Catchfence

BRISTOL, Tenn. (Wednesday, March 9, 2011) – Ford NASCAR drivers in a street legal Mustang, a Tony Stewart-owned sprint car, two supermodifieds, and a world superbike champion will attempt to establish half-mile closed course records in the “World’s Fastest Half-Mile Speed Trials” Saturday, March 19, immediately following the Scotts EZ Seed 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race.

“The World’s Fastest Half-Mile issued a challenge to the fastest of the fast,” said BMS Executive Vice President and General Manager Jerry Caldwell.  “For the first time in years, fans will witness an all-out attack for speed.  This challenge ignites new creativity in the racing world to stretch speed boundaries in the most intense, close-quarters setting in motorsports.”

As part of Bristol Motor Speedway’s 50^th anniversary celebration, the Speedway extended invitations to several motorsports champions from wide-ranging motorsports disciplines to set class half-mile closed-course records, as well as break the 11-year-old track record.

Former NASCAR Cup driver Brad Noffsinger, Mike Lichty and Bryan Clauson will chase Sammy Swindell’s all-time Bristol track record of 138.442 mph (13.860 seconds), set during qualifying for a World Of Outlaws winged sprint car event at Bristol in June 2000.

Noffsinger and Lichty will be first to try out supermodifieds, the most exotic cars to hit Bristol’s high banks, while Clauson will run one of Tony Stewart’s pavement sprint cars.

Former AMA and World Superbike Champion Scott Russell will attempt to set a half-mile closed-course motorcycle speed record riding a Yamaha superbike.  The five-time Daytona 200 winner brings substantial experience on high banked ovals, though never one as tight as Bristol’s half-mile.

Ford Racing enters its supercharged 2011 Mustang GT to Bristol to establish a half-mile closed course record for street legal cars.  Ford NASCAR drivers David Ragan and Marcos Ambrose are expected to drive the ultimate “pony car” into the record books. The Mustang’s 5.0 liter engine is topped off by Ford Racing’s twin-screw supercharger and cranks out 624 horsepower. To balance all that power with more driver control, the factory suspension comes equipped with a FR3 handling pack and Ford Racing/Brembo big brake kit.

Competitors will have one hour, from approximately 5 until 6 p.m., to make record runs following the Scotts EZ Seed 300.  The “World’s Fastest Half-Mile Speed Trials” is a bonus event for the Nationwide Series race ticketholders.

The Speed Trials will begin after the conclusion of the Scotts EZ Seed 300. The driver and car line-ups are subject to change.

Speedway Motorsports is a leading marketer and promoter of motorsports entertainment in the United States. The Company, through its subsidiaries, owns and operates the following premier facilities: Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Infineon Raceway, Kentucky Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway. The Company provides souvenir merchandising services through its SMI Properties subsidiaries; manufactures and distributes smaller-scale, modified racing cars and parts through its U.S. Legend Cars International subsidiary; and produces and broadcasts syndicated motorsports programming to radio stations nationwide through its Performance Racing Network subsidiary. The Company also equally-owns Motorsports Authentics, a joint venture formed with International Speedway Corporation to produce, market and sell licensed motorsports merchandise. For more information, visit the Company’s website at www.speedwaymotorsports.com.

- Bristol Motor Speedway, Press Release