2010 NSCS Tony Stewart - Photo Credit: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images for NASCAR

TONY STEWART, NO. 14 OLD SPICE CHEVROLET met with members of the media at Chicagoland Speedway and discussed racing in the Midwest, Eldora Speedway, short track racing and other topics.

TALK ABOUT BEING AT A RACE TRACK WHERE YOU HAVE HAD SUCCESS AND HOW MUCH YOU WOULD LIKE ANOTHER WIN TOMORROW NIGHT: “Definitely, it’s always nice to go to places that you’ve won at before and this is a track that’s close to home so a lot of our friends and we have a lot of family from northern Indiana that get to come over for this race so it’s a big weekend for us.”

ARE RACES LIKE CHICAGO AND INDIANAPOLIS HELPING THE POPULARITY AND PRESENCE OF NASCAR IN THE MIDWEST?: “I don’t know, I think our sports grown nationwide to where it’s not just what it does for the Midwest, it’s across the country what the sport has been able to bring.  I think we’re long way beyond the fact that this is not a southern sport anymore.  It’s not like we’ve just been coming here for two or three years, we’ve been coming up this way for a long time now.  It’s just another part of the schedule that we enjoy.  I really don’t think of it from that standpoint as far as anything any different than what we’ve been doing.”

DO YOU THINK WE WILL SEE MORE CUP RACES AT THE MIDWEST AT OTHER TRACKS?: “I have no idea.  I know this will be a shock for you, but I don’t set the schedule.”

ARE THERE ANY FRIENDS IN THE GARAGE AREA AND DO YOU HAVE TO CARRY BASEBALL BATS AROUND WITH YOU NOW?: “I don’t need a ball bat.  I carry everything I need with me all the time.  I carry all I need.  Some of them should probably, though.  They’ll need it to equalize it.  It’s getting wild out there.”

IS THERE ANYTHING IN PARTICULAR YOU AND THE TEAM HAVE BEEN FIGHTING TO GET INSIDE THE TOP-20 EACH WEEK OR JUST CIRCUMSTANCES?: “We were definitely fighting handling for sure.  That was the one variable we were struggling with there.  We’ve been working through it at the shop and we’re finding some things that are giving us a direction that seems to be a positive direction for us and we’ve just been continuing down that path.  It doesn’t mean it will fix it, but at least it’s a path right now that’s getting us going better in the standings and getting my cars to handle a little better.  It’s a lot less frustrating driving them on Sunday when they handle good.”

WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO GIVE THE BACKPACKS TO THE KIDS YESTERDAY AND YOUR PAINT SCHEME?: “We have a pretty cool scheme on the car again, it’s the back to school program and the national backpack program that Office Depot Foundation does.  We were in Chicago yesterday and got to donate some backpacks.  It was neat to see the smile on those kids faces.  It’s a program whereby the end of the back to school season will have donated 2.3 million backpacks to kids over the last 10 years that this program has been going on.

“It’s another example of we’re all busy doing what we do in racing, but it reminds us that there’s a lot bigger things outside of what we do here in the entertainment industry on the weekends that make a bigger difference.  Seeing these kids that are underprivileged and don’t have the resources to have nice things and going back to school to see them have the tools they need to go back to school and have the confidence that they’re just like any of the other kids, that is a pretty neat feeling to do.  It’s a pretty big honor to be a part of that program with Office Depot.”

WHAT IS IT LIKE AT ELDORA RIGHT NOW AND THE KING’S ROYAL?: “It’s pretty cool.  We didn’t really see, two years ago we didn’t see a big drop off, but this year we’ve seen a little of the affects of it with the bigger races.  We’ve lost some cars and the car count.  Not as drastic as I thought it was going to be so I’ve been pleasantly surprised from that aspect.  You sit there and you drive through the campgrounds and you talk to the fans and you realize that they’re having to cut corners and it’s affecting the Saturday night people just as much as the NASCAR crowd.  Hopefully we’re getting on the back side of it and getting through it, but I know we went to Sharon (Speedway) Wednesday and ran at Dave Blaney’s place there.  Kasey (Kahne) and I were going to run 360 cars at Eldora next weekend and Dave is actually going to run the King’s Royal so that’s pretty cool that he’s back in a 410.  That’s where he made his name so it’s going to be cool to see him get back in one and run at Eldora again.”

WHAT DID SHORT TRACK RACING DO FOR YOUR RACING CAREER AND HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO KEEP THOSE TRACKS OPEN?: “It’s very important.  Nobody gets to this level and just starts here.  There’s nobody that says, all right I’m going to be a NASCAR driver and gets a NASCAR license and starts racing.  They all had to start at a short track somewhere and work their way up.  It’s a shame across the country to watch tracks go by and some of them have gone away because the economics and some of them have gone away because housing developments a mile away from it are built and a race track has been there for 50 years and all of the sudden people complain about the noise at the race track and get it shut down.  That’s probably the one thing, being a short track promoter, frustrates me the most.  If you’re going to buy a house, you ought to at least check and see where you’re buying it and if there’s a place that’s been around there for 50 years, don’t complain about the noise.  They were there long before these people moved in.  It is, it’s important because if we lose that, we lose the feeder system to get to this level.  It’s how all these guys got their start and it’s how all these guys got the skills to be the drivers they are now.”

HOW BIG WAS IT FOR YOU TO ADD STEVE KINSER TO YOUR TEAM?: “It makes me feel like Roger Penske on the IndyCar side and Chip Ganassi on the road race side and Rick Hendrick on the Cup side.  I feel like we’ve got the two most sought after guys that you could ask for.  We are second and fourth in the points right now.  It’s pretty cool to have a guy that’s won 20 Outlaw championships and 14 Knoxville Nationals and however many races he’s won there, driving your car.  We have two of the best guys in the series and it’s neat to watch them run with each other, but there’s some nights where I see what it’s like to be a multi-car owner.

“You sit on the trailer and watch your cars about run over the top of each other and you sit there and you just grab your head like I can’t believe this is going to happen.  It’s fun and it’s fun to have somebody of Steve’s (Kinser) caliber and Donny’s (Schatz) driving our cars.  He had his back surgery last fall and you can see a lot of new energy in him this year that we haven’t seen in a while.  I don’t think he really realized how bad he was feeling because of his back until he had it operated on in the fall.  It’s like you see a new Steve this year.  He’s got a lot of energy and he’s winning a lot of races again.”

DOES THE CHASE NEED TO BE TWEAKED AGAIN?: “I didn’t think it needed to be tweaked the first time.  It honestly doesn’t matter to me what they do.  The good thing is that I have the confidence in our sanctioning body that whatever decision they make, if they’re going to change it or whatever they do, something that will have been thought out for a long time and at the end of the day, they will do what they think is in the best interest of our sport.  I have the confidence and believe in the leadership we have to be comfortable that whatever they do it’s for the right reasons.”

WHERE IS YOUR TEAM AT TWO YEARS AFTER YOU ANNOUCED IT?: “I think we’re ahead of schedule of where we thought we might be.  It’s really hard to predict when you’re starting into a new deal like that.  It’s hard, there’s no guarantees on what’s going to happen.  Even having the resources that we have and all the equipment that we have, it’s still no guarantee that it’s all going to come together and work for you.  Last year, our season we definitely exceeded our expectations for year one.  This year hasn’t been quite as good, but Ryan (Newman) has got a victory this year.  From our side, we struggled a little bit.  That happens year to year so I can’t say that this year is a failure because of that.  There’s teams that were really good last year and struggling this year and vice versa, teams that were bad last year.  It’s part of the evolution of it.  It’s an ongoing process.  You’re never happy with where you’re at.  Even when you’re winning races, you have to constantly push to keep that edge and stay ahead.  This is a sport that you’re never going to have someone come in here and say that they’re 100 percent happy with everything they’re doing unless they’re going out and winning every race every week.”

About Chevrolet: Chevrolet is a global automotive brand, with annual sales of about 3.5 million vehicles in more than 130 countries. Chevrolet provides consumers with fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicles that deliver high quality, expressive design, spirited performance and value. In the U.S., 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 Malibu, Equinox and Traverse. Chevrolet also offers “gas-friendly to gas-free” solutions including the Cruze Eco and Volt, both arriving in late 2010. Cruze Eco will offer up to 40 mpg highway while the Chevrolet Volt will offer up to 40 miles of electric, gas-free driving and an additional 300 miles of extended range (based on GM testing; official EPA estimates not yet available). 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, fuel solutions, and OnStar availability can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

- Team Chevy, Press Release

Bobby Labonte Logo

Labonte will race the No. 09 Chevrolet in the Coke Zero 400 powered by Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway on July 3rd.  He is also slated to drive the LifeLock.com 400 at Chicagoland Speedway on July 10th for the team.  The team will compete for wins in both events.

“It’s good to know that we’ll have a past champion in our car for these two races,” said team owner James Finch.  “I’ve known Bobby for a while and he always works hard behind the wheel.  This is a good opportunity for us to race for a win.”

Labonte, a veteran of the Coca-Cola Racing Family, will be making his 600th career start at Daytona during the Coke Zero 400.  The team is currently looking for sponsorship for the two events and will secure Labonte for additional events if sponsorship can be acquired.

“Any driver wants the chance to win at Daytona,” said Labonte.  “It’s awesome that James has given me this opportunity and also the chance to compete at Chicagoland.  I’m looking forward to these two races and making my 600th start at Daytona during the Coke Zero 400.”

Labonte is looking for his first win at Daytona while also making his 10th start at Chicagoland.

- Breaking Limits Marketing for Bobby Labonte, Press Release

Chicagoland Speedway

(Brooklyn, Mich. – June 16, 2010) –

As part of the new package, fans receive admission to four exciting races for $199, including the Dollar General 300 Powered by Coca-Cola and the LifeLock.com 400 at Chicagoland Speedway July 9 – 10; and the CARFAX 250 and CARFAX 400 at Michigan International Speedway August 14 – 15.

“We’re thrilled to be working with one of our sister tracks to offer our fans a unique opportunity such as this,” said Craig Rust, president of Chicagoland Speedway. “The new package is an excellent deal for any race fans looking to get to two great NASCAR events at two separate facilities close in proximity.”

“We know race fans want value for the money they spend on race tickets,” MIS President Roger Curtis said. “This ticket package provides value and variety for race fans in the Midwest who want to experience the high-speed and thrills of NASCAR at our two racetracks.”

Michigan International Speedway

Fans looking to enjoy action-packed race weekends at two great facilities this summer can call 800-354-1010 to order their tickets today.

About Michigan International Speedway
Nestled in the lush Irish Hills of Southeastern Michigan, Michigan International Speedway is the Great Escape, a venerable NASCAR national park where fans can camp, get away and enjoy the very best in racing and camaraderie. It’s the love of racing and the thrill of a great time for race fans and drivers alike at the historic two-mile track. Visit the track online at www.MISpeedway.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MISpeedway or Tweet with then @MISpeedway.

About Chicagoland Speedway

Chicagoland Speedway sits on more than 940 acres of land and is the largest sporting facility in Illinois.  The 1.5-mile D-shaped tri-oval speedway, which opened in 2001, annually hosts the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series, as well as the ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards, IZOD IndyCar Series and several driving schools.  For more information on the track and its events, visit us online at www.chicagolandspeedway.com , on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ChicagolandSpeedway or Twitter @ChicagolndSpdwy.

- Chicagoland Speedway/Michigan International Speedway, Press Release

Michigan International Speedway

The speedway has earned Green Venues Michigan Leader Certification by the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth (DELEG), which was announced on Tuesday, for its ongoing conservation efforts.

MIS is just one of four venues to earn certification by DELEG, joining the Detroit Institute of Arts, Grand Valley State University and the Cedar Creek Institute of Hastings, Mich.

Green Venues Michigan encourages facilities to implement environmental initiatives and cost-saving green practices to conserve energy, reduce water consumption, protect air quality, reduce waste and participate in environmentally preferred purchasing.

“We are honored to accept this award for our ongoing conservation efforts. We want to thank the Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth (DELEG) for allowing us to participate in this program,” MIS President Roger Curtis said. “NASCAR fans are enthusiastic conservationists and MIS is extremely proud and excited to be leading the way in sports and showing fans the many ways in which all of us can help the environment. I can assure you that MIS is not done. We will continue to implement new green initiatives and seek other sports and facilities to join us in our efforts.”

The past 12 months have been a banner year for MIS and its environmental initiatives. In 2009, MIS formed a partnership with NASCAR to plant trees on track property to help offset the carbons produced during the June event weekend. The track has also undergone an extensive recycling effort throughout the property. MIS recycles materials such as cardboard, paper, glass, plastic, aluminum, construction waste, electronic waste, batteries and motor oil, which occurs year-round.

The speedway and its race sponsor Carfax worked with The Conservation Fund’s Go Zero® program to zero out the CO2 emissions that resulted from the facility’s energy use during the Show Me the CARFAX Race Weekend in August.

MIS has also reduced waste by switching from printed hardcopies to electronic versions of documents such as track media guides and holiday cards. Additionally, the new Pit Road Suites and Media Center (opening June 2010) will have a 20 kW photovoltaic (solar panels) system.

Green Venues Michigan is a voluntary, non-regulatory certification program offered through the Bureau of Energy Systems in DELEG at no charge. The Bureau of Energy Systems provides technical assistance to those who are interested in implementing “green” strategies and earning certification. The GVM program certifies facilities based on environmental initiatives such as air quality, energy efficiency, solid waste reduction, toxic waste management, water conservation, purchasing and communication. There are three levels of certification: Partner, Steward, and Leader, which can be earned by completing a self-assessment checklist and achieving a minimum number of requirements and points.

Nestled in the lush Irish Hills of Southeastern Michigan, Michigan International Speedway is the Great Escape, a venerable NASCAR national park where fans can get away and enjoy the very best in racing and camaraderie. It’s the love of racing and the thrill of a great time for race fans and drivers alike.

Race fans that missed out on renewing tickets can leave a $30 goodwill deposit and ensure the best, guaranteed lowest prices in 2010. Deposits will be accepted through Jan. 5 only. After that, ticket prices will likely increase as demand goes up.

Customers can log onto www.MISpeedway.com or call 800-354-1010 to leave a deposit.

Michigan International Speedway – 2010 Schedule

\Friday, June 11 ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards Racing for Wildlife 200
Saturday, June 12 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series VFW 200
Sunday, June 13 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

Friday, Aug. 13 Gatorade Pole Day
Saturday, Aug. 14 NASCAR Nationwide CARFAX 250 Series
Sunday, Aug. 15 NASCAR Sprint Cup CARFAX 400 Series

- Michigan International Speedway, Press Release

Michigan International Speedway

Speedway staff, along with employees of Competition Tire and Americrown collected thousands of toys and food items that will benefit Toys for Tots of Jackson and the Brooklyn Food Pantry, respectively, this holiday.

The track drive gave fans, many of them armed with video cameras, the opportunity to take their personal vehicles for a lap around the track in exchange for a donation of a toy or non-perishable food item. The turnout was exceptional despite the 28-degree weather and flurries. Fans came from across Michigan, Ohio and parts of Canada. A group of driver’s education students and their instructor stopped by, as did a local race car driver.

“We couldn’t be happier with the amount of toys and food items we collected,” Alisha Cottrell, director of Government and Community Relations for MIS, said. “It’s nice to see so many race fans and area residents take time out of their day to give to charity and support this event. This donation will greatly help the needs of many local families who need some cheer this holiday.”

Oscar Ortiz, an infield camping customer, traveled from Ypsilanti, Mich., to participate in the event.

“I’ve been a longtime MIS fan, so to be able to give to charity and get to take a lap around this great racetrack is a win-win for everyone,” he said. “I applaud MIS and their efforts to allow us to do this, and at the same time, collect toys and food for their local community. Many people and children will benefit from this and I’m happy to be a part of it.”

Chris Siemion of Taylor, Mich., a suburb of Detroit, heard about the track drive on WJR 760 AM at 10:30 a.m. this morning. He decided to take his 2000 Pontiac Trans Am out of storage for the day and head out to MIS with a toy in hand.

“What a great opportunity to give back to the community and donate a toy for a child who may have not had one this year,” Siemion said. “I’ve known about MIS for years, but thought this was the best chance to come out and see it for myself. I called my insurance company up, re-inflated the tires, and got my Trans Am out of storage so I could take a lap around the track with it. It was a great experience.”

Competition Tire, the company that handles delivery of Goodyear Racing tires across the country for various motorsports series including NASCAR, is storing the toys and food in a tractor trailer until the speedway staff can deliver the goods in the coming weeks.

Toys and food will continue to be collected at MIS during regular business hours, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, through Dec. 16. Toys for Tots and Food Pantry collection boxes are in the speedway lobby at 12626 US 12 in Brooklyn.

All donated toys should be unwrapped and new. Food should be nonperishable. The Food Pantry is also seeking soap products, paper goods, canned fruits and juices.

The speedway has not opened its gates for a public track drive since 2005 when it hosted a similar effort to benefit the victims of Hurricane Katrina. That drive raised more than $20,000.

Nestled in the lush Irish Hills of Southeastern Michigan, Michigan International Speedway is the Great Escape, a venerable NASCAR national park where fans can get away and enjoy the very best in racing and camaraderie. It’s the love of racing and the thrill of a great time for race fans and drivers alike.

The best, guaranteed lowest prices in 2010 will go to customers who make a $30 goodwill deposit. New customers can log onto www.MISpeedway.com or call 800-354-1010 to leave a deposit. That deposit ensures race fans get the best pricing for 2010.

Media Note: A photo of MIS staff members Tim Lamb (Left) and Jennifer Hutchinson collecting food items for the MIS Track Drive for Charity is attached to this e-mail for media use. Credit Michigan International Speedway

Michigan International Speedway – 2010 Schedule

Friday, June 11 ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX Racing for Wildlife 200
Saturday, June 12 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
Sunday, June 13 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series LifeLock 400

Friday, Aug. 13 Gatorade Pole Day
Saturday, Aug. 14 NASCAR Nationwide CARFAX 250 Series
Sunday, Aug. 15 NASCAR Sprint Cup CARFAX 400 Series

- Michigan International Speedway, Press Release

Michigan International Speedway Director of Guest Services Tim Booth

Booth, who created the nation’s largest 9-11 blood drive in 2002, has also donated his time to other various organizations over the years. Along with the Spirit of America Blood Drive, which benefits the Great Lakes Region of the American Red Cross, Booth is also active with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), Brooklyn Kiwanis Club, Knights of Columbus and Junior Achievement Program. He also serves as the Chairman of the Board for the American Red Cross Great Lakes Region.

“I’ve been fortunate to be able to give my time to many different organizations over the years,” Booth said. “I’ve always taken great pride in doing good things for the local community and will continue to do so for many years to come. I just want to do my part to volunteer my time for good causes and help organizations who are in need.”

Booth has raised thousands of dollars for Juvenile Diabetes by organizing an MIS team for the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes, which is held at Ella Sharp Park in Jackson, Mich. every fall. He has also spent nearly 10 years as a member the Brooklyn Kiwanis Club, which includes serving as a past president. His role as a Junior Achievement Advisor takes him to a Brooklyn Elementary School third-grade classroom one day a week for six weeks to provide assistance to the kids there.

Booth was named as a finalist for the 2009 Humanitarian Award along with NASCAR drivers Tony Stewart and Greg Biffle. The winner of the Award will be announced at the annual NASCAR NMPA Myers Brother Awards program in Las Vegas on December 3. The winner will receive a specially-designed crystal trophy and a $100,000 cash donation to the recipient’s designated charity. Additionally, the two remaining finalists will each receive $25,000 cash donations to their respective charitable organizations.

Booth was nominated for the award for his countless efforts to support various non-profit organizations in his community, but none as much as the Great Lakes Region of the American Red Cross. His creation of the Spirit of America Blood Drive, which began in 2002, was a way to honor the victims and heroes of September 11, 2001. Since that time, the drive has grown into the nation’s largest September 11 blood drive. The blood drive’s success also caught the eye of the NASCAR Foundation, which has since created the NASCAR Foundation Blood & Marrow Drive, which is hosted at over 30 race tracks on September 11.

Booth is also a regular blood donor who has personally given blood 146 times, which amounts to more than 18 gallons in his lifetime.

“When I created the Spirit of America Blood Drive in 2002, I honestly had no idea it would be as successful as it is,” Booth said. “It’s a great event that brings the community together for a good cause. I personally enjoy giving blood and try to donate every 56 days.”

Nestled in the lush Irish Hills of Southeastern Michigan, Michigan International Speedway is the Great Escape, a venerable NASCAR national park where fans can get away and enjoy the very best in racing and camaraderie. It’s the love of racing and the thrill of a great time for race fans and drivers alike.

The best, guaranteed lowest prices in 2010 will go to customers who make a $30 goodwill deposit. New customers can log onto www.MISpeedway.com or call 800-354-1010 to leave a deposit. That deposit ensures race fans get the best pricing for 2010.

Michigan International Speedway – 2010 Schedule

Friday, June 11 ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX Racing for Wildlife 200
Saturday, June 12 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
Sunday, June 13 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series LifeLock 400

Friday, Aug. 13 Gatorade Pole Day
Saturday, Aug. 14 NASCAR Nationwide CARFAX 250 Series
Sunday, Aug. 15 NASCAR Sprint Cup CARFAX 400 Series

- Michigan International Speedway, Press Release

Michigan International Speedway

With that said, Michigan International Speedway is offering gift certificates just in time for the holidays.

With the lowest prices of the season still available for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races in 2010, now is a great opportunity to purchase gift certificates for family and friends in $25 increments. Gift certificates can be used for tickets, camping, pit passes or hospitality packages for the June or August race weekends. Gift certificates purchased before Jan. 5 will guarantee fans the lowest prices for the 2010 season.

“Gift certificates are a great idea for people who are struggling to find that perfect gift for someone,” speedway President Roger Curtis said. “A $25 gift certificate makes a perfect stocking stuffer for the holidays.”

Gift certificates must be redeemed in advance of race week. MIS accepts cash, checks and most major credit cards including Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. They can be purchased online at MISpeedway.com, by calling 800-354-1010, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week or by stopping at the MIS ticket office Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Nestled in the lush Irish Hills of Southeastern Michigan, Michigan International Speedway is the Great Escape, a venerable NASCAR national park where fans can get away and enjoy the very best in racing and camaraderie. It’s the love of racing and the thrill of a great time for race fans and drivers alike.

The best, guaranteed lowest prices in 2010 will go to customers who make a $30 goodwill deposit until Jan. 5. New customers can log onto www.MISpeedway.com or call 800-354-1010 to leave a deposit. That deposit ensures race fans get the best pricing for 2010. Prices are subject to go up after the deposit period.

Michigan International Speedway – 2010 Schedule

Friday, June 11           ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX Racing for Wildlife 200
Saturday, June 12      NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
Sunday, June 13         NASCAR Sprint Cup Series LifeLock 400

Friday, Aug. 13           Gatorade Pole Day
Saturday, Aug. 14       NASCAR Nationwide CARFAX 250 Series
Sunday, Aug. 15         NASCAR Sprint Cup CARFAX 400 Series

- Michigan International Speedway, Press Release

Michigan International Speedway

The next edition of the popular online chat MIS Live! will focus on deposits, gift certificates and regifts just in time for the holiday shopping season. It will give fans a great opportunity to ask questions of MIS President Roger Curtis and his staff on what the Irish Hills track can do to get that hard to shop race fan the perfect gift.

The webinar is free and can be viewed by visiting MIS channel on Ustream.tv. The link is www.Ustream.tv/channel/MIS-Live.

“These webinars are always a lot of fun for us and the fans really enjoy them,” Curtis said. “There are many race fans that are looking for that perfect gift for their loved ones this year and we thought having this webinar right before the holiday shopping season is a good way for fans to ask questions about what MIS has to offer.”

A $30 goodwill deposit or $25 gift certificate make great stocking stuffers for any MIS race fan. Deposits and gift certificates purchased before Jan. 5 also guarantee fans the best pricing for the speedway’s 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events on June 13 and August 15. New customers can log onto MISpeedway.com or call 800-354-1010 to leave a deposit or purchase a gift certificate.

Nestled in the lush Irish Hills of Southeastern Michigan, Michigan International Speedway is the Great Escape, a venerable NASCAR national park where fans can get away and enjoy the very best in racing and camaraderie. It’s the love of racing and the thrill of a great time for race fans and drivers alike.

Michigan International Speedway – 2010 Schedule

Friday, June 11           ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX Racing for Wildlife 200

Saturday, June 12      NASCAR Camping World Truck Series

Sunday, June 13         NASCAR Sprint Cup Series LifeLock 400

Friday, Aug. 13           Gatorade Pole Day

Saturday, Aug. 14       NASCAR Nationwide CARFAX 250 Series

Sunday, Aug. 15         NASCAR Sprint Cup CARFAX 400 Series

Michigan International Speedway, Press Release

Michigan International Speedway

Michigan International Speedway is collecting goods to benefit two local charities by hosting a lap around the racetrack from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, weather dependent. Guests may take one lap in their personal automobiles around the historic two-mile oval in exchange for a new, unwrapped toy or bag of food that will be donated to Toys for Tots in Jackson, Mich., and the Food Pantry, in Brooklyn, Mich., respectively.

“People need hope during the holidays, especially during tough economic times,” Alisha Cottrell, director of Government and Community Relations for MIS, said. “Hopefully our efforts will not only give those in a need a little lift, but also brighten the lives of the staff for getting involved in our community.”

Anyone who donates at the speedway or participates in the track drive will automatically be entered to win two tickets to the June weekend at MIS as a guest in the Champions Club, MIS’ all-inclusive hospitality suite. The suite tickets are good June 11-13.

Track drive participants should enter the speedway though the US 12 gate (12626 US Highway 12, Brooklyn, Mich.) and follow the signs to the entry point. Guests will be directed to enter the racetrack via the backstretch, where they will take a controlled pace lap of 25 mph around the two-mile racetrack. Once around the track, guests will depart the track where they entered.

The speedway has not opened its gates for a public track drive since 2005 when it hosted a similar effort to benefit the victims of Hurricane Katrina. That drive raised more than $20,000.

Toys and food donations will also be accepted at MIS during regular business hours, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Toys for Tots and Food Pantry collection boxes are in the speedway lobby until Dec. 16.

All donated toys must be unwrapped and new. Donated food items should be nonperishable. The Food Pantry is also seeking soap products, paper goods, canned fruits and juices.

MIS’ neighbor Competition Tire will donate a Goodyear vehicle for storage and transportation of all donations collected during the event.

The employees of the speedway and Americrown Corp. will provide support for the event and also make a donation to the two organizations with personal support. The staff at MIS have traditionally adopted two local families for the holidays, but are putting their efforts behind the two organizations to serve a larger good.

Holiday Inn Club Vacations Resort properties

“Now, more than ever, local charities need our support,” speedway President Roger Curtis said. “We don’t just work here; we live here. And our neighbors need help this holiday. We’re happy to be a part of this community and need our race fans and friends to help us support it.”

For details on the MIS track drive or donation collection during regular business hours, please call the speedway at 517-592-6666. Or log onto www.MISpeedway.com.

Nestled in the lush Irish Hills of Southeastern Michigan, Michigan International Speedway is the Great Escape, a venerable NASCAR national park where fans can get away and enjoy the very best in racing and camaraderie. It’s the love of racing and the thrill of a great time for race fans and drivers alike.

The best, guaranteed lowest prices in 2010 will go to customers who make a $30 goodwill deposit until Jan. 5. New customers can log onto www.MISpeedway.com or call 800-354-1010 to leave a deposit. That deposit ensures race fans get the best pricing for 2010. Prices are subject to go up after the deposit period.

Michigan International Speedway – 2010 Schedule

Friday, June 11 ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX Racing for Wildlife 200
Saturday, June 12 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
Sunday, June 13 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series LifeLock 400

Friday, Aug. 13 Gatorade Pole Day
Saturday, Aug. 14 NASCAR Nationwide CARFAX 250 Series
Sunday, Aug. 15 NASCAR Sprint Cup CARFAX 400 Series

- Michigan International Speedway, Press Release

Michigan International Speedway

In early November, those efforts took another big step as 42 trees were planted throughout the track property. The trees were purchased in a joint effort between MIS and NASCAR as part of the sanctioning body’s “Green Clean Air” program.

Eleven tracks, including MIS, participated in the NASCAR Green Clean Air program in 2009. The program was created to help offset the carbon emissions produced from Sprint Cup Series race weekends and was launched at MIS last June with the help of NASCAR driver Ryan Newman.

“Working with NASCAR to bring these trees to MIS is great for the environment and for the sport in general to help offset carbon emissions that occurred during the June LifeLock 400 race weekend,” track President Roger Curtis said. “Many of our MIS race fans are avid about the environment and enjoy the fact that MIS is located in the Irish Hills of Michigan, where thousands of trees are located around the 1,400-acre track property. Adding 42 trees is very fitting for what we are trying to accomplish and that is to be a green racetrack.”

The trees were purchased from and planted by Beaubien Landscape Development of Adrian, Mich. Members of the Beaubien staff were on property planting a variety of trees — nine types in all — including maple, cypress, pear and American Linden. Many were planted around the track’s North Village and High Banks Village, and at some of the entrance gates.

MIS is no stranger to conservation efforts. The speedway took part in The Conservation Fund’s Go Zero program over the August 2009 “Show Me the CARFAX” Race Weekend.

The Conservation Fund approximated the amount of carbon dioxide emissions that resulted from the fuel used by the race cars during last August’s Show Me the CARFAX Weekend, including the Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series practice and qualifying sessions, as well as the emissions resulting from the energy burned by the facility and fan travel to the racetrack. MIS offset that total carbon dioxide with a donation to The Conservation Fund.

In return, The Conservation Fund will plant approximately 311 native trees in Mingo National Wildlife Refuge. Those trees will trap carbon dioxide, filter water, control flooding, create new habitat for wildlife and public recreation areas.

Fine Christmas Chocolates

With much of its 1,400 acres featuring a variety of forests, protected wetlands and scenic wildlife reminiscent of the Irish Hills, MIS is expanding its efforts with initiatives which further enhance its commitment to the “Great Escape – National Park” atmosphere that race fans and staff have enjoyed for years.

Nestled in the lush Irish Hills of Southeastern Michigan, Michigan International Speedway is the Great Escape, a venerable NASCAR national park where fans can get away and enjoy the very best in racing and camaraderie. It’s the love of racing and the thrill of a great time for race fans and drivers alike.

The best, guaranteed lowest prices in 2010 will go to customers who make a $30 goodwill deposit until Jan. 5. New customers can log onto www.MISpeedway.com or call 800-354-1010 to leave a deposit. That deposit ensures race fans get the best pricing for 2010. Prices are subject to go up after the deposit period.

Photo attachment: Beaubien Landscape Development employees Tony Butchart (right) and Joel Whelan plant a tree near MIS’ High Banks hospitality village located outside turn 3. This photo is for media use. Please credit Michigan International Speedway.

Michigan International Speedway – 2010 Schedule

Friday, June 11 ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX Racing for Wildlife 200
Saturday, June 12 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
Sunday, June 13 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series LifeLock 400

Friday, Aug. 13 Gatorade Pole Day
Saturday, Aug. 14 NASCAR Nationwide CARFAX 250 Series
Sunday, Aug. 15 NASCAR Sprint Cup CARFAX 400 Series

- Michigan International Speedway, Press Release

Tony Stewart and his father Nelson, taken on the starting grid of last Sunday’s LifeLock 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn. (Photo credit: CIA Stock Photography)

The Tony Stewart you see today is very much like the Nelson Stewart who raced late model stock cars across Northern Indiana in his 20s. Tenacious, tough, determined, and above all, focused. But at the age of 44, Nelson’s focus changed. He sold his SCCA D Production car in favor of a go-kart for his seven-year-old son.

In addition to the go-kart, Nelson gave Tony all of the traits that separate a good driver from a good racer.

“He never let me settle for second,” said Stewart, who is currently in his 29th year of competitive racing. “He didn’t like it when we ran second, and he knew that I didn’t like it when we ran second. If he saw that I wasn’t giving 100 percent, then he was on me pretty hard about it. He pushed me to be better.

“He never pressured me to be the best racecar driver in the world, but he did want me to be the best racecar driver that I could be. He never compared me to anybody else. He expected that what I could do was what I could do. He never said that because this guy over here could do something, that I should be able to do it, too. He pushed me hard, but he was fair about it. That’s probably why you see so much fire in me today, because he always wanted me to be the best that I could be.”

Being the best is nothing new to the younger Stewart. He won the 1983 International Karting Federation national championship, the World Karting Association championship in 1987, and was the 1991 USAC Sprint Car rookie of the year. In 1995, he made history by becoming the only driver to win USAC’s Triple Crown, taking the national Midget, Sprint and Silver Crown titles. And since he did it while living in the town of Rushville, Ind., the Rushville Rocket moniker was born, much to the chagrin of those in Tony’s hometown of Columbus, Ind.

While both towns claim Tony Stewart as their own, it’s Nelson whose status as Dad trumps all others, with the exception, of course, being Tony’s Mom, Pam Boas.

Both saw their son’s open-wheel success lead him to a ride in the IRL IndyCar Series in 1996, which brought him an IndyCar championship a year later. That paved Stewart’s way into NASCAR country with Joe Gibbs Racing, where Stewart went on to win 33 Sprint Cup races and two championships before becoming a driver/owner in 2009 with Stewart-Haas Racing, the team he co-owns with Oxnard, Calif.-based Haas Automation.

As a 37-year-old Stewart made the massive leap from being just a driver to taking on the dual role of driver/owner with his own team –Stewart-Haas Racing – Nelson has been there to see his son succeed once again.

Top-10s begat top-fives for Tony, which included a slew of runner-up results that on May 31 put the driver of the No. 14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet Impala SS atop the Sprint Cup championship standings. It was the first time a driver/owner had led the points since Nov. 15, 1992 when Alan Kulwicki clinched the championship by 10 points over Bill Elliott in the year’s season finale at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

A week later, Tony claimed his 34th career Sprint Cup win, but first as a driver/owner, when he took the checkered flag on June 7 in the Pocono 500 at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway. There in victory lane to greet the first driver/owner to win a race since Ricky Rudd on Sept. 27, 1998 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway was Nelson Stewart.

“At the time he won the first Brickyard, I thought, ‘This has got to be the biggest thing we’ve been involved with or ever seen,’” said Nelson, who watched Tony win his first Allstate 400 at the Brickyard in 2005 and his second in 2007. “But, knowing what it took to get to this point in this deal and seeing him win a race, I’m not going to say I’m putting it above the first Brickyard, but it’s right up there with the first Brickyard.”

That Nelson ranks his son’s victory at Pocono right alongside his first win at the hallowed Indianapolis Motor Speedway is proof that Tony’s latest endeavor in the ultra-competitive world of Sprint Cup is an impressive achievement.

“Tony’s having fun. I guess it’s a different side of him than everybody thought he had. It’s been there all along,” Nelson said. “Right now, everything’s just going really, really well and things are falling in place and he’s got all good people and everybody’s having fun. That’s the most important thing is that everybody’s having fun. With fun comes success.

“I wasn’t privy to all of the information when Stewart-Haas Racing was in the works, but I knew enough about it to know that everybody was working hard at it, and if everything came together the way it looked like it was going to, that it would be a success. I wasn’t one of those people from the start that doubted he could do it, because he’s amazed me all of his life. Every time I think he can’t do something, he turns around and does it. He loves challenges, and this was going to be a definite challenge. It’s all about the people. They’ve acquired the right group of people to do what they need to do.”

That Tony has been this successful this soon is due in part to the guidance offered by Nelson as his son grew from a young go-kart racer to prodigy to bona fide star.

“He’s my dad, so obviously he’s seen and done a lot of things that I haven’t,” Tony said. “He’s given me some good advice over the years, but probably the best advice he ever gave me was to just remember the people who have helped me, because somewhere along the ladder that you’re climbing up, you’re eventually going to climb back down, and you’re going to meet those people again sometime.

“I’ve watched the folks that he’s dealt with in his career and in mine, and we’re still friends with all the people that we’ve raced with in the past. We never felt like we were better than anybody else. We always kept those relationships, and we always treated those people the way they treated us.”

“I really think back in the day, back when we started, I paid a lot of attention to detail because we didn’t have a lot of money,” Nelson said. “The money we had, we had to spend wisely to accomplish the things that we wanted to accomplish. I think Tony is so observant that when he sees something, you may not know that he picks up on it, but he files it away and then somewhere down the road, you run into it again and you see that same thing that you tried to get to him with before. I’ve seen that several times. He files it all away and thinks, ‘One of these days, maybe I’ll use it.’

“I think that when we started, clear back when, the way we went about what we did and the way I saw other fathers and their kids go about things, I always told Tony I thought they were trying to take too big of leaps at the time, that they needed to work at it slower and do it more methodical. I think that’s the way we did it. I think evidently some of that stuck, because it seems like that’s what he’s done ever since then. I’m not saying I had anything to do with it, but I think he picked up somewhere along the line in the stuff that I did tell him back then that if you go about it in a systematic manner, good things come from it. It may not have even been by design, but it appears that’s the way everything’s gone since then.”

And with another top-10 finish last Sunday at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn that gave his son a series-leading 11 top-10s for the season, Nelson is assured of having another very good Father’s Day.

- True Speed Communication for Stewart-Haas Racing/Office Depot/Old Spice, Press Release

For the third time this season, Greg Biffle’s No. 16 crew took top honors in the Tissot Pit Road Precision Award by winning the weekly competition in Sunday’s LifeLock 400 Sprint Cup race (June 14) at Michigan International Speedway.

The win not only paid Biffle’s crew $5,000, but it also lifted the No. 16 team to a tie for first in the Tissot standings. Jeff Gordon’s No. 24 crew also has three wins.

The crew with the most Tissot wins at the completion of the 36-race schedule will receive a $100,000 bonus plus Tissot watches for the crew and driver.

The win for the No. 16 crew at Michigan came as a result of Biffle’s 3M Ford Fusion spending the least amount of time on pit road (161.317 seconds) during the 400-mile race. The crew’s performance helped Biffle to a fifth-place finish.

The No. 16 crew won despite the absence of its regular rear-tire carrier — Kevin McDowell, who stayed back in North Carolina with his wife due to the pending birth of the couple’s first child. Garrett Redding filled in for McDowell.

“This Tissot win was earned by good pit stops, period,” said Rodney Fetters, jackman for the No. 16 crew. “The 3M team was on the same pit-road cycle as all the leaders and they got it done by defending our rectangle. In all my years of Cup racing, I have never seen a team that pulls together more than this team.”

Biffle’s over-the-wall crew at Michigan consisted of: Todd Zeigler (front-tire changer), Colin Pasi (front-tire carrier), Kyle Power (rear-tire changer), Garrett Redding (rear-tire carrier), Rodney Fetters (jackman), Billy Manchester (gasman), Ryan Dextraze (catch can) and Chris Elliott (windshield). The team’s crew chief is Greg Erwin and the pit crew coach is Andy Ward.

Tissot has been the official watch and timekeeper of NASCAR since 2006. The company is also the official timekeeper for a number of other sports, including the MotoGP World Championship, the Ice Hockey World Championship and the Cycling World Championship.

2009 Tissot Pit Road Precision Award Standings

Pos Team No. Pit Crew For Wins Prize Money

T1 24 Jeff Gordon 3 $15,000

T1 16 Greg Biffle 3 15,000

T3 43 Reed Sorenson 1 5,000

T3 14 Tony Stewart 1 5,000

T3 33 Clint Bowyer 1 5,000

T3 48 Jimmie Johnson 1 5,000

T3 39 Ryan Newman 1 5,000

T3 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 1 5,000

T3 1 Martin Truex Jr. 1 5,000

T3 00 David Reutimann 1 5,000

T3 99 Carl Edwards 1 5,000

2009 Tissot Pit Road Precision Award Winners

Daytona, 2/15 Reed Sorenson Team

Fontana, 2/22 Tony Stewart Team

Las Vegas, 3/1 Greg Biffle Team

Atlanta 3/8 Clint Bowyer Team

Bristol, 3/22 Jimmie Johnson Team

Martinsville, 3/29 Jeff Gordon Team

Fort Worth, 4/5 Jeff Gordon Team

Phoenix, 4/18 Ryan Newman Team

Talladega, 4/26 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Team

Richmond, 5/2 Jeff Gordon Team

Darlington, 5/9 Martin Truex Jr. Team

Charlotte, 5/25 David Reutimann Team

Dover, 5/31 Greg Biffle Team

Pocono, 6/7 Carl Edwards Team

Michigan, 6/14 Greg Biffle Team

- DMF Communication for Tissot Pit Road Precision Awards, Press Release

NSCS Red Bull Racing Teams No. 82 & No. 83

Who:

+ LATE TO THE PARTY

Stock cars haven’t raced 500 miles at Michigan since the track’s first NASCAR race in 1969. Brian Vickers wouldn’t have minded 100 more in Sunday’s LifeLock 400, because by the time the No. 83 Red Bull Toyota showed the speed it did in winning the pole it was too late.

Vickers started first for the eighth time in his career and second straight at Michigan International Speedway, but the car couldn’t keep up and fell out of the top 10 after green-flag pit stops cycled through. His first “really loose” reference came 25 laps in, and despite a series of changes over four stops the car’s handling condition remained the same.

It wasn’t until the final stop — on lap 152 of 200 — that the No. 83 reacted to wedge and air-pressure adjustments to the right rear. Vickers picked up two spots on pit road and restarted 15th with 44 laps to go. Relaying that the car was “by far the best it’s been all day,” Vickers charged into the top 10 for the first time since the first stop.

The race went green to the end, and Vickers, in conservation mode, finished ninth in a race ultimately decided by fuel mileage. He picked up a position when the No. 48 ran dry and fell out of the top 20.

“Obviously, not how we wanted to finish,” Vickers said. “We were happy with the car in practice, and today we started off and it was just really, really, really loose. We fought it all day. We got it fixed on the last run, but we ran out of time.

“The car felt completely different than it did yesterday. We finished practice a little tight, and I was thinking the car would be good. I’ve never seen (the track) change that much.”

The top-10 finish was Vickers’ sixth of the season. He remained 17th in the standings, picking up only seven points in the race to the Chase. He’s 136 points out with 11 races remaining before the Chase begins Sept. 20 at New Hampshire.

Like his teammate, No. 82 driver Scott Speed endured the same tale of handling woe. Reporting a vibration, Speed retreated to the garage on lap 126 so the team could repair a broken gear. He returned to the track 24 laps later running 38th and finished 37th. The No. 82 ranks 36th in the car owner standings — 53 points from the top 35.

+ UP NEXT

Toyota/SaveMart 350, Sunday, June 21, 2009, Infineon Raceway

- Red Bull Racing Team, Press Release

Bill Elliott Wood Bros. Racing/Motorcraft - Photos courtesy of Dorsey Patrick Photography

Elliott ran in or around the top 20 for the entire afternoon and then stretched 46 laps out of the last tank of fuel en route to a 16th-place finish on Sunday.

“The guys did a great job,” co-owner Eddie Wood said. “We had a great run and learned a lot.”

The 16th-place showing on Sunday follows the team’s best finish of the season, 15th at Charlotte three races ago. On Friday, Elliott qualified in the 15th position, making his No. 21 Motorcraft Fusion the top-qualifying Ford in the Michigan field.

“My hat’s off to these guys,” Elliott said. “They have done an awesome job. We just need to keep expanding on what we’re doing, but this Ford Motorcraft bunch has done a great job.”

In a race that produced only three caution flags, Elliott’s Ford, at times was running lap times as fast as those of the leaders. Following the race’s final caution period when the entire field pitted, a handful of the leaders eventually ran out of fuel, while Elliott maintained power to the end. Elliott made up four positions on the final run.

The Wood Brothers are running a limited 12-race schedule in 2009 as the team looks to regain the form it had when it was dominating the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in the 1970’s.

Elliott, the 1988 series champion, is in his third season with the team, which will miss the next three races before returning to action on July 10-11 at Chicagoland Speedway, which – like Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte, where Elliott scored his best finish of the season – is a 1½-mile track.

“Motorcraft and Ford Racing has helped us out on this deal for this year and believing in us to run a limited amount of races and it’s really paying off,” Elliott said. “I think [crew chief] David Hyder and all the guys working back at the shop have really improved this car 100 percent. From where we started the first of the year to the last two or three races, I think we’ve learned a lot.”

- Wood Brothers Racing, Press Release

2009 NSCS Robby Gordon - (Photo Credit: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Shortly after the green flag, Gordon called in to his crew to report an extremely loose handling condition. Differing track conditions from earlier practice sessions had caused changes to the track, leaving it with much less grip than it had prior in the weekend. The driver of the No. 7 Red Stag by Jim Beam / Kid Rock Camry gave it all that he had to keep the race car off the wall and intact during the opening laps. Even though he was “wrecking loose,” Gordon was able to hold on to the car and continued pacing himself with the leaders.

Gordon brought his car down pit road on Lap 37 for the first green flag stop of the race. The crew serviced the No. 7 Red Stag by Jim Beam / Kid Rock Camry with four tires, fuel and a chassis adjustment. When pit stops cycled through, Gordon was scored in the 18th position and his car was handling much better.

As the afternoon went on, continued track changes resulted in additional handling difficulties. However, with only three cautions during the 200-lap event, Gordon dealt with the changing conditions. With each stop, the No. 7 Red Stag by Jim Beam / Kid Rock crew made adjustments to improve their Camry. In spite of changing tracked conditions affecting the car’s handling, Gordon raced around the top 20 and maintained a lead lap position for entire day at the two-mile, D-shaped oval track.

When the caution came out on Lap 150, all of the leaders came down pit road for service. The crew decided to go with a different strategy than many of the front-runners, to ensure that they would not have to make another stop before the finish. The crew came down pit road on Lap 153 with all of the other lead lap cars. However, when the field was given the signal for one-to-go under caution on Lap 155, Gordon headed back down pit road to top off his fuel tank. As some of the front runners had their fuel tanks run dry at the end of the race, Gordon was able to continue on track. By the time the checkered flag fell, Gordon was scored in the 17th position.

“I’m very proud of our efforts this weekend in Michigan,” said Gordon. “We’ve done a lot of work to improve our intermediate program, and it’s nice to see our efforts start to pay off. We unloaded with a strong car and had a great qualifying run – that’s really a key to success with these cars. We finished 3rd at Lowe’s a few weeks ago and had a strong run today. Hopefully, we can build upon that momentum going into this weekend’s road course in Sonoma. We have put a lot of effort into our road course program, and I just hope that we’ll be able to bring home RGM’s first Cup victory.”

The Sprint Cup Series is headed to Infineon Raceway for the first road course race of the season. Live television coverage of the race will be held on TNT beginning at 4:30 p.m. EST on Sunday, June 21. PRN and Sirius Satellite radio will provide live radio coverage of the event beginning at 4:00 p.m. EST.

- Robby Gordon Motorsports, Press Release