Catchfence

MADISON, Ill. – In preparation for the Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250 Presented by Ventrilo on July 18, Gateway International Raceway has announced Brian Knapp, president of Flagship Industries Inc., the parent company of Ventrilo, as the event’s Grand Marshall. Tammy Gundaker, co-owner of Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, Ill., and Lake Ozark Speedway in Eldon, Mo., has been named Honorary Starter and will wave the green flag to kick off 200 laps of NASCAR Nationwide Series action at GIR next Saturday night.

“I’m very honored to be the Grand Marshal of the NASCAR Nationwide Series Race,” Knapp said. “I can’t wait to utter those famous words: ‘Drivers, start your engines’.”

Gundaker, along with her husband and fellow track co-owner Kevin, has worked with Gateway on a number of projects, including the Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250 Presented by Ventrilo Media Day to be held Thursday, July 16, at Tri-City Speedway. The event is open to the public and will feature a 10:30 a.m. autograph session with Justin Allgaier, Kenny Wallace, Steve Wallace, Brendan Gaughan, and Kevin Conway.

“For Tri-City and Gateway, it’s just great to be honored,” Gundaker said. “I couldn’t believe it. I told (GIR Vice President and General Manager) Lenny (Batycki) he could ask anybody, but he called me.

“The relationship that Kevin and I have with Lenny and the whole staff is just great for the whole racing community in St. Louis area. It’s great to partner with Gateway on events. I’m always thrilled to work with Gateway.”

This year’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race at GIR boasts some of the biggest names in the sport, including two-time event winners Carl Edwards (2006, 2008), Kevin Harvick, (2000, 2002), and Reed Sorenson (2005, 2007), 2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series champion Justin Allgaier, and arguably the biggest name in NASCAR today, Kyle Busch. For tickets to the Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250 Presented by Ventrilo, call 866-35-SPEED or visit GatewayRaceway.com.

Race fans can follow all the action throughout the season at Gateway International Raceway on its official Twitter site at Twitter.com/GatewayRaceway and its official page on Facebook.

- Gateway International Raceway Press Release