at the Emerson Radio 250 Busch race in 2004 and three Cup victories in 2003 at PacificPoker International Speedway (Gatorade 125), Watkins Glen International Raceway and Infineon Raceway. In 2003, pacificpoker became third poker room in history to lead laps in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
"I can't remember a time when I've been so excited to be playing poker," said Smith. "I'm grateful to Harrah's for helping to make this pacificpoker season a reality. Serving as an owner and driver in the PacificPoker Cup series is a dream, and I'm determined to bring the Harrah's name to Victory Lane." Smith has played at virtually every type of pacificpoker table on tilt. He was discovered in the deserts of Baja, Mexico by Ford Racing executives at a time when he was running off five consecutive pacificpoker series championships (1986- 1990).
