Lefty, Busch talk about the importance of reading to local students
San Bernardino County, Calif. (January 28, 2009) - NASCAR Sprint Cup Series superstar Kyle Busch driver of the No.18 M&M’s Toyota spent the afternoon with local San Bernardino County middle school students from Etiwanda Intermediate School to unveil the Auto Club Speedway Kid’s Club mascot Lefty.
Busch and Lefty, the walking, talking Kid’s Club mascot talked to students about the importance of reading, the rewards of the Auto Club Speedway Reading to Race program and all the great perks being a member of the Auto Club Speedway Kid’s Club.
“It’s cool that you can get great tickets to the races at Auto Club Speedway for reading books,” said Busch. ” I can tell you that by reading those books, you’re not only going to get to see me race, but you’re going to become a lot smarter.”
Having graduated a year early, with honors from Durango High School in Las Vegas, Nev., Busch shared how reading laid the foundation to his success in school and as a NASCAR driver. Busch made history in the 2005 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season setting the series record for the youngest driver to win the pole position. He went on to win his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Auto Club Speedway that same year, making him the youngest driver to win a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race.
Launched in December 2008, nearly 6,000 students from local Southern California school districts have participated with the Auto Club Speedway Reading to Race program. Students who successfully completed reading requirements set by the student’s teachers were rewarded with an opportunity to attend either the West Coast Premiere of NASCAR, February 20-22, 2009 or the AMA Superbike Challenge, March 20-22, 2009 at Auto Club Speedway.
Available only through a free membership with the Auto Club Speedway Kid’s Club, children 5-12 years old have the exclusive opportunity to special events including a scavenger hunt, story time with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Clint Bowyer and much more during the Auto Club 500 on February 22, 2009.
For more information on the West Coast Premiere of NASCAR at Auto Club Speedway February 20-22, the Auto Club Speedway Reading to Race program or the Auto Club Speedway Kid’s Club, call 800.944.RACE (7223) or visit www.autoclubspeedway.com.
About Auto Club Speedway
Auto Club Speedway is the premiere Speedway in Southern California. Hosting two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events as well as NHRA and AMA events, a day at Auto Club Speedway is a full day of excitement and entertainment that includes sponsor displays, live musical entertainment, great food and fun for the whole family. Enjoy the Speedway’s fan amenities, including escalators, shade structures and misting zones, souvenir shopping and quality restaurants.
Auto Club Speedway, Press Release