No. 33 Rheem / Menards Chevrolet Impala

In addition to competing at the 14-turn road course, Papis will serve as a driver coach for fellow RCR teammates, assisting in strengthening their road-course racing skills.

“It is an honor to join a history-making team like RCR and continue what I started with Kevin Harvick Inc. the last couple of years,” stated Papis. “I feel ready to win races in NASCAR and, at the same time, I’m honored to have the chance to pass all the experience I built in my last 20 years of competition around the world to real racers like Austin Dillon and Ty Dillon and doing it with my never-give-up attitude that brought me all the way here.”

Papis, a native of Italy who now resides in North Carolina, has nine road-course races on his Nationwide Series resume with his career best finish of second coming at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in August 2009. The 2004 Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series champion has also competed in six NASCAR Sprint Cup Series road-course events, posting his best finish of eighth at Watkins Glen International in the same year.

“Max is a great addition to our driver lineup and to RCR overall,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “He has shown his talents in many different forms of auto racing all over the world and will be able to share that knowledge with our less experienced drivers. He’s the perfect driver for the No. 33 Menards Chevrolet when the NASCAR Nationwide Series gets to Road America. Max also has a tremendous amount of enthusiasm wherever he is, at the track or the shop.”

The 2007 Petite Le Mans race winner made his NASCAR debut in 2006 when he joined the 43-car field in the Nationwide Series race at Watkins Glen International, posting a 14th-place finish. Since then, he has competed in 88 races across NASCAR’s top three national series, accumulating two-top five and seven top-10 results.

Papis is scheduled to share the No. 33 Nationwide Series ride with teammates Brendan Gaughan, Kevin Harvick, Paul Menard and Tony Stewart for the 2012 season.

For additional information on today’s announcement, and all that’s happening at RCR, please visit www.rcrracing.com.

About Richard Childress Racing

Richard Childress Racing (www.rcrracing.com) has earned more than 200 victories and 14 championships, including six in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. RCR was the first organization to win championships in the Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series. Its current Sprint Cup Series lineup includes Paul Menard (No. 27 Menards Chevrolet), Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Budweiser/Rheem/Jimmy John’s Chevrolet) and Jeff Burton (No. 31 Caterpillar/Wheaties/BB&T Chevrolet). Its Nationwide Series program includes Elliott Sadler (No. 2 One Main Financial Chevrolet), 2011 Camping World Truck Series champion Austin Dillon (No. 3 Advocare/American Ethanol/Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet) and Kevin Harvick/Brendan Gaughan/Paul Menard/Tony Stewart/Max Papis (No. 33 South Point Hotel & Casino/Menards/Hunt Brothers Pizza/Armour/Fast Fixin’/Bad Boy Buggies Chevrolet). Tim George Jr. and Brendan Gaughan (No. 2 Potomac Family Dining Group/South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet), Joey Coulter (No. 22 RCR/Armour Chevrolet) and 2011 ARCA Racing Series champion Ty Dillon (No.3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet) will compete in the 2012 Camping World Truck Series season.

- Richard Childress Racing Press Release

AdvancePierre™ Foods

The Pierre Drive Thru™ Sandwich brand will be the primary sponsor of Elliott Sadler and the No. 2 Chevrolet team at Auto Club Speedway in California (March 24). Fast Fixin’® brand will adorn the No. 33 Chevrolet team with Kevin Harvick at Richmond International Raceway (April 27) and the Barber Foods® brand will be the primary sponsor at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway (July 14). The Fast Fixin’® brand was a primary sponsor of Kevin Harvick Incorporated’s NASCAR Nationwide Series program in 2011. Sadler is scheduled to compete in the full 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series season driving the No. 2 Chevrolet for RCR. Harvick will run a limited NNS schedule in the No. 33 Chevrolet.

“AdvancePierre Foods is excited to continue a high quality partnership with America’s favorite spectator sport, said Chris Kiser, President, Brands. “We are thrilled to team with RCR through a multi-year marketing agreement. RCR represents leadership in all aspects of motorsports and having known Richard for a number of years, we are looking forward to re-join efforts to our mutual benefit. We are excited to continue teaming with Elliott Sadler and thrilled to add Kevin Harvick to our marketing efforts for our leading food brands.”

AdvancePierre™ Foods is a leading supplier of value-added protein and handheld convenience products to the foodservice, school, retail, club, vending and convenience store channels. The company makes and distributes a full line of packaged sandwiches, fully cooked chicken and beef products, Philly-style steak, breaded beef, pork and poultry, and bakery products. Its wide variety of products is produced from high quality ingredients and provides unparalleled taste, convenience and value to both operators and their patrons. AdvancePierre employs more than 4,000 people at 11 facilities, including manufacturing facilities in Oklahoma, Ohio and Iowa and sandwich assembly facilities in North Carolina, Ohio and South Carolina. The company also operates bakeries in North Carolina and Oklahoma.

“RCR is proud to continue the relationship with AdvancePierre™ Food’s brands Fast Fixin’®, Barber Foods® and Pierre Drive Thru™ Sandwiches that began with KHI this past season,” said Ben Schlosser, chief marketing officer for Richard Childress Racing. “They have some key markets where they’ll execute retail programs and promote their great prepared chicken products from west to east. We thank them for their confidence in RCR and look forward to a growing relationship with them.”

For more information on today’s announcement, and all that’s happening at RCR, please visit rcrracing.com.

About AdvancePIerre™

AdvancePierre™ Foods is a leading supplier of value-added protein and handheld convenience products to the foodservice, school, retail, club, vending and convenience store channels. The company makes and distributes a full line of packaged sandwiches, fully cooked chicken and beef products, Philly-style steak, breaded beef, pork and poultry, and bakery products. Our products are produced from high quality ingredients and provide unparalleled taste, convenience and value to both operators and their patrons.

Headquartered in Cincinnati, AdvancePierre™ employs more than 4,000 people and provides consistent product quality across our 11 different facilities including our manufacturing facilities in Oklahoma, Ohio and Iowa and our sandwich assembly facilities in North Carolina, Ohio and South Carolina. The company also operates bakeries in North Carolina and Oklahoma.

About Richard Childress Racing

Richard Childress Racing (www.rcrracing.com) has earned more than 200 victories and 14 championships, including six in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. RCR was the first organization to win championships in the Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series. Its current Sprint Cup Series lineup includes Paul Menard (No. 27 Menards Chevrolet), Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Budweiser/Rheem/Jimmy John’s Chevrolet) and Jeff Burton (No. 31 Caterpillar/Wheaties Chevrolet). Its Nationwide Series program includes Elliott Sadler (No. 2 One Main Financial Chevrolet), 2011 Camping World Truck Series champion Austin Dillon (No. 3 Advocare/Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet) and Kevin Harvick/Brendan Gaughan/Paul Menard (No. 33 South Point Hotel & Casino/Menards/Hunt Brothers Pizza/Armour/Fast Fixin’/ Chevrolet). Tim George Jr. and Brendan Gaughan (No. 2 Potomac Family Dining Group/South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet), Joey Coulter (No. 22 RCR/Armour Chevrolet) and 2011 ARCA Racing Series champion Ty Dillon (No.3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet) will compete in the 2012 Camping World Truck Series season.

- Richard Childress Racing Press Release

Larry (L) and Brandon McReynolds (R) talk during Friday’s ARCA test session at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway

“Brandon McReynolds eyes first start at Daytona in the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200″

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Two-time Daytona 500 winning crew chief Larry McReynolds, who serves as an analyst on the NASCAR broadcast team for FOX Sports, watched over his son Brandon as the annual three-day ARCA Racing Series test session kicked off on Friday at Daytona International Speedway.

Approximately 60 drivers are participating in the test session in advance of the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards season opener on Saturday, Feb. 18, the kick-off event to the stock car portion of Speedweeks 2012.

The 20-year-old McReynolds is turning laps at the “World Center of Racing” in the No. 4 Chevrolet for Turner Motorsports as he prepares for his first start on the 31-degree high banks of Daytona International Speedway.

McReynolds participated in the ARCA test two years ago with Eddie Sharp Racing, but didn’t have plans at the time to compete at Daytona. This year’s test is different. He knows he’s preparing for his Daytona debut in the upcoming 80-lap, 200-mile event.

“It’s a little more serious,” McReynolds said. “We’re always looking for speed. I think you got some guys out here laying down some PR laps. That’s not what Turner Motorsports is about. We’re down here for a legit test to see how fast we can go with what we’re going to be racing. I think we got a good piece.”

In background of the test is Brandon’s father Larry McReynolds, who won the Daytona 500 serving as the crew chief for Davey Allison in 1992 and Dale Earnhardt in 1998.

“When we won the 500 here with Davey in 1992, Brandon was not even a year old,” Larry McReynolds said. “He was Davey’s godson. I’ve got pictures of him in Victory Lane wrapped up in a baby’s blanket. It’s pretty cool to see him make laps here.”

During this week’s test, McReynolds stays at a distance but is always ready to offer advice to his son.

“He’s been racing since he was seven,” McReynolds said. “I’ve always played a huge role in his racing whether it was paying the bills or running the race team. We did that for a number of years with our own stuff. But Steve Turner and Turner Motorsports are giving him a great opportunity with great people.

“It’s actually kind of neat just being down here and being dad and just listening on the radio. At the end of the day, I can look at him and tell him things that I heard or saw or this is something you might want to think about. I do not want to be a meddling dad. I want to be here and support him and the race team and enjoy watching his career grow.”

Brandon McReynolds is unsure of his 2012 plans but hopes it will be at Turner Motorsports.

“We’re still working on it. I hope to be over at Turner Motorsports. I really enjoy working with those guys. They’ve let me do some testing over the offseason and I ran Talladega with those guys. I feel like I’ve got a really good home over there. We’re working away on it. It takes sponsorship to make race cars go around these days and we’re working on it. We’ll see what happens.”

Alli Owens

The 23-year-old Owens, who attempted to qualify for the February NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at DIS, sat out the majority of the 2011 season to have a baby. After giving birth to a daughter in October, Owens is ready to return to the track.

“It’s huge,” Owens said. “I just had a baby a couple of months ago. To be able to come back out here after everybody pretty much wrote me off . . . it seems like if you’re a mom, you’re done.”

During the test, Owens is driving the No. 1 Ford for Andy Belmont Racing and is planning on making her fourth career start in the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200.

Her husband Paul Chodora, who works for a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team, is serving as her crew chief for the test.

Owens, with sponsorship from Baby Jock, is only scheduled to compete in the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 but is exploring opportunities in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series for 2012.

“I was nervous,” Owens said of having a baby and then returning to racing. “It’s never been done before. You never see females who decide to have a family come back and be successful in the sport. We’re trying to do something that hasn’t been done before.

“To be back out here this year, it’s been even more special because I am a mom and now I’m getting the respect of being a parent and a driver.”

ARCA testing continues on Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A section of the Oldfield Grandstands will be open free to the public with access available through the lobby of the Daytona International Speedway ticket office.

Tickets for the 54th running of the Daytona 500 and other Speedweeks 2012 events are available online to www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.

- Daytona International Speedway Press Release

Richard Childress Racing (RCR)

Pinnacle’s Armour® brand will be the primary sponsor for three NASCAR Nationwide Series races on the No. 33 Chevrolet Impala when Kevin Harvick is the driver: March 18 at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway; May 6 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway; and September 8 at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway. The Truck Series team and race will be announced at a later date. Armour® canned meats will also be an associate sponsor of the No. 33 Chevrolet Impala team in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and one of RCR’s championship-caliber NASCAR Camping World Truck Series teams.

“Pinnacle Foods Group and the Armour® Vienna Sausage brand are very excited about the merger of the RCR and Kevin Harvick Inc. racing teams and are looking forward to the 2012 season,” said Eric Hintz, vice president of marketing. “We want to thank Kevin Harvick, Elliott Sadler, Ron Hornaday Jr. and all the KHI employees for their support over the years, bringing us to victory lane multiple times. We originally started our sponsorship with Richard Childress Racing a few years ago and the experience was second to none. In 2012, we look forward to extending our winning ways on the track and with our key grocery retail partners around the country. Having a winning team with Kevin Harvick, RCR and our retail partners helps us reach and delight so many of our consumers all the while helping us continue this sponsorship.”

Pinnacle Foods is a leading producer, marketer and distributor of high-quality branded food products, many of which have been trusted household names for decades. Armour® is one of America’s favorite canned meat brands known for its Chili, Vienna Sausage, Hash, Stews and more. An associate sponsor of RCR’s No. 29 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team and driver Kevin Harvick in 2008, Armour® has been a major associate of KHI, in both the NASCAR Nationwide Series and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, since 2009.

“RCR is proud to have Pinnacle Foods Group LLC, through its Armour® brand of canned meats, back among our family of leading category sponsors,” said Richard Childress, chief executive officer of Richard Childress Racing. “Vienna Sausages have traveled with me around the world and have been a part of my outdoor adventures for decades. We look forward to successful programs with both the No. 33 NASCAR Nationwide Series team with Kevin Harvick and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team.”

For additional information on today’s announcement, and all that’s happening at RCR, please visit www.rcrracing.com.

About Armour®

The Armour® Star story began when Phillip Danworth Armour founded Armour & Co. in 1867, in Chicago, IL. Armour & Co. is recognized as the first business in the nation to produce canned meat while using an assembly line for production purposes. Known for being one of the most important businesses in Chicago, there is no question as to why Armour ® Vienna sausage, Potted Meat, Chili, Stew, Hash, Corned Beef, Slice Dried Beef, and Luncheon Meats are one of America’s favorite brands. For more information on Armour® Star products, log onto www.armour-star.com Armour is a portfolio brand of Pinnacle Foods Group LLC.

About Pinnacle Foods Group LLC

Millions of times a day in more than 85% of American households, consumers reach for Pinnacle Foods brands. We are a leading producer, marketer and distributor of high-quality branded food products, which have been trusted household names for decades. Headquartered in Parsippany, NJ, our business employs more than 4,300 people in North America. We are a leader in the shelf stable and frozen foods segments and our brands hold the #1 or #2 market position in 10 out of 13 major category segments in which they compete. Our Duncan Hines Grocery Division manages brands such as Duncan Hines® baking mixes and frostings, Vlasic® pickles, peppers, and relish, Comstock® and Wilderness® Fruit Pie Fillings, Mrs. Butterworth’s® and Log Cabin® syrups, Armour® canned meats, Nalley® and Brooks® chili and chili ingredients, and Open Pit® barbecue sauces. Our Birds Eye Frozen Division manages brands such as Birds Eye®, Birds Eye Steamfresh®, C&W®, McKenzie’s®, and Fresh like® vegetables, Birds Eye Voila!® complete bag meals, Aunt Jemima® frozen breakfasts, Swanson® and Hungry-Man® dinners and entrees, Van de Kamp’s® and Mrs. Paul’s® seafood, Lender’s® bagels and Celeste® pizza. Our Specialty Foods Division manages Tim’s Cascade Snacks®, Hawaiian™ Kettle Style Potato Chips, Snyder of Berlin® and Husman’s® in addition to our food service and private label businesses. Further information is available at www.pinnaclefoods.com.

About Richard Childress Racing

Richard Childress Racing (www.rcrracing.com) has earned more than 200 victories and 14 championships, including six in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. RCR was the first organization to win championships in the Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series. Its current Sprint Cup Series lineup includes Paul Menard (No. 27 Menards Chevrolet), Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Budweiser/Rheem/Jimmy John’s Chevrolet) and Jeff Burton (No. 31 Caterpillar/Wheaties Chevrolet). Its Nationwide Series program includes Elliott Sadler (No. 2 One Main Financial Chevrolet), 2011 Camping World Truck Series champion Austin Dillon (No. 3 Advocare Chevrolet) and Brendan Gaughan (No. 33 South Point Hotel & Casino/Menards Chevrolet). Tim George Jr. and Brendan Gaughan (No. 2 Potomac Family Dining Group/South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet), Joey Coulter, Jr. (No. 22 RCR Chevrolet) and 2011 ARCA Racing Series champion Ty Dillon (No. 41 Chevrolet) will compete in the 2012 Camping World Truck Series season.

- Richard Childress Racing Press Release

Truck owner and Grandfather Richard Childress (L) celebrates the 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship with grandson Austin Dillon (R) at Homestead-Miami Speedway (Photo Credit: RCR)

The accomplishment marks the second NCWTS championship for RCR, who earned the inaugural NCWTS series championship in 1995 with Mike Skinner, also in a No. 3 Chevrolet. The 42-year-old racing organization, headed by Dillon’s grandfather Richard Childress, now has 14 motorsports championships overall, spread across the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series, NCWTS and the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards.

“It’s so special when you’re family,” said patriarch and team owner Richard Childress. “Our whole family is involved, and I remember the very first championship with Dale Earnhardt. I had the same feeling tonight watching Austin, my grandson. It’s just so special to have the family and know how hard all of them worked. Danny Stockman (crew chief), Bass Pro Shops, everybody on the No. 3 team did so much to help put it together. Austin kept it together so good under the pressure. For a 21-year-old guy, man, to be able to hang in there and do what he did was very special.”

Dillon, the 2010 NCWTS Rookie of the Year, becomes the first driver in the 11-year history of the NCWTS to earn the rookie title and then the driving championship the subsequent year. He also holds the honor of youngest champion to be crowned in the series’ history. Along with Ty Dillon, the 2011 ARCA Racing Series champion, the Dillon’s are the only brothers who have earned same-year championships on a national stock car tour.

“We definitely worked hard this year and accomplished this as a team,” said Dillon. “This was our goal at the beginning of the year and no one ever gave up. Danny Stockman and every member of the Bass Pro Shops team worked nonstop. We rebounded from so many little mistakes and unfortunate incidents this year-the hood flipping up at Kentucky Speedway, for example. It’s the way you react to the undesirable situations that show what a championship team is made of, and these guys reacted in all the right ways. This championship means so much to me and I’m thrilled to be able to represent my family, Richard Childress Racing, Bass Pro Shops and NASCAR as a champion.”

En route to the 2011 title, Dillon and his Danny Stockman-led Bass Pro Shops team celebrated in Victory Lane at Nashville Superspeedway and Chicagoland Speedway, posting an impressive five pole awards among 10 top-five and 16 top-10 finishes in 25 races. Dillon finished second on four separate occasions.

At 29-years-old, the 2011 championship marks crew chief Stockman’s first in only his second year as a crew chief. Prior to joining RCR in December 2009, he earned two championships (’07 and ’09) in the NCWTS as a truck chief at Kevin Harvick, Inc.

“Like Austin said, the last restart was quite gut wrenching,” added Stockman. “Just awesome to be a part of this deal with Richard, Mike, Austin and Tina, and everybody that just let me have this opportunity to be a part of it. Austin Dillon is just a great up-and-coming race car driver. I am just really happy to be a part of it. We have a heck of a good race team, and just got to thank everybody back at the shop for all their hard work.”

The nation’s No. 1 outdoor retail leader, Bass Pro Shops, was positioned as the primary partner on Dillon’s No. 3 Chevrolet for the duration of the 2010 and 2011 race seasons. A long-time RCR supporter, Bass Pro Shops began its association with Richard Childress Racing in 1998 with associate sponsorship of the No. 3 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet Monte Carlo made famous by seven-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Dale Earnhardt. Bass Pro Shops’ partnership with RCR has also included sponsorship of the No. 29 Chevrolet driven by Kevin Harvick and primary sponsorship of Earnhardt’s eldest son, Kerry Earnhardt, in RCR’s No. 33 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet for six Sprint Cup Series races in 2004. The company sponsored Ty Dillon for his season-finale race in the ARCA Racing Series this year.

“Congratulations to Austin from all of us at Bass Pro Shops, Tracker Marine and all our Tracker independent dealers,” said Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris. “Austin is a fine young man who loves racing, loves the outdoors and has a great future ahead of him. What a proud moment for Austin’s grandparents Richard and Judy Childress and his mom and dad Mike and Tina Dillon.”

Dillon joins an exclusive list of NCWTS driving champions, including Todd Bodine, Ron Hornaday, Jr., Johnny Benson, Ted Musgrave, Bobby Hamilton, Travis Kvapil, Mike Bliss, Jack Sprague, Greg Biffle and Mike Skinner. He will be formally honored at the annual NNS and NCWTS Awards Banquet at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel on Monday, Nov. 21. SPEED will broadcast the banquet on Friday, Dec. 2 from 7-9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

About Bass Pro Shops Group:

Bass Pro Shops -58 retail stores in 26 states and Canada visited by over 110 million people annually, international catalog and internet retailing, American Rod & Gun wholesale division selling to over 7,000 independently owned retail stores worldwide, Outdoor World Incentives also selling Bass Pro Shops gift cards through over 132,000 retail outlets across America and a restaurant division with 26 locations. For more information regarding Bass Pro Shops store locations, products or special events, please visit www.basspro.com. To request a free catalog call 1-800-BASS PRO.

Tracker Marine Group –

Manufactures and sells Tracker, Nitro, SunTracker, Tahoe and Mako boats through Bass Pro Shops retail stores and over 400 dealers worldwide. Visit www.trackerboats.com

Resort Group –

Big Cedar Lodge and other resort properties including restaurants and golf course. Visit www.bigcedar.com for more information.

About Richard Childress Racing

Richard Childress Racing (www.rcrracing.com) has earned more than 200 victories and 14 NASCAR championships, including six in the Sprint Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. RCR was the first organization to win championships in the Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series. Its 2011 Sprint Cup Series lineup includes Paul Menard (No. 27 Menards Chevrolet), Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet), Jeff Burton (No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet) and Clint Bowyer (No. 33 Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Chevrolet). Its Camping World Truck Series program includes 2010 Rookie of the Year Austin Dillon (No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet) and Joey Coulter, Jr. (No. 22 RCR Chevrolet). Tim George Jr. (No 31 Applebee’s / Potomac Family Dining Group Chevrolet) and Ty Dillon (No. 41 RCR Chevrolet) will compete in the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards.

- Richard Childress Racing Press Release

Austin Dillon celebrates his first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship with his Richard Childress Racing team at Homestead-Miami Speedway. - Photo Credit: Jerry Markland, Getty Images for NASCAR

THE MODERATOR: Let’s roll into our championship race team in the 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. It’s the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet, driver is Austin Dillon, our crew chief is Danny Stockman, Jr., and our owner is Richard Childress. This is Richard Childress’ second NASCAR Camping World Truck Series drivers’ championship. His first came in the inaugural season in 1995 with driver Mike Skinner. And crew chief Danny Stockman, this is your first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship.

Richard, you talked to me out in the hall. You’ve had a lot of championships, but how does this one rank.

RICHARD CHILDRESS: It’s got to be right up there at the top. It’s so special when you’re family. Our whole family is involved, and I remember the very first championship with Dale Earnhardt. I had the same feeling tonight watching Austin, my grandson. It’s just so special to have the family and know how hard all of them worked.

I was at Ohio, Toledo, when Ty won his championship a few weeks ago, and just it’s a dream come true to have both these young men win championships.

And Danny Stockman, Bass Pro, everybody did so much to help put it together, and Austin kept it together so good under the pressure. For a 21 year old guy man, to be able to hang in there and do what he did was very special.

THE MODERATOR: Speaking of which, our championship driver has joined us now. That’s Austin Dillon. He drives the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet. At 21 years, six months and 22 days, he becomes the youngest champion in NASCAR Camping World Truck Series history. Congratulations, Austin. Tell us what it’s like to win a championship in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

AUSTIN DILLON: How does it feel? Amazing, best feeling I’ve ever had in my entire life. I’m so happy for my grandfather. He’s got two champs this year. I’m worried about Ty coming back and beating me for the youngest champion ever. He’s pretty awesome. It’s going to be a wonderful week, a wonderful month. Can’t ask to go out of the Truck Series any better than this, coming out as a champion.

Danny Stockman has done a great job this year. We’re all a family over at RCR, and we fight like dogs, but we love each other the same. It’s cool that we’re out there, a championship. It was wild. The last restart was not the way I planned it. It made it interesting, but we still came out on top.

THE MODERATOR: Danny Stockman, talk about being the crew chief for this championship team.

DANNY STOCKMAN: Yeah, like Austin said, the last restart was quite gut wrenching. Just awesome to be a part of this deal with Richard and Mike and Austin and Tina and everybody that just let me have this opportunity to be a part of it. Austin Dillon being a great race car driver, up and coming race car driver, just really glad to be a part of it. Got a heck of a good race team, and just got to thank everybody back at the shop there. Really good.

Q. Austin, a little more detail on that last restart. Was it a tire issue? And I think Hornaday said when he went by you there that he saw oil or something like that. Was that communicated to you, as well?

AUSTIN DILLON: I didn’t see the oil, but I know right behind the right front fender we were knocked in. I don’t know what happened. I didn’t hit anybody on the track, but I think it happened on pit road. We got really tight once I got back there, but I think it was more the conservative side when I was three wide. We were three wide in the middle, and to force a spot right there is not worth it.

I wish we would have finished I think we had a shot to win the race. We really had a fast race car. When you get back there in that situation, your head tells you to be smart, but at the same time they’re telling you to go because you’re close there. I went as hard as I could, started entering the corner harder at the end and helped us out. But we got really tight when the fender got knocked in. I think it was close really with the fender, but the rain came at the right time, the Lord was looking after us, and it’s really cool to be where we are today.

Q. Austin, I want to say you didn’t really say anything on the radio as you were falling back there or even for the few laps after that. Did you not want to say anything? What was going through your head?

AUSTIN DILLON: There was no need to, just focus and get back on the wheel. When you get down like that, you can’t do anything but drive back to the front, and we’ve done that all year. I’ve struggled in certain spots and restarts. Actually my restarts have been really great to the end of the year. That one wasn’t a bad restart. I kind of Johnny went I didn’t anticipate as well as I needed to, and when Denny stuck me three wide, I probably could have made something out of it in the middle, could have got to the top quicker, but I didn’t know who was out there and no one said clear on the radio, so we obviously weren’t.

When you get three wide, and these trucks, the air pushes you around so much it’s hard to run three wide, and down the back stretch it was really hairy, so I just rolled out a little bit, got back in line and went to working on everybody in front of me and were able to pass quite a few of them.

Q. Can you just talk about what the last six, seven weeks have been like? You’re leading the points coming out of each of these last six or seven races. Has it been nerve wracking or has it been easier to handle than you thought?

AUSTIN DILLON: You know, watching these guys in the Cup Series talk to each other, it’s pretty wild. I listen to Tony Stewart and I listen to Carl Edwards and the different approaches they take to it. Offense is your best defense most of the time in racing, and I felt like today I probably played too much defense. It wasn’t enough offense, and my grandfather got onto me midway through the race and said, You can’t get comfortable here, you’ve got to keep racing. Went back and got on the wheel and drove up through a bunch of them and found ourselves in second.

We had a fast race car there at the end, and when we got three wide, I had to play conservative because it wasn’t worth it. It worked out for the better of everything, and leading up to this week, I’ve just been hunting and fishing, doing stuff I love to do, keep my mind off of it, hanging out with the people I always hang out with, talking to Danny, preparing ourselves the way we do for every race.

There’s no difference coming into the championship. You can’t approach things different. When you’re sitting outside the lead, you can take more chances, that’s for sure. Johnny could take more chances today than we could, Buescher the same way, they have nothing to lose. Stewart is right, he has nothing to lose for Sunday. It’s hard to play offense. You’ve got to play off, though. My best advice to Carl is to go out there and play offense, go out there he knows what he has to do. They have a different situation; they’re very close in points. There’s a benefit there.

I actually talked to Ricky Carmichael, he’s won lots of championships, and I was talking to him and he said the closest championship was probably the easiest because he knew what he had to do. 16th was what we were supposed to finish to win, and we knew that going in, and got us a top 10, so we did our job.

Q. That said, Austin, what was today like, because it wasn’t maybe a normal day because of the rain and everything. Was there a chance for nerves to get in? And with winning the championship, what’s your experience so far? Is it everything you thought it would be?

AUSTIN DILLON: Today with the rain, it did make it you had to think a little bit more, I guess. You could think about it longer. But I actually watched a Clint Eastwood movie during the middle of the day. That was pretty cool. It kept my mind off it. I laughed a few times. It was the one with the chimpanzee. “Any Which Way But Loose” is what I watched today. I watched it with my buddy Tim Dugger and my girlfriend and his girlfriend, we just hung out and watched the movie and waited on everything, and when it got down to it, started listening to my music, had our team meeting. That’s when we all get emotional is in our team meeting because we all know why we’re here, and it was really cool, we all had a big prayer session before, and I told them I was nervous going in, as nervous as they are, but we’ve got to go do our job, and we did it.

Austin Dillon soaks in the glory after becoming the youngest NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion following Friday night's race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. (Photo Credit: Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images for NASCAR)

AUSTIN DILLON: The championship, yeah, it’s amazing. You get to spray champagne everywhere. You’re on top of the world. It’s the best feeling in the world. You stink real bad. Darrell Waltrip told me the best feeling in the world is going home stinking and having a trophy in your lap, and we were able to do that. I think now I’m more nervous about making a speech Monday, but we’ll figure that out. I’ve got some time.

Q. Going back to your celebration, are you maybe the first NASCAR champion to try planking on concrete?

AUSTIN DILLON: Yeah, the planking is cool. It’s something new. I feel like the good thing about NASCAR, we’ve got some really good drivers coming up. I am friends with a bunch of them that are going to represent the sport well. I think NASCAR has a lot to look forward to going forward. I feel that the newer fans coming in are young, and it’s really cool for sponsors, and I love the social media network, and I’ll be out there having fun any way I can. Yeah, I think that was one of the coolest planks you can do, I guess, winning a championship and then planking.

Q. Maybe your riskiest move of the night, too?

AUSTIN DILLON: That was probably my riskiest move, yeah. But it was wet enough where I could have got a little slide, and I have Sparco suit, so it’s the best suit in the world.

Q. You didn’t think about “Tebowing,” did you?

AUSTIN DILLON: Yeah, I kind of did. I pointed up when I was over the car. I didn’t get down on one knee, but that would have been cool to Tebow. He got it done last night, too; it was pretty impressive.

Q. What were you thinking when the rains came? Did you figure you had it at that particular time?

AUSTIN DILLON: Never thought about it. Andy Houston, my spotter, said, That’s probably going to be it, man, and I stayed in the truck and waited for the signal. It kind of drizzled, it was drizzling, and I knew they had lost the track because it was so slippery driving around under caution, and my grandfather said, Do not spin out under caution; slow down. I said, Wow, if I do this, that would be really a good way to lose the championship, rolling around under rain, so I backed her off and pulled in, and Hermie Sadler told me I won the championship, so I started celebrating and planked.

Actually, you know what, I did play some Xbox this week and tweeted my Xbox Live name and had like 50 people play Xbox Live Call of Duty with me. That was pretty fun, too. That was my RCR clan. It was good. I ended up on top like three times, but it was cool because everybody was going to tune into the championship, and they’re like mention the RCR clan in victory lane. I didn’t do it, but I got it in the media center, so I’m going to go back and play with them and talk to them about the championship. It’s cool, I interacted with fans that way.

Q. For Richard, what do you think allowed him to have the poise and everything to hold onto this lead in the points the last seven weeks, and is there anything that he’s done that you obviously have watched him race since he was little, but is there anything he’s done in the last two months that either particularly impressed you or surprised you?

RICHARD CHILDRESS: I think watching the race at Texas was the key to winning this championship. He was conservative when he had to be and he raced hard when he had to be. I think that was a big win we finished second, but it was a great run, and I think going into tonight, he I haven’t talked to him a whole lot this week because I didn’t want to add any extra pressure. He handles pressure better than a lot of people his age, he and his brother does, Ty. I couldn’t believe with the way he handled himself in the ARCA championship. They must get it from their mom because me and their dad gets a little wound up sometimes.

One other thing: Tonight with Johnny winning, that was 51 wins for ECR, and I told them at our kickoff banquet last year that they won 50 last year, so I told them you’ve got to beat it this year, so tonight made it 51. Great job for ECR.

Q. With the strength and the momentum you have after winning this championship, you’re taking the entire team with you to the Nationwide Series. What are you expecting for next season?

AUSTIN DILLON: Yeah, we’ve built a great team going into 2012. We’ve been working a little bit leading up to this race, and Stockman has been really harping on worried about this race, not worried about next year. But we’re so excited I can’t wait. It’s going to be amazing, feel like we can do it again. Two in a row would be awesome, just keep moving up and doing our job and we’ll be there at the end.

I was able to run some really good races with the Nationwide Series this year, and I feel like we stack up well, and we’ll have similar equipment. RCR and Pop Pop always make sure we have the best, and we’ll go out there and do our job in that No. 3.

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations to the No. 3 truck, Austin, Danny and Richard.

FastScripts by ASAP Sports

About Chevrolet

Founded in Detroit in 1911, Chevrolet celebrates its centennial as a global automotive brand with annual sales of about 4.25 million vehicles in more than 120 countries. Chevrolet provides consumers with fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicles that deliver high quality, expressive design, spirited performance and value. The Chevrolet portfolio includes iconic performance cars such as Corvette and Camaro; dependable, long-lasting pickups and SUVs such as Silverado and Suburban; and award-winning passenger cars and crossovers such as Spark, Cruze, Malibu, Equinox and Traverse. Chevrolet also offers “gas-friendly to gas-free” solutions including Cruze Eco and Volt. Cruze Eco offers 42 mpg highway while Volt offers 35 miles of electric, gasoline-free driving and an additional 344 miles of extended range. Most new Chevrolet models offer OnStar safety, security and convenience technologies including OnStar Hands-Free Calling, Automatic Crash Response and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown. More information regarding Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com .

- Chevrolet Press Release

Austin Dillon soaks in the glory after becoming the youngest NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion following Friday night's race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. (Photo Credit: Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images for NASCAR)

“Everyone at Chevrolet is extremely proud of Austin Dillon’s accomplishment this year,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet U.S. Vice President of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. “Throughout his young career, he has proven himself to be a very talented driver. After winning the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Rookie of Year in his 2010 debut, to come back and win the championship this year clearly demonstrates the bright future Austin has in NASCAR.

“We are very proud of our long partnership with Richard Childress Racing and couldn’t be more pleased to be a part of every victory and every championship Richard’s teams have won.”

Dillon, 21, led the series with five poles, and added two wins, 10 top-fives and 16 top-10s in 25 races this season.

Dillon, who carried a 20-point lead into the season finale’, is the sixth Team Chevy driver to win the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship, joining Ron Hornaday Jr. (2009, 2007, 1998 and 1996), Jack Sprague (2001, 1999, and 1997), Travis Kvapil (2003), Mike Bliss (2002) and Mike Skinner (1995).

This is Childress’ second NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship; Mike Skinner won the first in the series’ inaugural season, 1995 – also in the No. 3. Childress also won six NASCAR Sprint Cup championships with Dale Earnhardt (1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993 and 1994).

“It’s been a very successful season for Team Chevy in the Camping World Truck Series,” Campbell said. “We’d also like to congratulate Kevin Harvick Inc. on winning the Owners’ Championship. What a way for KHI to close out a tremendous 10-year run in the series.

“In addition, our congratulations to Joey Coulter for winning the Series’ Sunoco Rookie of the Year.”

Chevrolet earlier clinched the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Manufacturers’ Championship for the seventh time.

Tonight’s season-finale was won by Johnny Sauter, No. 13 SafeAuto / Curb Records Silverado.

About Chevrolet

Founded in Detroit in 1911, Chevrolet celebrates its centennial as a global automotive brand with annual sales of about 4.25 million vehicles in more than 120 countries. Chevrolet provides consumers with fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicles that deliver high quality, expressive design, spirited performance and value. The Chevrolet portfolio includes iconic performance cars such as Corvette and Camaro; dependable, long-lasting pickups and SUVs such as Silverado and Suburban; and award-winning passenger cars and crossovers such as Spark, Cruze, Malibu, Equinox and Traverse. Chevrolet also offers “gas-friendly to gas-free” solutions including Cruze Eco and Volt. Cruze Eco offers 42 mpg highway while Volt offers 35 miles of electric, gasoline-free driving and an additional 344 miles of extended range. Most new Chevrolet models offer OnStar safety, security and convenience technologies including OnStar Hands-Free Calling, Automatic Crash Response and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown. More information regarding Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com .

- Chevrolet Press Release

Richard Childress (L) celebrates the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards championship with grandson and driver Ty Dillon (R).

The start of the Federated Car Care 200 was pushed back by two and a half hours due to rain. When track officials displayed the green flag just after 4:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Sunday, they also displayed the yellow flag, indicating to the starting field to maintain a cautious pace as the track was still wet. Green-flag only racing commenced on lap 42 and Dillon drove to the inside of the race leader to take the point position. He remained in the lead until lap 63, when the inside line was slowed by a lapped car, allowing several competitors to slip by on the outside. The High Point University freshman attempted to regain the race lead on lap 196 of 200, but the race leader got loose in the middle of turns one and two and spun in the process, prompting ARCA officials to display the yellow flag. The caution extended the race past its advertised distance and set the stage for a two-lap shootout to the checkered flag. Dillon restarted the race second on lap 199 but was unable to gain any additional positions, finishing second in the No. 41 Bass Pro Shops/Hemelgarn Enterprises Chevrolet. The young driver is the first rookie to win the ARCA championship since 1995.

“I am so proud of the entire team and how hard everyone worked this season to claim this championship,” said Dillon. “Over the course of the season, we’ve become a family and we’re all sharing in this moment right now. I can’t thank my family and grandfather enough for this unbelievable opportunity. It is such an honor to bring home a championship for RCR. This is a moment I will never forget.”

Dillon and Co. stormed into their rookie season earning seven wins, seven poles, 13 top-five and 16 top-10 finishes in 19 starts. The Lexington, N.C., native claimed his first Menards Pole Award presented by Ansell at the season opener at Daytona International Speedway and in the following race, made his first trip of the season to Victory Lane at Talladega Superspeedway.

“It’s been a great season. I’m really proud of Ty and all of these guys,” said Scott Naset, crew chief on the No. 41 team. “As a rookie driver, crew chief and team, we came together and worked really hard to accomplish everything that we have this season.”

Richard Childress Racing has won 12 NASCAR championships but Dillon’s accomplishment marks the first non-NASCAR championship for the Welcome, N.C.-based organization. The last championship RCR earned was the 2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series with driver Clint Bowyer.

“It’s just unbelievable,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “I’m so happy for him and this whole racing team. To win the championship is just huge.”

At 19 years old, Dillon is the 29th champion and the youngest champion in the history of the ARCA Racing Series. The RCR driver joins a long list of competitors who have earned the title of ARCA Champion since the series’ inception in 1953, including Frank Kimmel, Benny Parsons and Iggy Katona, to name a few.

The 2011 ARCA Racing Series Championship Awards Banquet is scheduled for December 10 in Covington, Ky.

About Richard Childress Racing

Richard Childress Racing (www.rcrracing.com) has earned more than 200 victories and 12 NASCAR championships, including six in the Sprint Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. RCR was the first organization to win championships in the Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series. Its 2011 Sprint Cup Series lineup includes Paul Menard (No. 27 Menards Chevrolet), Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet), Jeff Burton (No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet) and Clint Bowyer (No. 33 Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Chevrolet). Its Camping World Truck Series program includes 2010 Rookie of the Year Austin Dillon (No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet) and Joey Coulter, Jr. (No. 22 RCR Chevrolet). Tim George Jr. (No 31 Applebee’s / Potomac Family Dining Group Chevrolet) and Ty Dillon (No. 41 RCR Chevrolet) will compete in the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards.

- Richard Childress Racing Press Release

Bristol Motor Speedway 50th Anniversary

BRISTOL, Tenn. (Monday, Aug. 22, 2011)

As the iconic Speedway continues to celebrate its 50^th anniversary through the Aug. 27 running of the IRWIN Tools Night Race, fans have been asked throughout the year what they consider to be the most memorable moments from Summer races. Two were overwhelming selections among the top 10 chosen. And both involved Earnhardt and Labonte.

Topping the list is the 1999 confrontation between the two. The duo battled for the lead for much of the last 200 laps, exchanging the top spot eight times.

By lap 490, it appeared that Earnhardt, an eight-time winner at BMS at that point in his career, had command. However, on lap 499, Labonte managed to get around Earnhardt. It was short-lived success however, as Earnhardt came right back, driving deep into Turn 1 to move around Labonte, while also tagging him, sending Labonte spinning.

Earnhardt, amid a thunderous mixture of boos and cheers, went on to take the checkers, and in victory lane made his famous statement about the incident, saying all he meant to do to Labonte, who was seething after limping home eighth, was to “rattle his cage.”

Labonte fared much better in the first clash between the two, which was the fans’ No. 2 selection among the top 10 moments.

It was 1995 Night Race, and Labonte, who had not led, but had stayed among the top five, finally overtook leader Dale Jarrett on lap 432.

But Earnhardt, who had led on and off throughout the race, was coming quickly. And with just a few laps remaining he was on Labonte’s bumper. He finally got into him hard enough on the last lap to send Labonte spinning but the Texan was able to stay out front and, despite fishtailing across the stripe, beat Earnhardt to the line. It was as the checkered was flying that Labonte lost control of his car, slammed the outside wall and skid backward toward Turn 1.

Labonte gingerly drove his mangled ride to victory lane for his second win, and Earnhardt, who finished a mere .10-second behind, had to settle for the runner-up position.

Following are the fan choices for the remainder of the top 10 moments in Night Race history:

•  After leading for 415 of the first 469 laps during the 2008 race, Kyle Busch was nudged out of the lead by Carl Edwards, who managed to stay out front the rest of the way to capture his second straight August race win. Busch, however, wasn’t pleased with Edwards’ move earlier in the race and on the cool down lap, the pair got into a bumping contest, spinning each other out. The pair continued the squabble over the BMS public address system in post-race interviews, much to the delight of fans.
•  Last year, after winning the O’Reilly Auto Parts 200 Camping World Truck Series race and the Food City 250 Nationwide event, Kyle Busch made NASCAR history when he completed the three-race sweep with his IRWIN Tools Night Race victory. Before Busch’s feat, no driver had ever won in all three national series in the same weekend.
•  In 2004, Dale Earnhardt Jr., made it two in a row, becoming, at that time, the only driver to sweep the Nationwide and Sprint Cup events in the same weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway. Earnhardt Jr. led the final 85 laps and cruised to a four-second win over Ryan Newman to his first Cup win at the World’s Fastest Half-Mile.
•  Much like the 1997 scuffle in the spring race when Jeff Gordon nudged Rusty Wallace on the final lap to take the win, it happened again in August of 2002. Gordon tapped Wallace, who was leading, with just three circuits remaining, moved him out of the way and went on to score his fifth Cup win at BMS.
•  The date was Aug. 25, 1984 when Darrell Waltrip’s amazing streak of seven straight Cup wins at Bristol came to an end as Terry Labonte grabbed his first win at the half-mile oval. Waltrip, who led 144 laps early in the race before having problems, finished 21^st.
•  The historic Night Race was born on Aug. 25, 1978 and won by Cale Yarborough. Yarborough and Benny Parsons were the only two cars on the lead lap – and Yarbrough beat him to the line by 16 seconds.
•  Morgan-McClure Motorsports, from nearby Abingdon, Va., won its first ever Cup race in the 1990 Night Race with Ernie Irvan at the wheel. It was Irvan’s first career Cup win as well. On the team’s 165^th start, Irvan, who started sixth, led the final 90 laps and beat runner-up Rusty Wallace to the checkers by .21-second.
•  No yellows at Bristol? That was the case July 11, 1971 when Charlie Glotzbach drove his new Junior Johnson-owned ride to the win in the only race ever contested at the World’s Fastest Half-Mile that was caution-free.

The IRWIN Tools Night Race gets under way Aug. 27 at 7:30 p.m., with qualifying slated for Aug. 26 at 5:10 p.m. The Food City 250 takes the green flag after Sprint Cup qualifying at 7:30 p.m. Action begins Aug. 24 with the UNOH Perfect Storm 150 at 6 p.m., followed by the O’Reilly Auto Parts 200 at 8 p.m.

Tickets are available for all four night races at Bristol Motor Speedway. Fans can enjoy both the IRWIN Tools Night Race and the Food City 250 for as little as $99. Should they be in town for the Wednesday night doubleheader, fans can take in all four races under the lights in packages starting at $129.

Single-event tickets for the IRWIN Tools Night Race start at $90 while ticket prices for the Food City 250 begin at $45. Wednesday night doubleheader tickets for the O’Reilly Auto Parts 200 and the UNOH Perfect Storm 150 are $25 in advance of the race and $30 Aug. 24.

Parents also can take advantage of reduced ticket prices for children as kids 12 and under can watch the Food City 250 for only $10 while children in that age bracket will be admitted free to the Wednesday night doubleheader.

To purchase tickets, fans may contact the BMS ticket office at 1-866-415-4158 or 423-BRISTOL.

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

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation

In honor of President Reagan’s relationship and fascination with auto racing, The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation presents Start Your Engines: American Race Cars at the Reagan Library, on view from May 27 through October 23, 2011. The exhibit features a wide array of storied vehicles from the history of American auto racing from the 1930s to today, including those from NASCAR and IndyCar. Visitors will view historic cars driven by legends such as Dale Earnhardt, Sr. and Richard Petty, as well as cars by current racers Kurt Busch, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Austin Dillon, who will make his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut later this year.

“Ronald Reagan’s connection to American car racing dates back to the 1930s, where, as a young radio announcer, he was calling races,” said John Heubusch, executive director for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation. “That love stayed with him, and as President of the United States he spent the fourth of July at the Daytona Firecracker 400, where he became the first sitting president to call a race.”

A few exhibit highlights include:

• Richard Petty’s winning Firecracker 400 Pontiac from the race Ronald Reagan officially started in 1984

• Dale Earnhardt, Sr.’s #2 Chevy – the car in which he won the 1980 Winston Cup Championship

• Kurt Busch’s 2011 #22 Auto Club Dodge Charger (show car) which he recently raced in the Auto Club 400 in California, March 2011

• Lyn St. James’ 1989 Ford Thunderbird Super Coupe, in which she set 31 national and international speed records on a closed course at Talladega Speedway

• Jimmie Johnson’s 2007 #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet that he drove at Homestead to clinch his 2^nd Championship

• Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s 2010 #88 AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet Impala

• Austin Dillon’s 2011 #98 Chevrolet Impala, co-sponsored by the Ronald Reagan Centennial, which will be raced later this year

• Dan Wheldon’s 2011 #98 INDY car, which will be raced later this year

In addition to the cars, personal items from drivers like trophies, fire suits, helmets and other artifacts, photos and video will also be on display. The exhibit is sponsored by the Auto Club of Southern California, with special thanks to Mike Curb and Mike Curb Racing.

The Reagan Library is located at 40 Presidential Drive in Simi Valley, California. Public hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The Museum admission fees are $12.00 for general admission, $9.00 for seniors 62 and over, $6 for children 11-17 and free for children 10 years of age and under. For more information, call (800) 410.8354 or visit www.reaganlibrary.com.

- The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation/Auto Club Speedway, Press Release

Kyle Busch climbs out of the No.18 NOS Charged Citrus Toyota in victory lane after winning the North Carolina Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway - Photo Credit: Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR

Busch paid remembrance to Baker, a 10-year-old Hickory, N.C., who was found slain last year, by winning the N.C. Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Friday night. After Busch collected the checkered flag, he immediately walked to Zahra’s picture on the side of his truck and was “kissed by an angel.”

“I had an angel riding with me in that last run of the race with Zahra Baker,” said Busch. “We didn’t have the truck to beat tonight – Clint Bowyer did. Somehow I found some more out of it and I’m going to say that I had some help tonight. It’s weird how things work. When you believe in it, you trust in it, and you have faith in it – it will repay you. I can’t say enough about NOS Energy Drink and this Kyle Busch Motorsports team. Toyota, M&M’s, Flexco, and Dollar General. It was a great night for all of us. To come out here with a win and with a special name on the side of the truck – it means a lot to Kyle Busch Motorsports, Speedway Children’s Charities and the North Carolina community. Especially the people from Hickory – who knew and loved Zahra. It means the world to me to be able to pay remembrance to her with a win tonight.”

Friday night’s win was monumental for the 26-year-old driver. Busch, who drove into victory lane for the 97th time in NASCAR’s top three series, moved into a tie with NASCAR legends Dale Earnhardt and Darrell Waltrip for third on the all-time combined national touring series wins list. The victory was the Las Vegas native’s 28th career NCWTS Series win, moving him into a tie for second all-time with series legends Mike Skinner and Jack Sprague.

Busch, who an hour before the start of the truck race captured the pole for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, started the N.C. Education Lottery 200 from the fifth position. In the early stages of the race the defending race champion communicated to crew chief Eric Phillips that the No. 18 NOS Energy Charged Citrus Toyota was extremely loose.

On lap 53, the extremely loose became uncontrollably loose as the back end of the Las Vegas native’s Toyota snapped around coming off turn four. The rear end of the No. 18 slid up the banking, nearly collecting the outside wall then slid back down the banking and just before the nose of the truck was about to make contact with the inside retaining wall Busch got the truck back headed in the right direction to complete the miraculous save.

When pit road opened, Busch brought his No. 18 to the attention of his team for four fresh tires, a full tank of fuel and wholesale adjustments to try and tighten the truck. He was scored in the ninth position when the race restarted on lap 59.

As the race progressed, the man who had led the most laps en route to dominant victories in the last two NCWTS races seem destined to run just inside the top five. He was running in the fourth position when a three-car crash on the backstretch brought out the seventh caution of the race on lap 77. Crew Chief Eric Phillips made the decision to come for a fuel-only pit stop when pit road opened.

When the race restarted on lap 82, the No. 18 NOS Charged Citrus Tundra was scored in the fifth position. The race continued to be slowed by numerous cautions as the laps wound down. Busch tried to force his way to the front of the field at times making things three and four wide on the numerous restarts.

On lap 107 David Starr brought out a record-breaking 10th and final caution of the race after spinning off Turn Four. Although he had the dominant truck in Friday’s race, Bowyer knew that Busch was lurking in the third spot. Bowyer chose the outside lane for the final restart of the race to try and get a jump on the inside lane where the No. 18 was lurking.

Bowyer’s decision appeared to have paid off as Busch fell to the fourth position when the race restarted on lap 112. NASCAR’s winningest active driver dove to the inside of Ron Hornaday Jr. and James Buescher going into turn three with 22 laps remaining and moved into the second position.

The No. 18 NOS Charged Citrus Toyota slowly chipped away at Bowyer’s lead as the race headed into the final 10 laps. On lap 127, Busch made a big run on Bowyer off the top side of turn two. As Bowyer’s No. 2 moved up the track to try and slow Busch’s momentum, the No. 18 quickly dove to the inside making it a side-by-side challenge for the lead down the backstretch. The 26-year-old was able to complete the pass off of turn four and hold off Bowyer for the last seven laps en route to his fourth NCWTS victory in seven races at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Rookie Cole Whitt finished third followed by Buescher and Hornaday Jr. Rounding out the top 10 were Johnny Sauter, Austin Dillon, Parker Kligerman, Justin Marks and Brad Sweet.

The victory was Busch’s fourth NCWTS in 2011 and fifth for Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM). Dating back to 2010, KBM finished in the top 10 in 17 consecutive races; including 11 wins and three runner-up finishes. The defending owners’ champions have opened a 59-point in this year’s standings after six races.

Busch will be back behind the wheel of the No. 18 Dollar General Toyota when the NCWTS heads to Kansas Speedway for the O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 June 4 at 2:00 p.m. ET.

About Kyle Busch Motorsports

NASCAR superstar Kyle Busch added a second career within NASCAR in December 2009 when he announced his Kyle Busch Motorsports team would compete in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2010. KBM is a leader on and off the track in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, becoming the first team since the series originated in 1995 to capture the owners’ championship in their inaugural season. In October of 2010, the team moved into a brand new 77,000-square-foot facility in Mooresville, N.C., which boasts state-of-the-art equipment and its pending LEED certification make it unmatched among its peers. Fans can stay up-to-date with all the latest KBM news online at www.kylebuschmotorsports.com, by liking the team on facebook (www.facebook.com/KyleBuschMS) and following the team on twitter @KyleBuschMS.

- Kyle Busch Motorsports Press Release

Kyle Busch climbs out of the No.18 NOS Charged Citrus Toyota in victory lane after winning the North Carolina Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway - Photo Credit: Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR

TOYOTA NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS)

Post-Race Notes & Quotes

Charlotte Motor Speedway –May 20, 2011

- Tundra driver Kyle Busch crossed the finish line first in Friday night’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race
at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

- Busch led the final seven laps en route to victory lane.

- Busch picked up his 28th NCWTS victory this evening — including his 22nd win driving a Tundra. The Las Vegas-
native now has the most wins by a Tundra driver in the series, surpassing the 21 victories by Todd Bodine.
Tonight’s win was Busch’s fourth this season. He picked up first-place trophies at Phoenix, Nashville and Dover
earlier this season.

- The win was Busch’s 97th national series victory — moving him into a tie for third-place on the all-time list with
Dale Earnhardt and Darrell Waltrip.

- Timothy Peters started from the pole and led 30 laps, before retiring from the race after 62 laps. He finished 32nd.
Former Formula 1 champion Kimi Raikkonen finished 15th in his NASCAR debut.

- Other Toyota drivers in the field were Travis Kvapil (11th), Justin Lofton (13th), Johanna Long (20th), Craig Goess
(22nd), Max Papis (25th), Todd Bodine (27th), David Starr (28th), Brendan Gaughan (30th) and Miguel Paludo
(35th).

KYLE BUSCH, No. 18 NOS Toyota Tundra, Kyle Busch Motorsports

Finishing Position: 1st

Are you surprised to win this race?

“Not tonight. I had an angel riding with me there on that last run of the race with Zahra Baker. (A 10-year-old disabled
North Carolina girl who was found slain last year.) We didn’t have the truck to beat tonight — the 2 (Clint Bowyer) did.
Somehow I found some more out of it and I’m going to say that I had some help tonight. It’s weird how things work.
When you believe in it and you trust in it and you have faith in it — it will repay you. I can’t say enough about NOS
Energy Drink, about this team — Kyle Busch Motorsports and all the guys. From Toyota, M&M’s, Flexco and Dollar
General — this is a great night for us. To come out here with a special name on the side of the truck — it means a lot to
Kyle Busch Motorsports and all of us — Speedway Children’s Charities and the community here around North Carolina,
around Charlotte, around Hickory. It’s fun to come out here and do this kind of stuff.”

What did it mean to have Zahra Baker on the side of your truck?

“I can’t say enough about Zahra Baker and her troubling story and what all she went through as a little girl. Unfortunately,
her life was cut very, very short and we put her on the side of the truck tonight in order to give her some remembrance and some vindication maybe. I didn’t have the truck to win tonight and I think I had an angel riding with me. If you believe in that stuff, if you trust in that stuff and you have faith in it — it can come back and repay you. It means the world to me tonight.”

How did you recover from that early spin?

“We spun out and we only lost like three or four spots and then we came to pit road, got new tires and Eric (Phillips, crew
chief) made a bunch of changes. I don’t know what he did, but he made some great calls there. Got me something that
was definitely a lot better. It was drivable. We were just able to muster our way back up through there and once we got to second, I didn’t know if I could run him down. I had help and got up there and I got to him about three lengths back and I stalled out. I’m like, ‘I have to find something, I have to move around.’ Found it and got it. Thank Triad Racing Engines, Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oil, Butler Seats and Camping World — of course the fans. It’s enjoyable to come out here and if a Cup guy is going to win it — it might as well be me.”

Did you fight handling issues with your truck?

“I don’t know if it was the handling on my truck — I think it was the handling on everybody’s truck to be honest with you.
Goodyear didn’t bring the right tire — I’ll admit that. The Cup tire is awesome — the Truck tire is horrible. I’m hoping we
have a good tire for the Nationwide Series next week — it’s the Cup tire rather than this tire. They do a great job for us, but tonight it just wasn’t it. We did have troubles and we were really, really loose all day. We saw it with my truck in
qualifying, Kimi’s (Raikkonen) truck — we just couldn’t get the truck in the race track. Once we got it tightened up there,
it seemed like I could hold my own and hold the bottom of the race track. Then I got to Clint (Bowyer) and you couldn’t
pass. The tires were just so hard that you would stall out and lose grip so you had to move around and find your own lane. Once I did that, it seemed like I could pass him.”

How much do you watch the record books?

“You kind of keep track of it a little bit, but I hear it through stats, you guys (media) maybe sometimes, some fans that
come up to me asking me about all the wins. It’s definitely — for me, my most important thing is to go to the race track.
I’m not going to the race track thinking, ‘Oh man, it’s going to be 97 tonight or I’m going to get 98 tomorrow.’ It’s more
about concentrating on getting your cars to feel good, getting your trucks to feel good and be fast and the numbers will take care of themselves from there. For me, it’s very empowering, but it feels good to be getting close to 100 — my halfway point. It may not quite be the same numbers that some of those other guys laid out there — all in the Cup Series. Maybe one day I will be able to have a lot of Cup wins as well too.”

What does it mean to tie Dale Earnhardt and Darrell Waltrip in all-time wins?

“Those are two huge names to match up with. I think Dale’s (Earnhardt) got 10 wins in Nationwide and the rest are Cup
wins, I think. That right there is just 87 Cup wins so you look at that and you think, ‘Wow.’ Then you look at (Richard)
Petty and it’s obviously it’s 200 Cup wins and you think, ‘Wow-er.’ Maybe one of these days I can get to the 200 point
and to me that is special to me.”

Do you think Kimi Raikkonen’s transition to the Nationwide Series will be easier next week?

“I don’t mean to be disrespectful to Goodyear — I’ll say this in the best way I can, but hopefully they bring the Cup tire — it will be a lot easier transition. Unfortunately, we did not have the handling the way he (Kimi Raikkonen) needed it to be today. He did a nice job from what I understand — I haven’t heard, but we might have to put a right side on it. That’s
alright — you’ll have that. Next week for the Nationwide Series race with the correct tire, it should be a better feeling car.

He should feel a little more grip and should be able to drive it a little bit harder. The engines are a little bit the same and
the cars go through the air a little bit better. Traffic will be kind of the same as what he felt tonight. Tonight was a good
learning experience and hopefully he learned enough today that will help him for next week and we’ll try to make the
transition a lot easier for him as best we can,”

ERIC PHILLIPS, crew chief, No. 18 NOS Toyota Tundra, Kyle Busch Motorsports

Has today been an up and down day for you and the team?

“It’s kind of been that way all day. We really struggled to get the truck that Kyle (Busch) needed. The tire kind of threw
us for a loop when we unloaded and we were just loose all day. It continued into the night. He spun there right before that first pit stop. We took a pretty good swing at it just to try to tighten it up. The guys did a good job getting everything done to it and Kyle was able to pull off the win here tonight.”

TRAVIS KVAPIL, No. 5 International Truck / Monaco RVs Toyota Tundra Camry, Randy Moss Motorsports

Finishing Position: 11th

JUSTIN LOFTON, No. 77 Lofton Cattle Toyota Tundra, Germain Racing

Finishing Position: 13th

KIMI RAIKKONEN, No. 15 Perky Jerky Toyota Tundra, Kyle Busch Motorsports

Finishing Position: 15th

What did you think of tonight’s race?

“The racing was fun. Too many cautions. Every time that I would feel like the car would start to run better then you would have a caution and then it would take the track a long time before the handling comes back.”

How did it feel to hit the wall?

“I hit it on the beginning and then I hit much harder and destroyed the car a little bit. The car actually run really well there before the pit stop. Once we got to pit then the tires and the tire pressures, it was better. The handling was okay, but for sure the longer runs were a good thing. Just because the car was better and better during the longer runs.”

How did the truck handle in the race?

“It was okay once I knew the car was much better than it was this morning in practice. Then it was okay just to know how it feels in traffic and stuff like that.

Were you pleased with your performance?

“You would rather be more high up, but how it felt this morning, now I was pretty pleased with how it felt in the race. For
sure, there is still a lot to learn and improve, but I think when we have another race it will be better.”

Were the restarts difficult?

“It’s just more to know what to do on the restarts and where to put the car. Sometimes you push a bit too hard and you run wide and you lose a lot of places. It is hard to get back to places. Really knowing where you want to be in the right position, but not really anything surprisingly difficult.”

Have you ever tested a NASCAR stock car?

“No I have not — I have only tested the Truck two times before today.”

RICK REN, crew chief, No. 15 Perky Jerky Toyota Tundra, Kyle Busch Motorsports (general manager, KBM)

What did you think of Kimi Raikkonen’s performance in the race?

“I was really pleased with his (Kimi Raikkonen) performance during the race. It took about five laps for our truck to start
coming in. He would lose quite a few positions in that first five laps. Then as soon as he got the tire temperature up — and I told him as soon as the tire temperature would come up that we would be better off and keep getting better. Actually, if we could have ran a really long green flag run at the end, our truck actually could get better the longer it went. It’s one of those things where we just kind of did some guess work looking at the notes and anticipated on what the track would do at night. I actually felt like I had to treat him like he’s a young guy who had never raced here before. A young guy can drive a tight race car, but can’t drive a loose one. I tightened her up pretty good to start the race.”

JOHANNA LONG, No. 20 Panhandle Grading Toyota Tundra, Panhandle Motorsports

Finishing Position: 20th

CRAIG GOESS JR., No. 46 Greenville Toyota Toyota Tundra, Eddie Sharp Racing

Finishing Position: 22nd

How was your race tonight?

“It was really hard to get a good feel for how the truck was handling because of all of the caution laps. It’s hard to work on the truck when you can’t feel out exactly what it’s doing. Just a really long night but I’m glad we survived and we’re
taking the truck home in one piece.”

MAX PAPIS, No. 9 GEICO Toyota Tundra, Germain Racing

Finishing Position: 25th

TODD BODINE, No. 30 Germain.com Toyota Tundra, Germain Racing

Finishing Position: 27th

DAVID STARR, No. 81 Zachry Toyota Tundra, SS Green Light Racing

Finishing Position: 28th

BRENDAN GAUGHAN, No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino Toyota Tundra, Germain Racing

Finishing Position: 30th

What happened between you and Max Papis during the race?

“Rough night as a whole for the Germain Racing team. Todd (Bodine) looked fast and I don’t know what happened to him.
It looked like he just got loose or I don’t know if somebody hit him. We were terribly fast tonight. Our Toyota was real
quick. I think we drove ourselves to like 13th the first run and then drove ourselves to the top-10 in the second run. We were going to have a strong night. We were saving some tires — we got to lead. In the end, I think we lost a gear is what it looks like.

I knew — my instinct was that something was broke and it was still running. It was broke and I kept saying it was broke and I knew to trust my instinct, I didn’t and in the end it broke in the middle of the corner, went up and tried to just stay out of the way and I think Max (Papis) was an innocent victim there. I guess he was trying to get underneath me and somebody pushed him into me. That’s just been the luck for the Germain Racing team this year is two of the teammates have nothing to do with each other and one is going to have a good night and we bang into each other. Our Tundra, from what I understood, was real dang fast.”

TIMOTHY PETERS, No. 17 Red Horse Racing Toyota Tundra, Red Horse Racing

Finishing Position: 32nd

What happened that took you out of the race?

“We were going for position on the 13 (Johnny Sauter) and we just kind of ran out of room. I thought the 2 (Clint Bowyer)
got into me, but he didn’t after looking back at it. It just came around on me pretty quick. I just hate it for all these guys
on this Gearwrench Toyota Tundra. It’s a shame — we were a force to be reckoned with tonight. I’ll take the blame on
that one.”

MIGUEL PALUDO, No. 7 STEMCO-Duroline Toyota Tundra, Red Horse Racing

Finishing Position: 35th

What happened that took you out of the race?

“I put it in third gear and I heard something. Then there was smoke. It’s a shame for us. A lot of bad luck and a lot of bad luck today. The good part is that we were running up front. Hopefully, we can head to Kansas and start over again.”

- Toyota Motorsports Press Release

Wheaties Fuel Most Popular Driver

The annual award is granted to the driver who earns the most fan votes over the course of the NASCAR season. Petty earned the award nine times (1962, 1964, 1968, 1970, 1974-78), Allison six times (1971-73, 1981-83), Pearson twice (1979-80), Johnson once (1959) and Earnhardt once, in the year of his death (2001).

“That’s really the bottom line for any driver,” Allison once said of the Most Popular Driver honor. “To go out there and to do well, that’s the first urge. But to be appreciated by the fans and to really get that great feeling – that happiness that you get to share with the fans – is really the benefit of all the effort that you put out.”

In current-day voting, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is on an eight-year run in winning the Most Popular Driver award. The 2011 campaign kicked off in February, allowing fans to vote once a day for their favorite NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver at www.WheatiesFuelMostPopularDriver.com.

Following the race event at Richmond International Raceway, voting for the full field of 36 eligible drivers will end on September 10 at 11:59 PM CT. At that point, the 10 drivers with the most votes will be announced as finalists and the vote count will reset to zero. Fans will then have 10 race weeks to cast their vote once a day to determine the 2011 NASCAR Wheaties FUEL Most Popular Driver winner from the final field of 10 drivers. Voting will conclude November 20 at 11:59 PM CT. The winner will be announced at the NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Luncheon in December.

By Champions. For Champions. Wheaties FUEL was developed in 2009 with the help of Peyton Manning, triathlete Hunter Kemper, Kevin Garnett, gold medal-winning decathlete Bryan Clay, Albert Pujols and sports nutritionist Dr. John Ivy. After a year-long development process, the result is a delicious honey cinnamon crunch that helps meet the nutritional needs of today’s champion athletes and delivers long-lasting energy from complex carbohydrates, B vitamins to help your body release energy provided by food, and provides an excellent source of fiber to help you feel full.

For more information and to vote on the NASCAR NMPA Wheaties FUEL Most Popular Driver Award, fans should log on to www.WheatiesFuelMostPopularDriver.com.

- Breaking Limits Marketing for General Mills, Press Release

“Earnhardt loved that race because of the fact he could go out there and be aggressive and not worry about the points,” said Richard Childress, team owner of Earnhardt’s famed No. 3 Chevrolet. “We both really looked forward to that race because it was short, paid a huge purse to win it and we didn’t have to worry about getting in trouble or be worried about the championship. He loved that kind of racing and would always get excited when it was time to go to Charlotte for that race.”

Earnhardt collected 76 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victories and won the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race three times – in 1987, 1990 and 1993.

With seven laps remaining in the 1987 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, Dale Earnhardt and Bill Elliott made contact coming off of Turn 4 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, sending Earnhardt into the infield grass. Miraculously, Earnhardt held his blue-and-yellow Chevrolet straight and stayed ahead of Elliott. For decades, the move has been referred to as “The Pass in the Grass.”

Twenty-four years later, the 1987 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race is still recognized by many as the wildest race in NASCAR history.

During the first 75-lap segment, Bill Elliott, driving the No. 9 Melling Racing Ford, swapped the lead with Geoff Bodine in the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet and Kyle Petty in the No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford. Elliott won the first segment and then led all 50 laps of the second.

Under the unique rules for the special event, the final 10 laps were to be run under the green flag with caution laps not counting. That’s when Earnhardt became aggressive and gave Elliott his biggest headache.

Bodine and Elliott made contact in Turn 2 on the first lap of the final segment, which sent Bodine spinning. Earnhardt took advantage of the situation, drove between the two cars and took the lead. The trio reloaded with fresh tires during the caution period that followed.

With seven laps remaining, Earnhardt and Elliott made contact coming off of Turn 4, sending Earnhardt into the infield grass. Miraculously, Earnhardt held his blue-and-yellow Chevrolet straight and stayed ahead of Elliott. For decades, the move has been referred to as “The Pass in the Grass.”

The two continued to race hard with Elliott being squeezed just shy of the outside wall several times during the final circuits. Earnhardt went on to win while Elliott fumed. He made heavy contact with Earnhardt’s Chevrolet on the cool-down lap to express his displeasure.

Earnhardt wasn’t pleased about being sent into the frontstretch grass.

“Bodine and Elliott wrecked in the first turn,” Earnhardt said in the May 21, 1987, issue of Grand National Scene. “I guess Bodine chopped down on him and turned him around, but all I know is that I didn’t touch anybody. I guess it was reflexes. I checked up and started to move where I thought they wouldn’t be. I decided to go to the bottom of the track and I was by myself. I don’t know why they threw the caution flag. No one was stopped.

“Then, as we came into the tri-oval two laps later, Elliott got under me and clipped me sideways. I almost got the car started the other way before I went into the grass and then I was able to get it right while I was in it. If I hadn’t, I might have gone right up into the flag stand right there with (flagman) Harold Kinder.

“I can guarantee you that, if I had turned someone sideways like that, I would be hanging from the flagpole right now.”

Earnhardt lived up to expectation in the 1990 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race as he led the entire race in Richard Childress Racing’s black No. 3. Photo: CMS

Going into the race that had been shortened to 70 laps, Earnhardt lived up to expectation as he led the entire race in Richard Childress Racing’s black No. 3.

“There was no question about who beat who today,” Earnhardt said in the May 24, 1990, issue of Grand National Scene. “I don’t mean for that to sound like bragging but, today, the race was won without controversy.

“I was running hard, but I was watching my rearview mirror, too. I wanted to stay consistent in case anyone did catch me. Then I could have something for them.”

There was wide speculation that Earnhardt would break away at the start and never look back.

During a brief intermission, teams up and down pit road made chassis adjustments, but couldn’t find the combination to go head-to-head with the sport’s biggest star.

Earnhardt went into the race a bit skeptical that he could make such a strong run. He was hopeful, but not completely confident.

“We didn’t know we could lead flag to flag,” Earnhardt said. “When you work hard, you can dominate and sometimes you make your luck.”

Earnhardt stayed alongside Mark Martin down the backstretch and nosed ahead in Turns 3 and 4 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, taking victory in the 1993 by NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race sixteen-hundredths of a second. Photo: CMS

Ernie Irvan, driving the No. 4 Morgan-McClure Chevrolet, easily won the first 30-lap segment of the 1983 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race while Rick Mast, after an inverted restart, topped the second. The third and final segment, at just 10 laps, looked like it belonged to Mark Martin in a strong Roush Racing Ford. But the complexion of the race changed when Terry Labonte crashed with two laps remaining.

Two restarts were needed when Earnhardt was charged with jumping the first. In the end, the race came down to a gusty pass. Earnhardt stayed alongside Martin down the backstretch and nosed ahead in Turns 3 and 4. At the start-finish line, he took the victory by sixteen-hundredths of a second.

“I drove deeper in the third turn than I thought I could, but the car stuck,” Earnhardt said. “I looked up in four and saw he was behind me and I knew all I had to do was keep going and I had it won.”

Martin recently reflected on battling Earnhardt in those intense NASCAR Sprint All-Star Races.

“Dale Earnhardt was tough everywhere he raced, but when everything was on the line, he was even tougher,” Martin said. “He loved those shorter, big money races. What can you say, he was Earnhardt.”

Tickets for all May races at Charlotte Motor Speedway can be purchased online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or by calling the speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267). Frontstretch tickets with the best views of the world’s largest HD video board, debuting at the speedway in May, start at just $49 for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on May 21. Fans can also purchase two frontstretch tickets for just $99 to the Coca-Cola 600 on May 29.

For daily updates on May race activities, connect with Charlotte Motor Speedway by following on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CLTMotorSpdwy or become a Facebook fan at www.facebook.com/charlottemotorspeedway.

- Charlotte Motor Speedway, Press Release

U.S. Army announced a partnership Friday at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway with Revolution Racing and NASCAR's Drive for Diversity for the 2011 season. Pictured L-R with the No. 6 U.S. Army/Revolution Racing car -- Max Siegel, chief executive officer, Revolution Racing, Ryan Gifford (driver), Sergio Pena (driver), Lt. Gen. Benjamin C. Freakley, commander of the U.S. Army Accessions Command, Michael Cherry (driver), Darrell Wallace Jr. (driver).

“The Army is proud to join Revolution Racing and NASCAR in sharing with America’s youth the many opportunities available to them whether through education, in motorsports or through service to the Nation as an Army Strong Soldier,” said Lt. Gen. Benjamin C. Freakley, commander of the U.S. Army Accessions Command. “Our Army offers many opportunities for young Americans to pursue an education and to become leaders both in uniform and back in their hometowns. Our shared values and commitment to America’s youth make this a great partnership.”

As part of the new partnership, Revolution Racing leadership and drivers will join the Army’s efforts in reaching young Americans and their influencers about the many education and leadership opportunities available in the Army. The Army will be a part of NASCAR’s Fueling Dreams Tour presented by Revolution Racing, an interactive display area that visits NASCAR and K&N Pro Series races, local high schools and colleges, and other multicultural events across the country. The interactive assets and speaker panels provide young Americans an opportunity to learn more about the career options and leadership opportunities within both NASCAR and the Army.

“We are very excited about our partnership with the U.S. Army,” said Max Siegel, chief executive officer, Revolution Racing. “Revolution Racing’s commitment to empowerment, education, opportunity and positive change is perfectly aligned with the values of the Army. The Army’s support of Revolution Racing clearly demonstrates their strong commitment to our nation’s youth and cultural diversity.”

Revolution Racing joins the U.S. Army Racing family which consists of Tony Schumacher, driver of the U.S. Army NHRA Top Fuel dragster, and Antron Brown of Don Schumacher Racing, along with Ryan Newman, who pilots the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series No. 39 U.S. Army Chevy, and Tony Stewart of Stewart-Haas Racing. The Army team of drivers represent more than one million brave Army Strong Soldiers, and give the men and women who serve this country a race team to be proud of. The motorsports program also provides opportunities for the Army to interact with prospects and influencers, and assists recruiters in building an all-volunteer force for our Nation.

Revolution Racing, owned by former Dale Earnhardt, Inc. executives Max Siegel and John Story, exists to provide opportunities in NASCAR for minorities and females, fielding four teams in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series, six teams in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, multiple youth racing teams and a NASCAR pit crew development program. It brings together championship caliber executives, competition staff and equipment in a unique, academy-style environment.

Drivers on the 2010 Revolution Racing team enjoyed the best on-track season in the history of the Drive for Diversity program, earning four victories, 42 top-five finishes and 80 top 10s in 141 starts. Each team is part of NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program, now in its eighth season.

The 2011 season has started on a winning note for Revolution Racing with driver Darrell Wallace Jr. capturing a victory in the U.S. Army-sponsored car in Thursday night’s K&N Pro Series East race at Richmond International Raceway.

“NASCAR is proud of the long standing bond between our sport and the U.S. Army,” said Marcus Jadotte, vice president, NASCAR Public Affairs and Multicultural Development. “The Army’s sponsorship of Revolution Racing speaks to our organizations’ shared values.”

The Drive for Diversity program has been successful in creating meaningful opportunities for minority and female competitors. The program helps to further diversify NASCAR’s participant and audience base. The program has seen continuous growth since its inception in 2004.

About U.S. Army Accessions Command

The U.S. Army Accessions Command (USAAC), a subordinate command of U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, meets the human resource needs of the Army by transforming volunteers into officers, warrant officers, and enlisted Soldiers. In providing the force, the 18,391 men and women of Accessions Command prepare these future Soldiers and leaders for their initial military training. Commanded by Lt. Gen. Benjamin C. Freakley, USAAC is located at Fort Knox, Ky.

- U.S. Army Racing Press Release