Bristol Motor Speedway 50th Anniversary

The main event in March, the Food City 500, which is the fourth Sprint Cup race of the season, takes place March 18. The IRWIN Tools Night Race, the sport’s most popular event, takes place Aug. 25.

“We’re coming off of another spectacular August race week,” said BMS executive vice president and general manager Jerry Caldwell. “Overall, it was a great year, but we’re already looking for ways to make it even better in 2012. Once again, fans will get to experience Bristol early in the season and as always, our goal is to make certain it’s an unforgettable weekend, just like our August event.

“Everyone knows that when it comes to supporting their sport, race fans have no equal. And I’ll take that a step further by saying that I believe Bristol Motor Speedway’s fans are the most loyal and passionate in NASCAR. We simply have the best fans in the world and we can’t wait to have them back next year.”

NASCAR kicks off the BMS March race weekend with Ford Fan Friday March 16, followed by the Nationwide Series event March 17, and the Food City 500 Sprint Cup race March 18.

August race week will begin with the Camping World Truck Series/Whelen Modified Series UNOH Perfect Storm 150 doubleheader Aug. 22. The Food City 250 Nationwide Series race is Aug. 24, followed by the IRWIN Tools Night Race Aug. 25.

Season tickets, as well as March race weekend only tickets, are now available. To purchase tickets, please contact the BMS ticket office at its toll free number 1-866-415-4158 or 423-BRISTOL (274-7865). Tickets also may be purchased at www.bristoltix.com.

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

Jarett Andretti

The 18-year-old Andretti has had a winning spring and summer behind his No.11 Tracy Trotter-owned, Calico Coatings / Window World midget winning three times on the Eastern Ford Focus Series traveling tour. Andretti last won July 1 at Ace Speedway in Altmahaw (N.C.) keeping him perfect at the track this year with two feature wins. He also won earlier this year at the famed Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway. His record for the summer also includes two runner-up finishes on the Eastern tour along with multiple poles and heat race wins to help give him a 21-point lead in the national rankings.

“I’m not really thinking about my last name right now, but more about winning races,” said Jarett. “We’ve had a lot of success with this Calico Coatings/Window World Ford Focus Midget on the Eastern Series winning heat races, poles and features. That’s been great. We’ve also been doing some events on the Midwest Series at tracks like the Speedrome where my father won a championship. I’m just trying to get as much track time as possible, learn and hopefully the points will play out in our favor at the end of the year.”

Jarett will next compete July 12 at the Bryant Heating and Cooling Indianapolis (Ind.) Speedrome in a Midwest Series event. He will also continue the Eastern Series tour on July 24 at the Concord (N.C.) Motorsports Park. Andretti is still looking for a corporate sponsor to compete in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Series and the NASCAR Pro Series East later this season and into 2012.

- Breaking Limits Press Release

NASCAR Logo

These PSAs, which will feature a number of NASCAR drivers and be shown in more than 500 Walmart locations, will highlight opportunities for NASCAR fans and Walmart customers to support military families in their local communities.

“NASCAR has a long history of supporting our men and women in uniform and their families,” said Marcus Jadotte, NASCAR managing director of public affairs. “We are proud to partner with Walmart to produce a PSA campaign in support of the First Lady and Dr. Biden’s call to action in support of military families.”

Scheduled to launch Memorial Day Weekend, the NASCAR-produced spots will direct viewers to a website – www.joiningforces.gov – where they can learn more about opportunities to support local efforts.

Support of the “Joining Forces” initiative falls in line with a number of other important military initiatives for NASCAR:

· NASCAR will host its 7th Annual Tribute to the Soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in August 2011. The event includes NASCAR drivers, executives and team owners visiting soldiers and wounded warriors at Walter Reed, followed by an autograph session, dinner and performance for the service members and their families.

· NASCAR, together with the Armed Forces Foundation (AFF) and in support of their mission of “Serving Those Who Serve,” will continue to recognize service men and women through a newly-launched “Troops to the Track” program. Each “Troops to the Track” program offers wounded service members and those serving in particularly stressful positions in the military a respite from their daily routines for a VIP style NASCAR experience during a race weekend.

· NASCAR will continue hosting a series of NASCAR watch parties at military facilities around the country in an effort to thank and honor service members while they are serving on base.

- NASCAR, Press Release

Stringer Motorsports

“Donny is a proven two-time Champion in the NASCAR Whelen Series and working together with another proven Champion Crew Chief Trip Bruce and all the guys on our #90 Team should prove to be an exciting time this weekend”. Says Doug Stringer. “Donny is a great addition to our Stringer Motorsports team along with our other driver Brad Sweet who will soon be featured once again in the #90 Great Clips Racing Truck”.

“I am really looking forward to this opportunity to work with Crew Chief Trip Bruce and the guys at Stringer Motorsports.” says Lia. “ I am thankful for the opportunity that Doug Stringer is giving me to drive his #90 truck, and I couldn’t imagine being able to work with a better group of guys as I try to reach my personal goal of being successful in this series with solid finishes and hopefully some more wins in this truck series. I have been plagued with some bad luck in the trucks this year, and hopefully we can turn that around and bring home some solid finishes in the #90 truck.

I am looking forward to soaking up the knowledge from Trip, since he is a proven winner, and hopefully I can begin to experience the same success in the truck series as I have in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Series over the past couple of years. I only have one previous start at Kentucky Speedway and although I find the track itself is a rough track, I enjoy the challenge of trying to figure out the best way to maneuver my way around it”. Said Lia.

“Our team is real excited to work with Donny this weekend. We have a great group of guys that dedicate themselves to this team and my car chief Donnie Tarantino comes from a Modified background like Donny Lia does, so this should be fun working with him”. “The last time I was at Kentucky in the truck series, we won in 2008 with Johnny Benson, so a repeat of that would be awesome. Donny Lia is a great driver and this Stringer Motorsports Team is looking forward to him driving our truck”. Says Crew Chief Trip Bruce.

The green flag for the Built Ford Tough 225 presented by the Greater Cincinnati Ford Dealers is scheduled to drop at 8:00 pm EST. Racing coverage will air live on SPEED and MRN. SPEED will begin their NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Set Up show at 7:30pm and MRN coverage will begin at 7:45pm EST.

For additional information about Stringer Motorsports please log on to: www.stringerracing.com

- Stringer Motorsports Press Release

Ryan Newman in car - Photo Credit: Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR

This will be Newman’s fourth consecutive Whelen Modified Tour start at NHMS. Newman won the pole in his first ever Modified event at the speedway in 2008; however lady luck has not served him well since; he finished 34th at last June’s event, but bounced back with an eighth place finish during the SYLVANIA 300 weekend in September.

“I have really had a blast racing the Modified. I got my first chance in the car at New Hampshire in 2008, and we were able to get the pole,” said Ryan Newman. “We had a great run going in the race. We led laps and then had a problem early with a flat tire, but we moved back up toward the front of the field. Unfortunately, we got caught up in an on-track accident and didn’t get the finish we had hoped to get – we were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I’ve run a few more times since then. We won at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway, and I haven’t had the best of luck at New Hampshire or at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway when I ran there last year – but I have had a lot of fun.”

Don’t miss your chance to see Ryan Newman and all the stars of NASCAR’s Whelen Modified Tour during the New England 100 on Saturday, June 26. Tickets for Saturday start at just $25 for adults, children ages 12 to 16 are $5, and children ages 11 and under are free.  For more information, please visit us online at www.nhms.com or call our Ticket Hotline at (603) 783-4931.

Join all of the “Motorsports Magic,” purchase your tickets now for the LENOX Industrial Tools 301 on Sunday, June 27 and the SYLVANIA 300 on Sunday, September 19 by visiting us online at www.nhms.com or by calling our Ticket Hotline at (603) 783-4931.

- New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Press Release

Bristol Motor Speedway Logo

BRISTOL, Tenn. (Tuesday, March 23, 2010)

NASCAR’s most coveted ticket to its wildly popular Sprint Cup event, the IRWIN Tools Night Race, along with its companion events, is now on sale at Bristol Motor Speedway.

A three-day package features 1,100 laps of non-stop action at the World’s Fastest Half-Mile. Included is the Aug. 18 Wednesday night doubleheader, the O’Reilly 200 (Camping World Truck) and the UNOH Perfect Storm 150 (Whelen Modified), the Food City 250 (Nationwide) Aug. 20 and the showcase event Aug. 21, the IRWIN Tools Night Race.

Fans who can only attend the Friday and Saturday night races also may purchase a two-race package for the Food City 250 and IRWIN Tools Night Race.

Packages for all three days start at only $170 while pricing for the two-day package begins at $126.

To purchase, please contact the BMS ticket office at 423-BRISTOL (274-7865) or visit www.bristoltix.com.

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 600 Racing 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

Bristol Motor Speedway Logo

Track operations personnel extended SAFER (Steel And Foam Energy Reduction) barriers at the exits of Turns 2 and 4. Work began last week and will be complete before NASCAR teams arrive for the Food City 500 weekend, March 19-21.

“We believe with these modifications, we will not only increase driver safety, but will also create a different transition at the exit of the turns,” said Jeff Byrd, BMS President and General Manager. “While we don’t know exactly how this will impact the racing, the more confined racing area should create less elbow room and tighten up the racing groove at those points.”

A deteriorating track surface forced officials in the summer of 2007 to put down a fresh layer of concrete and an additional four feet of width to the racing groove was part of the change. The modifications will eliminate some of that added room.

“Without question, this extra four feet added room and aided in creating three and, at times, even four-wide racing,” Byrd said. “However, while it is breathtaking, many of our fans have responded that we went too far, in actuality, giving too much racing room to the greatest drivers in the world.”

A package for the Food City 500 weekend is available for only $99. The package consists of Ford Fan Friday qualifying March 19, followed by Saturday’s doubleheader, the Scotts Turf Builder 300 and the Scotts EZ Seed Showdown, culminating with the Food City 500 on Sunday.

For fans who can only attend the Food City 500, single day tickets also are available, starting at $93. Tickets for Saturday’s doubleheader begin at just $45 while fans can watch Ford Fan Friday qualifying for just $5, then attend Food City Race Night at BMS for free.

A season ticket package featuring nine events during the March and August NASCAR weekends starts at only $199. The package includes the two most popular Sprint Cup races in the sport, along with a pair of Nationwide events, a Camping Truck Series race, the Scotts EZ Seed Showdown, a Whelen Modified event, qualifying and Food City Race Night.

For more information concerning tickets, please visit www.bristoltix.com or call the BMS ticket office at 423-BRISTOL (274-7865).

Bristol Motor Speedway is a subsidiary of Speedway Motorsports, Inc.  Speedway Motorsports is a leading marketer and promoter of motorsports entertainment in the United States.  The Company owns and operates the following premiere speedways: Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Infineon Raceway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway.  The Company provides souvenir merchandising services through its SMI Properties subsidiary, and manufactures and distributes smaller-scale, modified racing cars through its 600 Racing subsidiary.  The Company also owns Performance Racing Network (PRN), which broadcasts syndicated motorsports programming to more than 725 radio stations nationwide including XM Satellite and NASCAR.com.  For more information, visit the Company’s website at www.gospeedway.com.

- Bristol Motor Speedway, Press Release

Atlanta Motor Speedway 50th logo

Below is a numerical look at some interesting historical feats, facts, and figures at Atlanta Motor Speedway:

0: Total number of ‘modern’ NASCAR Modified Series races run at Atlanta Motor Speedway, making Friday, March 7’s race Atlanta’s first NASCAR Southern Whelen Modified Tour event in history. Pre-modern Modifieds competed at AMS in 1961 and 1963.

.006 seconds: Margin of victory for Kevin Harvick over Jeff Gordon in the Spring 2001 race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, the closest ever in the track’s history.

1: Total number of drivers to win a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series race on the same weekend, which Carl Edwards did in the Spring of 2005.

2: The fewest cautions during the running of the 1977 Atlanta 500.

3 hours, 3 minutes, 3 seconds in the No. 3 Chevrolet: Dale Earnhardt’s record time for a 500-mile Cup race at AMS on November 12, 1995.

6: Bobby Labonte has the most wins among active drivers at AMS. His first win came at the 1996 NAPA 500 and his most recent win in the 2003 Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500.

7: Most NASCAR Sprint Cup Series pole wins by one driver, shared by Buddy Baker and Ryan Newman. Baker was Newman’s NASCAR racing mentor.

9: Most individual wins at Atlanta Motor Speedway by Dale Earnhardt.

20: Total length in miles of wiring used in television production of a NASCAR race.

30: The time in seconds it took race fans to purchase 1,000 $1 tickets online and by phone to the Kobalt Tools 500 after Jaime McMurray won the Daytona 500 in the No. 1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet. AMS sold $1 tickets to commemorate McMurray’s win in the No. 1 car.

32: Most cars finishing on the lead lap, during the 1998 NAPA 500.

35: Number of victories for Chevrolet, the most among any manufacturer at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

42: Different winners in the 50-year Atlanta Motor Speedway NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing history.

45: Record number of lead changes in the fall NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in 1982.

62: The most starts by any active driver at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bill Elliott.

66: Number of AMS starts for Richard Petty, the record for all drivers at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Dave Marcis is second with 60 starts.

65-75: Number of HD cameras used in the average NASCAR television broadcast.

92: Number of 500-mile races staged at Atlanta Motor Speedway, the most of any NASCAR-sanctioned track. (Eight events in the 1960s were 250, 300 and 400-mile events.)

133.87 mph: Pole speed for the July 31, 1960 Dixie 300, the inaugural NASCAR race at AMS. Fireball Roberts sat on the pole and won the race.

150.0: Kurt Busch’s perfect Driver Rating in the 2009 Kobalt Tools 500, only the eighth time a perfect score has been achieved since the statistics addition to loop data in 2005.

197.478 mph: Track record for one-lap NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying set by Geoffrey Bodine in November 1997.

887: Total acreage at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

1,320 feet: Total length of pit road at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

26,807: Total number of miles driven at Atlanta Motor Speedway by Richard Petty, the most of any NASCAR driver in Atlanta’s history.

$3,444,171: Career Sprint Cup winnings for Jeff Gordon at Atlanta Motor Speedway, the most among all drivers.

For more information on the upcoming Kobalt Tools 500 race weekend or to purchase tickets, contact the Atlanta Motor Speedway Ticket Office at (770) 946-4211, (877) 9-AMS-TIX, or visit www.atlantamotorspeedway.com.

- Atlanta Motor Speedway, Press Release

During ’09 to date, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is averaging a 0.91 (665,000 households), up 7 percent compared to the ’08 equivalent-date averages of 0.85 (615,000 households).

The popular pre-race show, NCWTS Setup with Krista Voda, scored a Nielsen Rating of .55 (407,000 households), up 175 percent from last year’s .20 (142,000 households). The NASCAR Whelen Modified Series race from Bristol scored a .45 (329,000 households).

The Trucks are back on the track next week as the final 10 events of the season begin with the 1.5-mile tri-oval of Chicagoland Speedway. NCWTS Setup with Krista Voda begins at 8:30 p.m. ET, with race coverage beginning at 9 p.m. ET. SPEED also will provide coverage of NCWTS qualifying from Chicago (Aug. 28, 5 p.m. ET).

SPEED™ is the nation’s first and foremost cable television network dedicated to motor sports and the passion for everything automotive. From racing to restoration, motorcycles to movies, SPEED delivers quality programming from the track to the garage. Now available in more than 78 million homes in North America, SPEED is among the fastest-growing sports cable networks in the country and, the home to NASCAR on SPEED and an industry leader in interactive TV, video on demand, mobile initiatives and broadband services. For more information, please visit SPEEDtv.com, the online motor sports authority.

- SPEED™ Press Release

If things go according to planned, Ryan Newman will one-up Busch with NASCAR’s top-three touring divisions visit Bristol Motor Speedway next month. In addition to running those three races, he also plans to race in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Series race, also to be held at Bristol the same week.

One of the cars Newman will be piloting that week will be the No. 5 Nationwide Series entry of JR Motorsports. Scott Wimmer was originally scheduled to race the No. 5 in the Bristol Nationwide race, but changes were made to the schedule so that Newman could attempt the four-race week. - Fully Story by Amanda Vincent – Louisville NASCAR Examiner

Bristol Motor Speedway

During August race week, the 31-year-old NASCAR Sprint Cup star again will be making his mark at BMS, while also etching his name in the NASCAR record books as he makes history by competing in NASCAR’s top three divisions, as well as the Whelen Modified Series, at the same track in the same week.

Newman will start his marathon during the wildly popular August race week at the World’s Fastest Half-Mile with the UNOH Perfect Storm 150 Whelen Modified race and the O’Reilly 200 Camping World Truck Series event Wednesday, Aug. 19. On Friday, Aug. 21 he will compete in the Food City 250 Nationwide Series event and run the final leg, the Sharpie 500 Sprint Cup Series race, Saturday, Aug. 22.

When totaled, Newman stands to make an astounding 1,100 laps, traveling more than 586 miles around the .533-mile oval over three nights and could be in the seat for more than seven hours. It will definitely be a challenge, one Newman is looking forward to meeting.

“It is going to be a challenge to compete in all four races, but I am really looking forward to it. It’s a lot of miles, a lot of laps,” said Newman. “I have done the Nationwide and Cup races on the back-to-back nights in August before, and that can be difficult. Throw in the Truck and the Modified race on Wednesday, and it’s like I am running a second Cup race there. So, I know it is not going to be easy.

“I know it’s going to be hot and sticky at Bristol. And always, Bristol is a very physically demanding track. I will have to be sure to stay hydrated and loose, and Bristol is as much a mental racetrack as a physical one. It’s going to be fun and a challenge and I’m looking forward to it. I just hope that I can put on a good show for all of my sponsors and all of the fans out there who will be supporting me.”

The fact that he will be making history by competing in all four events isn’t lost on Newman.

“It’s an honor to be the first NASCAR driver to run in all four Series in one weekend,” he said. “Being the first to do this wasn’t really my goal when I decided that I wanted to compete in all the races at Bristol, but it is pretty cool to have that recognition. For me, it’s just about racing and having a good time and hopefully having some really good finishes along the way.”

Newman began thinking about going for the Bristol grand slam back in early March.

“I’m not sure how this whole deal really came together,” he said. “When I was in Bristol earlier this year, we were talking about how I was running the Modified, Truck and Sprint Cup race in August; and someone said it would be really cool if I could find a car and compete in the Nationwide race, too. I thought about it, and was like ‘Yeah, that would be pretty cool.’ So, a lot of people started working on trying to get a Nationwide ride for me.

“Luckily, Scott Wimmer, Fastenal and JR Motorsports, were willing to trade races so that I could drive the No. 5 car at Bristol, and I really appreciate that. They have given me an incredible opportunity and I can’t thank them enough. Hopefully, I can get a win for them in the Nationwide race on Saturday at Bristol as a way to thank them.”

Newman’s success at BMS during the August race week, could also mean some big money for a lucky fan. Should Newman win all four races, one lucky fan will pocket the same amount he would win in purse money – approximately $400,000. To enter, fans should visit the BMS website at www.bristolmotorspeedway.com.

Also, fans can enter the “Rocket Ryan’s Pick ‘Em” contest. Fans will pick where they think Newman will finish in each of the four races and prizes will be awarded for first through fourth-place finishes. Both contests will begin online Monday, July 6.

First prize is two suite seats for every NASCAR event at BMS in 2010, second prize is two grandstand tickets for every NASCAR event at BMS in 2010, plus Half-Mile Club hospitality, third place is two grandstand ticket for every NASCAR event at BMS in 2010 and fourth prize is two grandstand tickets to the weekend of your choice at BMS (March or August) in 2010.

To take part in the “Rocket Ryan’s Pick ‘Em” contest, fans can visit www.bristolmotorspeedway.com. Once fans pick where they think Newman will finish in each race, they may also make a donation to the Ryan Newman Foundation/Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities.

Newman will be piloting the No. 7NY Aggressive Hydraulics ride in the UNOH Perfect Storm 150, the No. 2 Pringles truck, owned by Kevin Harvick Inc. in the O’Reilly 200, the No. 5 Fastenal Nationwide car owned by JR Motorsports in the Food City 250 and the No. 39 U.S. Army/Haas Automation ride, owned by Stewart-Haas, in the Sharpie 500.

Ticket packages for the Sharpie 500 and the Food City 250 are currently available, starting at only $145. Tickets also are on sale for the Wednesday night doubleheader – the UNOH Perfect Storm 150 and the O’Reilly 200 – for $30 and tickets for the Food City 250 begin at $45.

Anyone purchasing a package for the Sharpie 500 and Food City 250 will be eligible for the buy one, get one free Wednesday night ticket.

Tickets may be purchased by calling the BMS ticket office at (423) 989-6900 or by visiting www.bristoltix.com.

- Bristol Motor Speedway, Press Release