Kyle Busch Looks for First Sprint Cup Series Win at Charlotte Motor Speedway

Kyle Busch will be even happier if he wins the up coming Bank of America 500
Kyle Busch will be even happier if he wins the up coming Bank of America 500

Concord, North Carolina (Oct. 12, 2013) – Kyle Busch will be looking to win at the Charlotte Motor Speedway for the thirteenth time during the upcoming Bank of America 500 Sprint Cup Series race on October 12, 2013. His twelve victories at the old track in North Carolina rank him first in Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series wins, but he still hasn’t managed to win a Sprint Cup Series race on the legendary 1.5-mile superspeedway in Charlotte.

Charlotte Motor Speedway is a 1.5-mile monster drivers either love or hate, or both
Charlotte Motor Speedway is a 1.5-mile monster drivers either love or hate, or both

Kyle recently stated he was looking forward to getting his first Sprint Cup Series win during the Bank of America 500, and taking home a Bruton Smith trophy to put on his mantle.

Kyle is ready to race on October 12 for his chance at a championship
Kyle is ready to race on October 12 for his chance at a championship

Kyle Busch “That elusive win in the Cup series has eluded us here,” Busch said. “We’ve had a lot of great runs – some second place finishes and third place finishes and a lot of good runs where we’ve led a lot of laps, but in the last run of the race it seems like we’re just a little bit off. But we’re looking forward to Oct. 12 here at the Bank of America 500 and being able to take home one of those nice gold (Bruton Smith) trophies.”

Kyle will need to have a strong Bank of America 500 on October 12, if he wants to make a run at winning the Chase. This race will be the fifth of the ten races included in the Chase, and he’ll need to have a strong position heading into this event. His overall record on this superspeedway gives him a good chance, one would think, but anything can happen out on the track. Once you get out there all previous records get thrown out the window and it’s everybody for himself. He’ll need Lady Luck on his side, if he’s going to be successful.

Kyle certainly knows the value of this race, “You want to get off to a good start (in the Chase),” he said. “Our team, the Joe Gibbs Racing team, obviously has gotten off to a good start. Once you get past the halfway point, that’s sort of when you define the contenders… That’s when you know who you’re going to be racing against for the championship.”

Winner of two Bank of America 500 races and NASCAR legend Dale Jarrett was recently asked if he had some advice to give Kyle Busch on how to win at the old track in North Carolina. “What am I going to tell Kyle Busch about winning here? He obviously knows how to win,” said Jarrett, who was seated in front of all 12 of Busch’s trophies from his Nationwide and Camping World Truck series wins at Charlotte. “He’s, if not the best driver I’ve seen come through the ranks of NASCAR, he’s certainly one of the top three. It’s just incredible what he does with a racecar. What I can offer is that, as much as you can have a good car – he has plenty of talent – but good fortune is probably the best thing you can have on your side.”

Kyle Busch fans can watch their hero race for his thirteenth win and first Sprint Cup Series victory at the superspeedway in Charlotte on October 12, 2013. They can also catch all of the fun happening on October 10 and 11, like the Bojangles’ Pole Night and the UNOH Southern Slam, and the Dollar General 300. Just tell them Warren sent you over to have some fun.

Third Annual Better Half Dash on Bojangles’ Pole Night

The 201 Better Half Dash is expected to be even more fun
The 201 Better Half Dash is expected to be even more fun

Concord, North Carolina (Sept. 26, 2013) – Ladies start your engines! The girls of NASCAR are set to race 25 laps for charity during the third annual Better Half Dash on October 10 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. The last two events saw Jacquelyn Butler walk away with the prized six-foot pink trophy in 2011. Last year the wife of NASCAR driver Travis Pastrana, Lyn-z Pastrana, drove to victory during the second annual Better Half Dash. This year last seasons champion indicates she is looking forward to repeating her success at Charlotte.

Lyn-z showing off her 2012 big pink Better Half Dash trophy
Lyn-z showing off her 2012 big pink Better Half Dash trophy

The ladies of NASCAR are set to run down the track in North Carolina just before the NASCAR Sprint Cup racers head out on the track to see who can do the fastest lap on Bojangles’ Pole Night. The ladies of NASCAR will drive U.S. Legend Cars International Banderos around the frontstretch quarter-mile for bragging rights and charities like Motor Racing Outreach and Speedway Children’s Charities.

The ladies from the 2012 Better Half Dash
The ladies from the 2012 Better Half Dash

Below you can check out which ladies are set to drive during the 2013 Better Half Dash.

Wendy Venturini, motorsports analyst for Fox Sports 1

Lyn-z Pastrana, wife of NASCAR driver Travis Pastrana

Kristen Yeley, wife of NASCAR driver J.J. Yeley

Michelle Gilliland, wife of NASCAR driver David Gilliland

Ashley Stremme, wife of NASCAR driver David Stremme

Heidi Stoddard, wife of NASCAR team owner Frank Stoddard

Jessica Park, wife of NASCAR driver Steve Park

Gina Cope, wife of NASCAR crew chief Ernie Cope

Amy Gordon, wife of NASCAR crew chief Todd Gordon

Melanie Self, a representative of Motor Racing Outreach

The better half of the team of Pastrana, Lyn-z is a sports professional, being a eight-time X Games medalist, and keeps her trophy from last year in their bedroom. She apparently likes her big pink trophy and expectations are for Lyn-z to be very competitive during the 2013 Better Half Dash.

Better Half Dash defending champion and eight-time X Games medalist, Pastrana is no stranger to winning, and she has a special fondness for her six-foot pink Better Half Dash trophy. “It’s actually sitting in our bedroom. None of Travis’ trophies are in our bedroom,” Pastrana said. “I’ve never gotten a trophy like that ever in all my action sports.” “It’s definitely a really fun experience,” Pastrana said. “It’s cool to get to know some of the other wives and bring the community together a little bit more.”

The starting positions for the 2013 Better Half Dash will be determined by qualifying on October 7, 2013, at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Race enthusiasts hoping to lend a hand to their favorite driver can show up to add their support, since the driver collecting the most donations will be in front of the field heading to the green flag. You can also help the charities each driver is helping by donating a few dollars in their name by visiting www.go2mro.com/betterhalfdash.

Race fans can also have a little fun watching their favorite drivers act as crew chiefs and spotters during the 2013 Better Half Dash. The husbands will be in the pit taking care of the girls’ cars, but aren’t allowed to make any engine, chassis or suspension changes.

The lady that walks away with the 2013 Better Half Dash Championship will be given $10,000. $5,000 she can hand out to her favorite charities, while the other $5,000 will be given to Speedway Children’s Charities and Motor Racing Outreach.

People looking for more information on the 2013 Better Half Dash should check out www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or www.go2mro.com/betterhalfdash. You can also follow all the fun and action by following #BetterHalfDash on Twitter.

This event is a must attend party for all race fans and ladies looking to have a little fun. Men can bring their better halves, while the ladies can hang out and talk to the girls of NASCAR.

See you at the track in Charlotte on October 10, 2013, for the 2013 Better Half Dash.

Greg Biffle Talks About the Chase

Greg looked pretty good during the practice session
Greg looked pretty good during the practice session

This weekend the NASCAR Sprint series will be at Dover International Speedway. Ford racing fans are looking forward to another great run on this track for Greg Biffle, who always seems to run well at this venue.

Greg Biffle is currently fifty in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series standings as we head to Dover International Speedway this weekend for the AAA 400. We asked him if he would drop by the infield media center after his practice session to talk about his chances of driving his way to the Chase championship in the No. 16 3M Ford Fusion.

Greg looked pretty fast on the track during the practice session
Greg looked pretty fast on the track during the practice session

What are your thoughts on the race this weekend?”

Greg Biffle “It’s been a great track for us, although as of late we’ve struggled a little bit here as an organization.  We’re looking forward to turning that around like we’ve been able to do at Richmond and some of the short tracks we’ve been a lot better on as of late.  We targeted this place to be a place we need to improve at and I feel that so far we’ve been a little bit better than we had been in the spring time here.  That gives me a lot of confidence for the rest of the weekend and what we’re able to do with the car tomorrow.”

“Some think the Chase is really a three-man race this year. What are your thoughts on making it a four-man race? You always seem to have success during the Chase.”

Biffle “The Chase, from what I understand, is made up of 10 races and to be two races into the Chase and say it’s a three-man race already, to me, seems silly as to why somebody would want to put themselves in that position and say it’s a three-man race.  Obviously, you don’t have anything on the line.  It’s not like we’re making a wager in Vegas that it’s a three-man race.  It’s somebody’s opinion and everybody is entitled to their own opinion, but I can’t imagine with eight races to go that somebody would be willing to say, ‘Oh, this is a three-man race.’  Take for instance last week, we finished third and moved up six spots in the points to fifth.  I don’t know how one would say it’s a three-man race.  Now, if Kenseth goes on and wins the title does that mean it’s a three-man race or does that mean it’s a one-man race?  I don’t know.  I just think there are more than three cars in this thing right now.  Now, if we get past Talladega and there are four races to go or three races to go, I could see that.  But they could break for three races in a row and maybe not even go to Vegas and not even be in the top 10.  So I’d say it’s a little early is all I was getting at.  I wouldn’t be the one putting my name on the line to say there are only three cars in this hunt right now.  I wasn’t necessarily saying that for the 16 team.  I wasn’t making the case that it’s not a three-man race because of us, I wouldn’t count out Carl Edwards or any of those other guys that are right there in the hunt.  Kasey Kahne, Kevin Harvick, I wouldn’t be counting those guys out just yet is all I was saying.  I wasn’t saying it just because of our case of one race we finished third and moved to fifth in points, that wasn’t the point I was making.”

“Ford racing hasn’t won a Chase in quite awhile. Are there any common reasons you can think of that would have caused this during the last decade? Do you feel a lot of added pressure, because of this, to win the championship this year?”

Biffle “I can’t really answer why we haven’t won a title.  You look at Carl and Carl tied for the points championship.  It doesn’t get any close than that and in 2005 we finished under the old point system 35 points behind Tony with a  major hiccup with three races to go.  Potentially, with not much in history changed, we’ve got two championships right there.  Some teams have probably done a little better job than we have and you look at Matt Kenseth for example.  He’s got seven wins on the season.  That might indicate some of the reasons why they’ve got more championships than we’ve got.  We’ve still got a little bit more work to do.  We’ve come a tremendously long way and I think we’re fairly competitive right now.”

There have been people who have suggested you Ford racers haven’t always garnered the attention other drivers get, even though you have showed pretty good, finishing in the top five year after year. Do you feel these comments are warranted?

Biffle “I think that’s just historically the way it’s been.  You talk about the guys that are having success and how great it is.  That’s sort of been the way it is.  Am I surprised they’re not talking about Carl?  A little bit.  Am I surprised they’re not talking about the 16?  Not really because we tend to slide a little bit under the radar all the time anyway, so it doesn’t bother me.  It gives you motivation to do well and compete every week and try to get what you can.  Like I always said before, if you’re winning races or you win the championship, they have to talk about you so put yourself in that position – put yourself in the position Matt is and they’re gonna be talking about you.”

Would you rather be in the position Matt was in? Can you think of any particular reason Matt didn’t have consistent success during his run with Roush?

Biffle “That’s a hard one.  I couldn’t pinpoint any particular reason why, but the other thing is I don’t mind flying a little under the radar.  It’s a little less pressure sometimes.”

How does it feel to have a teammate in the Chase? What things do you share with each other? How do you compete against each other?

“Carl and I have a lot of respect for each other.  We had an incident earlier in the season at Michigan where the whole organization sat down and I think we understand each other and appreciate each other’s abilities a lot more since that meeting and we kind of do what we can to help one another that doesn’t hurt yourself and that’s what came out of that meeting in Sonoma after the Michigan race and that’s the way we’ve really handled it since then.  Carl and I are parked next to each other in the garage and we’re talking about our cars and competition and how our car is in race trim versus qualifying trim, so we share everything and try to help one another with what we can.”

Roush Yates Fords Set New Qualifying Records

The Ford race cars of Roush Yates were setting new time records all weekend, first on the race grid and record-book fast both in the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series, and ARCA Series.

Sam Hornish Jr. turned in the fastest time in the battle for pole position for the Nationwide Zippo 200 on Saturday for the second straight year at The Glen in the record lap of 123.291 mph. This speed beat the previous mark of 123.241 mph set two years ago by Kurt Busch.

Eventually, Brad Keselowski would beat his teammate Sam Hornish Jr. to the finish line on Saturday to win the Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen International. In the end, all three Penske race cars led the 200-mile race for the duration, accept for nine laps. This Nationwide Series win is the fourth in a row for Brad Keselowski and the ninth Nationwide Series win of 2013 for Ford Racing and Roush Yates Engines.

The performance by Brad Keselowski was truly amazing. Starting in fifth position he managed to move steadily up the ladder and would eventually lead a total of 46 laps in the No. 22 Hertz Ford Mustang.

He had to take the lead from his teammate and friend Joey Logano with just 16 turns around the track to go and keep Sam Hornish Jr. behind him to win by just 1.418 seconds in the end to win.

Mason Mitchell drove his No. 82 Happy Cheeks Ford to the pole position in the record lap of 93.963 on the Berlin Raceway on Saturday for Empire Racing-Mason Mitchell Motorsports during the ARCA Series. Mason will now see his name in the record books, with the top qualifying lap at the .4375-mile race track.

The driver for the No. 9 Stanley Ford, Marcus Ambrose, won the pole for the Cheez-It 355 at Watkins Glen International on Sunday in the record-breaking lap of 128.241 mph. This mark is one mile an hour faster than the old mark of 127.020, set by Juan Pablo Montoya just one year ago. The 128 mph mark set by Marcus Ambrose occurred during the last qualifying group and proved too much for the other drivers on the track to match on Sunday.

The new Gen-6 race car appeared to handle the track better than the old car and it was obvious drivers were able to stay off the gas a little more, which seemed to help the brakes on the cars a bit. Watkins Glen appears to be a good track for Gen-6 race cars and the times recorded back this up.

All in all, a really good day for Penske Racing, but they still have some work to do to catch Austin Dillon. They sit just three points behind after this race, as the battle for the Nationwide Series Championship continues in Mid-Ohio next week.

Drivers Revved Up On Return of Legends Million to Charlotte Motor Speedway

CONCORD, N.C. (June 23, 2011) – Just one week after the announcement

was made about the second-annual Legends Million race at Charlotte Motor

Speedway, buzz is already beginning to circulate among drivers anxious for

another shot to win the prestigious race.

The Legends Million, held Aug. 1 and 2, will once again provide the

biggest Legend Car and Bandolero purse of the year and is expected to draw a

large field of competitors including some of the biggest names in racing.

 

Kevin Harvick, Inc. development driver Gray Gaulding made history in

2010 as the youngest competitor to run in the Legends Million at the tender

age of 12. The youngster is thrilled that Bruton Smith, chairman and CEO of

Speedway Motorsports, Inc., the parent company of Charlotte Motor Speedway

and U.S. Legend Cars International, is bringing the event back for a second

year.

“I first have to thank Bruton Smith for bringing back the Legends

Million,” said Gaulding. “You’ve got 300 cars trying to make a 30-car field.

It’s really special for the young talent coming up through the ranks to put

up that big of a check.

“I’m really looking forward to it. Hopefully we can get a win. Last

year we had some bad luck with a coil going out, but there is always this

year.”

The 2009 U.S. Legend Cars International Semi-Pro Asphalt Oval

champion, Kenzie Ruston, shares a similar opinion with Gaulding.

“I was surprised to hear about the second-annual Legends Million,”

said Ruston. “It really shows how considerate Bruton is to put up that money

for a young kid to have the chance to win again. I haven’t been in a Legend

Car since the last Million, so I will just be happy to make the show and I’d

be thrilled with a top-10 finish.”

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver David Ragan turned some heads in the

garage during Monday’s Summer Shootout practice at Charlotte Motor Speedway

when he showed up to run his No. 6 UPS Legend Car.

“With the second-annual Legends Million coming up it gives me an

opportunity to practice a little bit,” said Ragan. “I’ve got Aug. 1 and 2

kinda marked out in my calendar, so hopefully we can make it and get a

little practice that will go a long way.”

Last year, Ragan started on the outside pole for the feature event

and stayed near the front to take home a fourth-place finish.

Tyler Green, the 2010 Summer Shootout Pro division champion at

Charlotte Motor Speedway, is ready to improve upon his fifth-place finish

from last year’s $1 million race.

“I’m definitely excited that they are going to have another one,”

said Green. “It’s going to be a huge race again. I was disappointed in my

fifth-place finish last year because we ran a lot better through the season.

I just feel like we have a lot to prove in this year’s Million.”

Wentzville, Mo., native, Kyle Weatherman, finished 21st in the

inaugural event last year and is looking forward to a second chance to win

the big money.

“When they first announced the Legends Million race this year, I was

excited and I was pumped up because I feel like I struggled in the last

one,” said the 13-year-old Weatherman. “I think I can make an improvement

this year.”

Weatherman’s 12-year-old brother Clayton will make his first

appearance in the Legends Million this year after winning the Bandolero

Bandits feature at the event in 2010.

“When they came out with the second Legends Million, I was excited

because I didn’t think I was going to get to race one,” said the younger

Weatherman. “My brother got to do one last year and I didn’t get to because

I was too young. I’m just really excited and I think I can get a top five.”

Drivers can register for the Legends Million at

http://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com. All Legend Car competitors 12 years of age

or older may register. The race is not restricted by division. All minors 17

or younger must complete a minor waiver, which is available for download at

http://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/waivers.

Registration is free with the purchase of a new Legend Car from U.S.

Legend Cars International.

For additional information on competitor registration for the

Legends Million, visit http://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or call the Charlotte

Motor Speedway events department at (704) 455-3205. For more information

about U.S. Legend Cars International and Legend Cars, visit

http://www.uslegendscars.com or call U.S. Legend Cars International’s headquarters

at (704) 455-3896.

Tickets to the Legends Million race are just $10 for adults and

children 12 and under are admitted free. To purchase tickets, call the

Charlotte Motor Speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or go online

to http://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.

Connect with Charlotte Motor Speedway on Twitter at

http://www.twitter.com/CLTMotorSpdwy or become a Facebook fan at

http://www.facebook.com/charlottemotorspeedway.

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Roush Yates Engines Putting on a Show

Mooresville, NC (June 27, 2011) Roush Yates Engines put on an impressive show this weekend, winning in three different racing series. Roush Yates Performance Engine Group has been working hard to build powerful engines for all forms of motorsports, from professional to grassroots, and they backed up that effort with wins in the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series, World of Outlaws Late Model series, and the Bowman Gray modified division.

 

Carl Renezeder is the proud owner of a new Roush Yates Off-Road engine and it paid off for him big time on Sunday afternoon. Renezeder took the lead early in the race and held on to win the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series Pro 4 Class at Miller Motorsports Park. This was Renezeder’s 96th short course career win and his first with Roush Yates power under the hood.

 

“It went real well for us,” said Renezeder, a seven-time national champion. “We had to follow for a while but a couple of opportunities opened up and we had the power to take them.”

 

Keeping with Roush Yates’ tradition of power and performance, Scott Bloomquist capped a big night with an impressive showing at Friday’s rain-delayed World of Outlaws Late Model feature at Lernerville Speedway. Bloomquist started off the night by setting the track record during qualifying, coming in at 15.226 seconds, or 118.219 mph. He then went on to win the first heat with his Roush Yates 436 Ford motor and hold off fellow Roush Yates powered driver Rick Eckert to take the win in the feature. This is Bloomquist’s third win in six starts this season in the World of Outlaw series.

 

Lee Jeffreys and Burt Myers won in front of a massive crowd at Bowman Gray Stadium this weekend in the modified divison. Jeffreys has had a year full of bad luck, but Saturday night the entire field followed him as he took the checkered flag. Jeffreys led every one of the 25 laps to win the first race in dominant fashion.

 

Defending Champion Burt Myers brought home win number two for Roush Yates at Bowman Gray Saturday night. Myers held off Tim Brown to take the win in the second race of the night.

 

“You don’t have to be the best,” said Myers. “You just have to be good enough to put yourself in a place to take advantage of the good luck when it comes your turn – and that’s what we did tonight. The car and engine package are awesome right now, you just have to have a little luck to go with it.”

Roush Yates continues to produce powerful winning engines for all levels of racing. To learn more about Roush Yates Engines and keep up with all of this season’s wins, please visit http://www.roushyates.com or call Jeff Clark at 704-658-1540.

Luke and Associates Extend Partnership with Tommy Baldwin Racing

Become Associate Partner for the No. 36 Chevrolet

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (June 27, 2011) – Tommy Baldwin Racing is pleased to announce that Florida-based Luke & Associates, Inc. extended the company’s partnership to include associate placement on the No. 36 Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevrolet driven by Dave Blaney. Luke & Associates previously announced a partnership with Tommy Baldwin Racing fielding the No. 35 Luke & Associates Chevrolet driven by Geoffrey Bodine for five races.

Luke & Associates will make the company’s debut on both the No. 36 and No. 35 Chevrolets at Daytona International Speedway for the Coke Zero 400 on July 2. Luke will run associate logos on the No. 36 Chevrolet for the duration of the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) season. The company will adorn the hood of the No. 35 Luke & Associates Chevrolet at Daytona International Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway, Texas Motor Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Luke & Associates, Inc. (Luke) is one of the largest providers of healthcare for the U.S. military and is rapidly expanding into national and local healthcare systems. Headquartered on the Space Coast of Florida, Luke formed in 2004 and has grown exponentially in the last six years. The company now has more than 1,300 medical and support personnel worldwide. Luke provides services for the U.S. military and private industry to include healthcare services, advisory and assistance services, technical services, engineering, staff augmentation and information management. Luke is responsible for recruiting, qualifying, hiring and retaining healthcare workers for positions that include physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses and ancillary personnel in addition to all dental positions. The company’s primary focus is the company values, which include integrity, innovation, communication, community and a focus on the employees.

“We really enjoy working together,” said Luke President/CEO Jim Barfield. “TBR is an excellent organization that shares the same values and ethics as Luke. The associate agreement for the 36 car helps expand our partnership and makes sense as we look forward to our future with TBR.”

“I’m excited that we have already seen the relationship grow,” said TBR owner Tommy Baldwin. “Luke has already seen a lot of positives. The are a great partner to work with, and we are looking forward to growing with them.”

About Luke & Associates, Inc.:

Founded in 2004, Luke & Associates, Inc. has grown to become one of the largest providers of health care for the U.S. military. Headquartered on the Space Coast of Florida, Luke employs more than 1,300 medical and support personnel and provides services for the U.S. Government as well as commercial entities nationwide. Luke has expanded into engineering, information technology and consulting/advisory services for the military and commercial entities.

In 2010, Luke earned the No. three spot out of the INC 500 fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. Luke placed No. one in government services for the United States, the second-largest business sector and first in generating jobs.

For more information on Luke & Associates, Inc., visit http://www.lukeassoc.com.

About Tommy Baldwin Racing:

Tommy Baldwin Racing was formed in 2009 by NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Crew Chief Tommy Baldwin. Baldwin utilized a slumping economy to open a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team with a stringent budget. The team competed in two full seasons with multiple drivers behind the wheel of the No. 36 Chevrolet and improved in the standings each year.

Based in Mooresville, N.C., TBR will compete in the full NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule in 2011 with NASCAR veteran Dave Blaney piloting the No. 36 Golden Corral Chevrolet. Looking to improve on-track performance, TBR found success early in the 2011 season with partners Golden Corral, Big Red and Accell Construction. TBR’s driver development program, Heinke-Baldwin Racing, will also compete in various NASCAR series in 2011.

For more information on Tommy Baldwin Racing, visit tommybaldwinracing.com or follow us on Facebook, facebook.com/TBR.HBR, and Twitter, twitter.com/TBR_Racing.

Avett Brothers July 9 Concert from Red Rocks to be Simulcast Live On World’s

CONCORD, N.C. (June 23, 2011) – Charlotte Motor Speedway will add

another fabulous first to its legacy on July 9 when the world’s largest HDTV

airs a live simulcast concert by American Recordings artists, the Avett

Brothers, from the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Co.

The simulcast will give local Avett Brothers fans the opportunity to

view the live show on Charlotte Motor Speedway’s massive 80-foot-by-200-foot

HDTV. The speedway will also supply concert-grade speakers for the event, to

turn the infield area in front of the HDTV into a one-of-a-kind concert

venue.

“The speedway has been a hometown landmark for us our whole lives

and we’re proud to have an opportunity for our music to echo through that

historical infield,” said Seth Avett. “For us, performing at Red Rocks and

airing live in Concord is about the most ideal situation for being in two

amazing places at once.”

The Avett Brothers front men, Scott and Seth Avett, who grew up on

their father’s farm in Concord, quickly grew their fan base throughout the

Charlotte, N.C., region with memorable energetic shows, which has become the

band’s trademark.

The Avetts’ popularity skyrocketed on the heels on their major label

debut, the 2009 album “I and Love and You.” Recently, the band has become

accustomed to performing sold-out concerts and in February they performed at

the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles alongside Bob Dylan.

“We are so fortunate to travel and play the many places we do,” said

Scott Avett. “To have an opportunity to share that with our supportive home

town in a setting where great men like Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt and

David Pearson competed adds to the sense of pride that we feel to be a part

of the Charlotte community and this event at Charlotte Motor Speedway.”

“This is going to be an unbelievable event,” said Marcus Smith,

president and general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway. “This is

something that would have never been possible without the world’s largest

HDTV. But, now we’re going to simulcast a live sold-out show from one of the

most famous concert venues in the world, featuring our home-town boys, the

Avett Brothers, to their loyal fan following here in Charlotte. It’s going

to be awesome!”

Speedway gates for the live simulcast on Saturday, July 9, will open

at 8 p.m. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals are scheduled to begin at 9:30

p.m. with the Avett Brothers scheduled to perform around 11 p.m.

Tickets for the July 9 simulcast on the world’s largest HDTV at

Charlotte Motor Speedway are on sale now and can be purchased at the

speedway ticket office or by calling 1-800-455-FANS (3267). Tickets are only

$10 until July 1, when they will increase to $15 until July 8. Tickets

purchased the day of the event, July 9, will cost $20.

Tickets for October races at Charlotte Motor Speedway are on sale

now and can be purchased online at http://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or by

calling the speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267). The Coca-Cola

Four Pack includes tickets, hot dogs and Coca-Cola drinks starting at just

$39.75 per person.

Connect with Charlotte Motor Speedway on Twitter at

http://www.twitter.com/CLTMotorSpdwy or become a Facebook fan at

http://www.facebook.com/charlottemotorspeedway.

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INAUGURAL KENTUCKY SPEEDWAY NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES QUAKER STATE 400 SELLS OUT

 

Infield Pit Road Club and standing room only tickets are on sale now

SPARTA, Ky. – Kentucky Speedway announces it has sold out the 107,000 grandstand tickets available for the inaugural NASCAR Sprint Cup Series “Quaker State 400.”

Fans who wish to witness NASCAR history July 9 can still take advantage of the speedway’s Pit Road Club that offers an infield view of the race action from behind pit road wall or $60 standing room only tickets that will provide access to the Turn 1 and Turn 4 concourses.

Both can be purchased at http://www.kentuckyspeedway.com or by phone at 888-652-7223 and 859-578-2300.

“Selling out the inaugural ‘Quaker State 400’ with more than a week before the event is a great testament to this market and our fans. Our packed stands will combine with overflowing corporate display, hospitality and camping to create an electric atmosphere as we make Kentucky sports history,” Kentucky Speedway General Manager Mark Simendinger said.

The speedway’s sold out exterior and infield campgrounds will open on Tuesday, July 5 at noon. Fans still seeking race week campsites can visit http://www.kentuckyspeedway.com and click “Camping” in the top navigation bar for a listing of campgrounds offering good options within walking distance of the speedway and in the surrounding area.

Race week festivities begin Wednesday, July 6, when NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team haulers visit Cincinnati, Ohio, Lexington, Ky., and Louisville, Ky.

Roush Fenway Racing (RFR) haulers will visit Fourth Street Live! in downtown Louisville from 11:30 a.m., to 1:00 p.m.; Cincinnati fans can meet Mayor Mark Mallory while viewing Joe Gibbs Racing and Stewart-Haas Racing team haulers at the corner of Fifth St., and Race St., near the Millennium Hotel from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; and Lexington, Ky., will play host to 35 to 40 haulers at Hamburg Place at 2350 Grey Lag Way from 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., before they depart on a 12-mile parade that will traverse the city by way of Sir Barton Way, Winchester Rd., Midland Ave., E. Main St., and Newtown Pike.

Kentucky Speedway’s first NASCAR tripleheader weekend opens Thursday, July 7 with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series “UNOH 225” and additionally features the NASCAR Nationwide Series “Feed The Children 300” on Friday, July 8. Tickets for both events can be reserved through the Kentucky Speedway Web site and ticket office phone numbers.

New NASCAR-Themed ESPN “It’s Not Crazy, It’s Sports” Spot Debuts Friday

The latest spot from ESPN’s “It’s Not Crazy, It’s Sports” campaign celebrates the connection of NASCAR fans to the car number of their favorite drivers.

 

In the spot, Jeff Gordon fans incorporate his number 24 into their everyday lives, in decorations and license plates and even in a child’s mashed potatoes. The commercial features the theme song from the classic racing movie “Six Pack” and was created by Wieden+Kennedy New York.

 

The spot debuts on ESPN networks on Friday, July 1, and is the 13th in ESPN’s ongoing “It’s Not Crazy, It’s Sports” campaign, which launched in 2010.

 

ESPN’s live telecasts of the final 17 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races of the season begin with the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, July 31, at 1 p.m. ET.

Visit http://www.espnmediazone.com for ESPN’s latest releases, schedules and other news, plus photos, video and audio clips and more.

 

 

 

About NASCAR on ESPN:

 

ESPN produces comprehensive, multi-platform coverage featuring telecasts of the final 17 NASCAR Sprint Cup races, including the 10-race “Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Additionally, ESPN2 is the television home of the NASCAR Nationwide Series. ESPN’s NASCAR coverage extends to ESPN.com, SportsCenter, ESPN the Magazine, ESPN Classic, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Radio and ESPN International, among other ESPN platforms. ESPN aired 262 NASCAR Cup Races over a 20-year period starting in 1981 and returned to NASCAR coverage in 2007. The network’s award-winning, live flag-to-flag coverage on ESPN has been honored with 19 Sports Emmy Awards, as well as many industry honors. It is widely credited for helping to popularize the sport nationwide.

 

 

 

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