Category: Other Series PR

BRISTOL, Tenn. (Wednesday, September 21, 2011) – For the greatest thrill show around, head to Bristol Dragway Sept. 24 for Fas Mart Thunder Valley Mayhem presented by Beef O’ Brady’s Family Sports Restaurant. With flames, destruction and extreme speed, no other event in the region comes close to matching Thunder Valley Mayhem.

Thunder Valley Mayhem, known for its thrill-a-minute action, will include some of racing’s craziest machines and outrageous personalities in an evening of edge-of-the-seat entertainment.

Nitro-Powered Pro Mods will square off in one of the wildest shows on four wheels. Fans who have not seen the Pro Mods in person will not want to miss this. The pilots of these nitro-belching rockets have their work cut out as the cars fight them down the entire length of Thunder Valley.

Fans not only will be treated to action from the Pro Mods, the high-speed excitement continues with lightning-fast passes by flame-throwing jet dragsters. These dragsters are capable of intense fire shows and can blaze their way down the track at speeds nearing 200 mph.

New to this year’s show is a monster truck match race. While these massive machines are known for their ability to destroy, they have plenty of horsepower to propel them down Bristol Dragway at unbelievable speeds for a 10,000-pound monster.

Always a crowd favorite, Team FMX returns with mind-bending freestyle motorcycle tricks which will have everyone on their feet pushing them to do their craziest stunts, while Transaurus, a mega dinosaur who likes the taste of metal, will show up to tear trashed cars to shreds.

Thunder Valley Mayhem exhibition runs are slated for 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Saturday evening.

Those in attendance will have plenty to keep them busy all weekend. The event, held in conjunction with the Super Chevy Show, will showcase the region’s best bracket racers in exciting head-to-head racing action.

Fans also will get to see a spectacular selection of some of the best classic and modern Chevys. The Keisler Engineering car show is one of the biggest and best Chevy and General Motors car shows around. Additionally, anyone interested in locating new products for their restoration project will want to visit the Performance and Restoration Marketplace. If that hard-to-find part is nowhere to be found, the car corral and used parts swap meet is definitely the place to go.

For extreme excitement and entertainment, Fas Mart Thunder Valley Mayhem presented by Beef O’ Brady’s is just the ticket.

Spectator admission is $20 for Saturday’s activities. Saturday’s admission ticket includes admission to the Super Chevy Show. Children 10 and under are only $5.

For more information about Fas Mart Thunder Valley Mayhem presented by Beef O’ Brady’s, please call (423) 989-6900 or visit www.bristoldragway.com.

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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, Infineon Raceway, Kentucky Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Lowe’s 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

 

MONTEREY, CA, Saturday, September 17, 2011: Despite a solid podium finish in a gruelling six-hour event today – sometimes the hunted becomes the hunter. Such is the case for former Le Mans Prototype Challenge (LMPC) championship points leaders CORE autosport with one race left in the 2011 American Le Mans Series (ALMS) season. After a three-race podium drought, the #06 Excel Consultants / Composite Resources ORECA FLM09 of Ricardo Gonzalez, Gunnar Jeannette and Rudy Junco finished in second spot in the LMPC class (sixth overall).

The sister #05 Bayshore Recycling /Composite Resources machine of Jon Bennett, Frankie Montecalvo and Andy Wallace finished in fourth spot (eighth overall). These solid results from the first-year team was not enough to hold onto the lead for the ALMS LMPC driver and team championships, a place they’ve held since the beginning of the season.

With one race left in the 2011 season, CORE autosport drivers are three points behind race winner Eric Lux and the team is two points behind Lux’ Genoa racing team. The ModSpace American Le Mans Monterey presented by Tequila Patrón eventat Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca began with young Montecalvo behind the wheel of the #05 in fourth on the grid and Gonzalez in the #06 in second.

By the time the field circulated the 11-turn, 2.238-mile circuit, Gonzalez was in the lead, which he was able to maintain until the end of his nearly two-hour stint. Montecalvo worked the #05 up to second spot prior to turning the car over to team owner Jon Bennett. Taking over from Gonzalez, Junco held onto the lead until the 2 hour and 45 minute mark, when #89 Kyle Marcelli took the first spot. For the remaining hour and fifteen minute stint for Junco he rallied from a low of fifth spot to bring the car in third to turn over to Gunnar Jeannette.

The #05 with Bennett ran strongly, but got caught in traffic and he handed the car over to former Le Mans 24 Hour champion Andy Wallace in fourth position, which due to a series of accidents and caution periods, would be where Wallace finished out the race. Once behind the wheel of the #06, Jeannette immediately worked his way to second spot behind the #63 Genoa car driven by former teammate Elton Julian, and then began a battle between the two for first place that lasted until there were only 28 minutes to go.

It was at that point when Jeannette elected to pit for fuel and rear tires, thinking that he could make up the time between he and the Genoa car, which also had to stop for fuel if the race were to remain green.

Unfortunately for CORE autosport there was a yellow flag with a mere 16 minutes remaining and the Genoa team, made up of Eric Lux, Elton Julian and Michael Guasch was able to make it to the end of the race without stopping for fuel. Jeannette tried to make up the time between the two entries and fought traffic but his efforts were denied by a mere 0.329 seconds.

The final race of the 2011 season is the American Le Mans Series finale, the Petit Le Mans Powered by Mazda, on Saturday October 1. The ten hour or 1000-mile event held at Road Atlanta pays more points than almost any other race during the season, so the CORE autosport team still has a solid chance to take dual 2011 championships.

Karam Secures Seven Top-Ten Finishes and Two Poles During Rookie Season

INDIANAPOLIS (Sept. 19, 2011) – Andretti Autosport driver Sage Karam finished the 2011 Star Mazda Championship Presented by Goodyear with two race wins and the prestigious Rookie of the Year award.

In his first season in the competitive Star Mazda series, Karam had a total of seven top-five finishes, including three podiums, and secured two pole positions throughout the year. The up-and-coming young driver finished fifth in championship points standings. In June, Karam led 93 of 98 laps around the Milwaukee Mile to record his first victory of the season. He won his second race with a 7.8-second lead at Iowa Speedway.

Karam, a 16-year old native of Nazareth, Pa., won the 2010 Cooper Tires Presents the USF2000 National Championship Powered by Mazda driver championship with Andretti Autosport, scoring nine victories in 12 starts during the season. He also helped Andretti Autosport clinch the USF2000 team title, its first championship since re-branding in 2009.

Zach Veach, Andretti Autosport driver in the 2011 USF2000 series, joined Karam for the final two rounds of the Star Mazda Championship. Veach, a 16-year-old from Stockdale, Ohio, secured a third place podium finish at the final race of the season at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Sanctioned by INDYCAR, the Star Mazda Championship is one of two series part of both the Mazda Road to Indy ladder system and the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development driver program. As the 2010 USF2000 championship winner, Karam received a sponsorship package from Mazda valued at $350,000 to help him advance to the Star Mazda series in 2011 as part of the Mazda Road to Indy program.

For more information, visit www.AndrettiAutosport.com and www.StarMazda.com .

J-F THORMANN, CHAIRMAN, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER,

ANDRETTI AUTOSPORT:

“We are extremely proud of everything Sage [Karam] has accomplished this year in the Star Mazda Championship. Moving up from USF2000 was a big step for both him and the team, and he handled the learning experiences of the good and bad very well. He worked hard and deserved the Rookie of the Year award. With his talent and with a year’s experience, we are certain he will be successful next year as well and has an even better shot at the championship title. We were also pleased with Zach’s [Veach] quick adjustment to the Star Mazda car in these last two races and his podium finish this past weekend. We are looking forward to next year in the Mazda Road to Indy.”

SAGE KARAM, DRIVER, #88 TEAM MAZDASPEED/COMFORT REVOLUTION:

“This season had a lot of ups and downs. There were a lot of great moments, though, and definitely a lot of learning experiences. No one expected a win or podiums, so I think we have to be happy with our results. The MAZDASPEED/Comfort Revolution team at Andretti Autosport did an awesome job throughout the year. Even for the races that we didn’t finish in the top-five, I know we were all working our hardest. But that’s just part of learning. I’m honored to be named Rookie of the Year. It’s been a lot of fun this season, and hopefully we can come back stronger for the championship next year.”

ZACH VEACH, DRIVER, #77 TEAM ZAKOSI DATA BACKUP:

“Coming from USF2000 with Sage [Karam] as my teammate last year, I jumped at the chance to become teammates again. We work really well together, so he was a big help when I started to run the Star Mazda car. I have to thank Andretti Autosport for allowing me to have this experience and move up the Mazda Road to Indy ladder one rung at a time. It was great to get some seat time before next season, when we can make another run for a Star Mazda win.”

-END-

About Andretti Autosport

Based in Indianapolis and led by racing legend Michael Andretti, Andretti Autosport fields multiple entries in the IZOD IndyCar Series. Andretti Autosport also campaigns multiple cars in Firestone Indy Lights, the Star Mazda Championship and in the USF2000 National Championship. The company boasts three IZOD IndyCar Series championships (2004, 2005 and 2007), two Firestone Indy Lights titles (2008 and 2009), one USF2000 championship (2010) and has won the Indianapolis 500 twice (2005 and 2007). For more information, please visit www.AndrettiAutosport.com.

BRISTOL, Tenn. (Monday, September 19, 2011) – Maryville’s Chris Johnson wrapped up his second consecutive DER Racing Series Super Pro championship last weekend at Bristol Dragway, while Thunder Valley veterans Tim Griffith and John Nelson Jr. earned titles in Pro and Sportsman, respectively.

Chester Lay earned the Trophy category championship, while Ben Knight brought home the Motorcycle division. Dylan Howard won Junior Dragster Division I, while another Dylan, Dylan Kiser, took home Jr. Dragster Div. II.

By the time Saturday was over, five of the seven eventual points champions made it to final round, with four standing in the Winner’s Circle, highlighting the importance of gaining every possible point toward the championship.

Griffith, of Cedar Bluff, Va. claimed the Pro win over a red-lighting Larry Barr of Johnson City. Griffith’s winning run had a .039 reaction time, and a 7.488 elapsed time (7.47 dial-in) at 89.39 mph. Bristol’s Nelson Jr. took the Sportsman category, defeating Don Evans of Abingdon, Va. Nelson Jr. came off the line with a .030 R.T. and finished his run with an 11.329 E.T. (11.30 dial-in) at 115.02 mph.

Bristol’s Knight boosted his championship hopes when Mike Conley of Jonesborough turned on the red-light in the final round. Knight left with a .083 R.T. and sailed through the line in 6.178 sec. (6.23 dial-in) at 116.17 mph.

Howard of Corryton raced to the Div. I win on Saturday, posting a .056 R.T. and an 8.952 E.T. (8.95 dial-in) at 72.52 mph to oust Roan Mountain’s Gracie Freeman.

Landon Stahl of Boone, N.C. earned the Div. II win over Kiser, with a .017 R.T. and an 8.282 E.T. (8.23 dial-in) at 79.23 mph. The final round effort aided Kiser in his championship hunt, however.

A pair of Newland, N.C. competitors faced off in the final round of Super Pro on Saturday, with William Daniels getting the best of Vance Houston. Daniels turned in a stellar .003 R.T. and a 7.118 E.T. (7.09 dial-in) at 94.20 mph to come out victorious.

Bluff City’s Bill Roberts won Saturday’s Trophy division with a .223 R.T. and a 15.160 E.T. (15.12 dial-in) at 89.49 mph over Roan Mountain’s Chrystal Freeman.

Ironically, after Saturday’s impressive showing, none of the season champions made it to the final round on Sunday.

Knoxville’s Travis Nelson earned the Super Pro win on Sunday, taking a time slip featuring a .014 R.T. and a 4.854 E.T. (4.85 dial-in) at 141.77 with him to the Winner’s Circle. Chuck Chism from Asheville, N.C. earned the Pro category win on Sunday. He and his opponent, Cody Spears, broke out, with Chism a little closer to the dial. Chism had a .072 R.T. and an 8.402 E.T. (8.41 dial-in) at 78.38 mph to claim the win.

Spears came up better in Sportsman action, earning the win over Evans who came up short in the final round for the second day in a row. Spears’ final run had a .034 R.T. and a 13.521 E.T. (13.51 dial-in) at 96.36 mph. Bryce Acuff of Knoxville won Sunday’s Motorcycle division when Elizabethton’s Chris Johnson turned on the red light in the final. Acuff had a .007 R.T. and a 6.349 E.T. (6.37 dial-in) at 105.61 mph to earn the win.

Blountville’s Carson Brown defeated Joseph Denton from Bristol, Va in the final round of Jr. Dragster Div. I. Brown used a .084 R.T. and a 9.054 E.T. (9.04 dial-in) at 72.68 mph to earn the win. Rogersville’s Gabe Ellison earned the Jr. Dragster Div. II victory after Tiffany Howard of Corryton ran faster than her dial. Ellison had a .076 R.T. and a 7.979 E.T. (7.96 dial-in) at 82.02 mph.

Freeman avenged her Saturday Trophy category loss by earning Sunday’s victory. She came off the line with a .252 R.T. and raced through the finish in 16.036 sec. (15.92 dial-in) at 83.83 mph.

Bristol Dragway and the DER Racing Series congratulates all of the champions and race winners from the 2011 season. Thunder Valley returns to action with the Sept. 23-25 Super Chevy Show presented by GM Performance Division. The event is highlighted by the Sept. 24 Fas Mart Thunder Valley Mayhem presented by Beef O’Brady’s Family Sports Restaurant.

For more information, please call (423) BRISTOL or visit www.bristoldragway.com.

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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, Infineon Raceway, Kentucky Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Lowe’s 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

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Car Show and Swap Meet Participants Asked to Use BMS South Entrance

BRISTOL, Tenn. (Monday, September 19, 2011) –* Last season, Thunder Valley hosted one of the most successful and well-attended Super Chevy Shows of the year. In 2011, Bristol Dragway officials look to make the event even bigger.

To help streamline the registration process, Dragway and Super Chevy officials ask that all Keisler Engineering car show and Thompson metal swap meet and car corral participants use the South Entrance of Bristol Motor Speedway when arriving for the Super Chevy Show presented by GM Performance Division. The South Entrance is located on Highway 11E/Volunteer Parkway.

For more than 30 years, Super Chevy Show has been known for some of the most exciting bracket and exhibition racing in the country and this year is no different.

Bracket racers will flock to Thunder Valley to take part in exciting racing action in Bracket 1 (Super Pro), Bracket 2 (Pro), DOT and True Street, while Pro Mods, jet cars, monster trucks and much more will keep the strip hot during the pro shows.

Fans also will get to see a spectacular selection of some of the region’s best classic and modern Chevys. Chevy die-hards will be impressed with the attention to detail given to these show machines. The Keisler Engineering Super Chevy car show is one of the biggest and best Chevy car shows around and bowtie fans will not want to miss it.

Anyone interested in locating new products for their restoration project will want to visit the Performance & Restoration Marketplace. If that hard-to-find used part is nowhere to be found, the Thompson Metal car corral and used parts swap meet is definitely the place to go.

Mix in the excitement of Fas Mart Thunder Valley Mayhem presented by Beef O’ Brady’s Family Sports Restaurant on Saturday night, September 24 and this show is a can’t-miss event. During Mayhem, fans should prepare themselves for the ultimate evening of entertainment, including fast machines, extreme thrills and edge-of-the-seat excitement.

Thunder Valley Mayhem exhibition runs will take place at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, while the Pro Mods and jet dragsters will run again on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

For extreme excitement and entertainment, the Super Chevy Show and Fas Mart Thunder Valley Mayhem is the place to go.

Gates open Friday at 9 a.m. with racer tech inspection. A Test and Tune session is scheduled for noon.

Gates open at 8 a.m. on Saturday with Car Show registration and tech inspection also beginning at this time. Time trials take place from 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Saturday’s bracket racing begins at 2:30 p.m.

Saturday’s Fas Mart Thunder Valley Mayhem has two pro show sessions scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Sunday gates open at 8 a.m. with car show registration from 8 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. Tech inspection also beings at 8 a.m. A Racers for Christ chapel service is slated for 8:30 a.m. Time trials will run from 9 a.m. – noon. Sunday’s bracket race rolls off at 12:30 p.m. with Sunday’s Pro Show featuring the Pro Mods at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Spectator Admission is $10 Friday and Saturday and Sunday for $20 each. Saturday’s admission includes Thunder Valley Mayhem. A weekend pass is available for only $30. Ages 10 and under are $5 per day, or $10 for the weekend. Full hook-up camping is available for $100.

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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, Infineon Raceway, Kentucky Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Lowe’s 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

Member of the National Motorsports Press Association and others

 

BRISTOL, Tenn. (Thursday, September 15, 2011) – Bristol Dragway heats up Sept. 23-25 with one of the most exciting weekends of the season, featuring the Super Chevy Show and Fas Mart Thunder Valley Mayhem presented by Beef O’ Brady’s Family Sports Restaurant.

Super Chevy Show’s extreme exhibition machines return to Bristol Dragway to take part in the ultimate thrill show, Thunder Valley Mayhem on Saturday night. Nitro Extreme Pro Mods, which also will make passes on Sunday afternoon, will square off in one of the wildest shows on four wheels.

The Pro Mods, however, are just the start of an exciting evening of exciting thrills. Fans will be treated to lightning-fast passes by the Chattanooga Choo-Choo and Cannonball Express “jet trains,” while two monster trucks will square off in the “largest” drag race in Thunder Valley this season.

Team FMX will bring their electrifying motocross stunt show to Thunder Valley Mayhem and put on a performance like no other. Each time Team FMX shows up in Bristol, fans are guaranteed to see stunts and tricks like they can only catch on television.

Add crowd-favorite Tranasaurus, who will show up to tear trashed cars to shreds, and a spectacular fireworks extravaganza and Fas Mart Thunder Valley Mayhem is the perfect nightcap for Saturday’s activities at the Super Chevy Show.

All of Thunder Valley Mayhem’s professional drivers and exhibition acts will be available to meet fans in the pit area during the event.

Thunder Valley Mayhem exhibition runs will take place at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, while the Pro Mods and jet dragsters will run again on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Thunder Valley Mayhem is just one highlight of this extremely busy and exciting weekend. Bracket racers will flock to Thunder Valley to take part in exciting racing action in Bracket 1 (Super Pro), Bracket 2 (Pro), DOT and True Street.

Fans also will get to see a spectacular selection of some of the region’s best classic and modern Chevys at the Keisler Engineering car show. Chevy die-hards will be impressed with the attention to detail given to these show machines. Super Chevy attracts the top machines and surely is an event for any true General Motors fan.

Anyone interested in locating new products for their restoration project will want to visit the Performance & Restoration Marketplace. If that hard-to-find used part is nowhere to be found, the car corral and used parts swap meet is definitely the place to go.

For extreme excitement and entertainment, the Super Chevy Show and Fas Mart Thunder Valley Mayhem are just the ticket.

Gates open Friday at 9 a.m. with racer tech inspection. A Test and Tune session is scheduled for noon.

Gates open at 8 a.m. Saturday with Car Show registration and tech inspection also beginning at this time. Time trials take place from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday’s bracket racing begins at 3 p.m.

Saturday’s Fas Mart Thunder Valley Mayhem presented by Beef O’ Brady’s Family Sports Restaurant has two pro show sessions scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Sunday gates open at 8 a.m. with car show registration from 8 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. Tech inspection also beings at 8 a.m. A Racers for Christ chapel service is slated for 8:30 a.m. Time trials will run from 9 a.m. – noon. Sunday’s bracket race rolls off at 1 p.m. with a Sunday’s Pro Show featuring the Pro Mods takes place at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Spectator Admission is $10 Friday, with Saturday and Sunday $20 each. Saturday’s admission includes Thunder Valley Mayhem. A weekend pass is available for only $30. Ages 10 and under are $5 per day, or $10 for the weekend. Full hook-up camping is available for $100.

For more information about Super Chevy Show or Fas Mart Thunder Valley Mayhem, please call (423) BRISTOL or visit www.bristoldragway.com.

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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, Infineon Raceway, Kentucky Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Lowe’s 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, Tenn. (Thursday, September 15, 2011) –* Just because the IRWIN Tools Night Race is in the rearview mirror, it does not mean Bristol Motor Speedway and Dragway will take a rest — not even close.

In the next few weeks, BMS will be invaded by a car-eating dinosaur, speedy sharks and the fastest race cars to ever grace the banks of the “World’s Fastest Half-Mile.”

“We are proud to host some of the best events in racing and the final two weeks of this season are a testament to that,” said Jerry Caldwell, BMS Executive Vice President and General Manager. “October 1 not only marks one of our favorite events, the Sharky 500 and Kids Expo, it includes the debut of the extremely quick MustSeeRacing Sprint Cars and the season finale for Street Fights.

“The week before, we have Thunder Valley Mayhem and Super Chevy Show. We definitely are going to have something for everyone to close out the racing season this year.”

All the fun begins during the Sept. 23-25 Super Chevy Show presented by GM Performance Division at Bristol Dragway. The Super Chevy Show features a weekend full of exciting bracket and exhibition racing, as well as the amazing Keisler Engineering Car Show and the Thompson Metal car corral and used parts swap meet. Spectator admission is $10 Friday, while Saturday and Sunday are $20 each. A weekend pass is available for only $30. Ages 10 and under are $5 per day or $10 for the weekend.

It doesn’t end there, as Fas Mart Thunder Valley Mayhem presented by Beef O’ Brady’s Family Sports Restaurant kicks up the action Saturday evening, Sept. 24 with a wide variety of extreme machines. From Nitro Pro Mods and jet dragsters to extreme motocross stunts and Transaurus, this is the ultimate thrill show for all ages. An exciting monster truck match race also highlights this event. Exhibition racing rounds take place at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Saturday’s Super Chevy Show admission includes Thunder Valley Mayhem.

On Oct. 1, BMS closes the 2011 racing season with a day full of action for the entire family. The day begins with the fourth annual Kid’s Expo, a free event, which takes place in conjunction with the Sharky 500, a Speedway Children’s Charities rubber shark race that raises funds for agencies in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia

A number of activities will be held at the Kid’s Expo, including cornhole tournaments, an inflatable playland, the YMCA rock wall, and a Big Wheel drag race, to name a few. Live entertainment will be provided by Daisi Rain, a local youth band.

The shark race takes place on Beaver Creek between the Speedway and Bristol Dragway. The sharks are released simultaneously into the creek with the first few across the finish line scoring some amazing prizes, including the 2011 Ford Mustang BMS pace car (valued at more than $32,000), provided by Tri-Cities Ford Dealers. Second-place is $5,000 in merchandise from Grand Home Furnishings while the third-place shark will win its owner four tickets to anywhere American Airlines flies in the United States (excluding Alaska and Hawaii), Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. Each shark is $10 and there is no limit on the number an individual can purchase. Sharks can be purchased at BMS, Grand Home Furnishings and Pizza Plus.

The Kid’s Expo will take place from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., while the Sharky 500 is set for 1 p.m.

Beginning at noon on Oct. 1, Bristol Dragway will open its gates for the final time this year to host the Fas Mart Street Fights season finale. Racing begins at 1 p.m. and anyone with a valid driver’s license can challenge legendary Thunder Valley in their own street-legal vehicle for only $10. Spectator admission is $5. From the family minivan to high-horsepower American Muscle, there is something for everyone at Street Fights.

Oct. 1 also marks the debut of the TruFuel Xtreme Speed Classic, an event featuring winged sprint cars from the MustSeeRacing Xtreme Sprint Series. One of the series’ drivers, Jason Blonde, set a new BMS lap record during the World’s Fastest Half-Mile Speed Trials in March. Blonde lapped the track in 13.245 seconds at an average speed of 144.871 mph, shattering the previous track record held by NASCAR’s Ryan Newman.

With open wheels and extremely high speeds, the race is sure to be one fans won’t want to miss. The afternoon also will include the Rolling Thunder Modified Touring Series, Street Stocks and Mod-4s.

Gates open at 1:30 p.m. for the Xtreme Speed Classic, with racing slated for 3:15 p.m. Adult tickets are $15 in advance or $20 on the day of the event. Children’s tickets are $3 in advance or $5 on race day.

For more information about the thrilling conclusion to the 2011 racing season at Bristol Motor Speedway and Dragway, please call (423) BRISTOL, toll free at 1-866-415-4158 or visit www.bristolmotorspeedway.com.

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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

 

ROCK HILL, SC, Tuesday, September 13, 2011: Six hours at 100 percent. That is what the Le Mans Prototype Challenge (LMPC) championship leaders CORE autosport is up against at the upcoming race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

After mixed results in Baltimore which narrowed the American Le Mans Series LMPC standings to a one-point lead for CORE autosport drivers Ricardo Gonzalez and Gunnar Jeannette over Eric Lux, and a mere two point lead for the team championship over Genoa Racing, CORE autosport is taking no chances as they approach the six-hour ModSpace American Le Mans Monterey presented by Tequila Patrón.

Three drivers will pilot each CORE autosport entry. In the #05 Bayshore Recycling / Composite Resources ORECA FLM09 will be former 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Andy Wallace joining regulars Frankie Montecalvo and team founder Jon Bennett for the first time.

The sister #06 Excel Consultants / Composite Resources machine will feature Road America LMPC winner Rudy Junco along with driver championship points leaders Gonzalez and Jeannette. The #06 lineup comes back together after a podium finish at the first-ever American Le Mans Series race for CORE autosport, the 2011 Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring.

Four of the six CORE autosport drivers have not driven an LMPC car on the 11-turn, 2.238-mile circuit, known for turns 8 and 8a, otherwise known as “The Corkscrew,” which drops five and a half stories in a mere 450 feet.

#05 drivers Montecalvo and Bennett have driven there in the IMSA Cooper Tires Prototype Lights series, while #06 drivers Gonzalez and Junco competed in the ALMS GTC class in 2010, as well as in other series. Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca will prove even more special for Gonzalez and Junco, as the Mexican natives will be celebrating 201 years of Mexican independence on Friday, Sept. 16

CORE autosport will celebrate by featuring a special “Viva Mexico” livery on the #06 as well as holding an independence day celebration from 12:45 to 1:30 p.m. on that day. The event is open to all ALMS paddock pass holders and will feature a mariachi band, Mexican snacks, a trivia contest with prizes, photograph opportunities for the #06 car and the Michelin Man, and a Q&A and autograph session with Gonzalez and other guests.

Qualifying for the ModSpace American Le Mans Monterey presented by Tequila Patrónwill be aired live on ESPN3.com on Friday, September 16 at 6:30 p.m. EST, with live race coverage on ESPN3.com on Saturday, September 17 at 4:15 p.m. EST. ESPN2 will televise a tape-delayed highlight of the event on Sunday, September 18 at 1 p.m. EST.

International viewers can see the event live on MotorsTV, Rogers Sports Net, Fox Sports Middle East and Fox Latin America Networks. Live radio broadcasts are available at www.americanlemans.com.

First female to ever do so, now waiting on National and Regional title results

LEBANON, Missouri (September 12, 2011) – Chrissy Wallace did something no other female Late Model driver has ever done in ASA competition over the weekend.

She clinched the ASA Late Model championship at her home track of Lebanon I-44 Speedway on Saturday night. In turn, that also put her back in the lead for the West Region track championship, which consists of hundreds of drivers from multiple tracks.

Now, the 23-year old daughter of NASCAR driver Mike Wallace has another fete left to accomplish this year – the ASA Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oil National Championship. But, she’s going to have to wait until October to find out the results for the West Region and National championship as other ASA Member track have seasons that are still in progress.

Going into her championship night at I-44 Speedway, Wallace had a solid point lead based off her six feature wins. She just needed to have respectable finishes in each of her 30-lap features on Saturday night to take the crown.

And, she came through finishing fifth in the first feature, and seventh in the second one. Making it even more special was having her entire family on hand for the crowning moment.

In 1990, Mike Wallace won the same track championship and went on to launch his NASCAR career the following year. Now, 21 years later, Chrissy is hoping the same comes true for her.

“This is just great,” Wallace said. “We worked real hard all year to achieve this goal and to have the season over and be the ASA Late Model champion at the same track my dad was, it’s just a very special thing for all of us.

“The toughest part of the year was coming back from being 12th in points at one time. The level of competition here is incredible, and I enjoyed racing everyone here at I-44 Speedway.

“When we were able to take the points lead here, that put us to the top of the ASA West Division, too. I can’t believe it, we still have two titles to compete for and our season is over. Now, we just have to sit and wait to see how the National and West Region ones work out. That would be the perfect ending to a great season.”

Wallace has made no secret of her desire to return to the NASCAR ranks in either the Camping World Truck Series, or the Nationwide Series. Utilizing her ASA Championships at a catalyst makes perfect sense.

The National and West Region championships will be decided after the final ASA events take place on September 25 at various member speedways. Currently, Wallace and Barry Beggarly of Ace (NC) Speedway are battling it out for the National title.

Wallace is leading the West Region standings, with Beggarly doing so in the East Region. Either way, the Wallace name is still prominent in racing circles around the country.

And now, Chrissy Wallace can put “champion” next to hers.

BRISTOL, Tenn. (Monday, September 12, 2011) – A perfect weekend greeted the DER Bracket Series competitors at Bristol Dragway last weekend, with several competitors earning key wins as the championship battle winds down.

Chris Johnson of Maryville won Saturday’s Super Pro action as Kingsport’s David Starnes turned on the red light by .001 sec. Johnson’s run had a .005 reaction time and a 4.913 elapsed time (4.92 dial-in) at 140.59 mph.

Gary Goldberg from Rockwood picked up Sunday’s Super Pro win in a similar fashion when Buddy Fleenor of Rogersville left the line too soon. Goldberg’s winning run combined a .015 R.T. with a 6.221 E.T. (6.22 dial-in) at 110.21 mph.

Josh Wyatt drove his Mustang to the Pro category win over Carl Widner from Elizabethton. The Blountville native had a .015 R.T. and a 7.060 E.T. (7.04 dial-in) at 105.54 mph to defeat his opponent in the final.

Brandon Bailey from Glade Spring, Va. earned Sunday’s Pro division victory, beating Johnson City’s Larry Barr. Bailey used a .026 R.T. and a 9.826 E.T. (9.81 dial-in) at 68.68 mph to oust Barr.

In a battle of Mustangs, Bristol’s CJ Elsea took his 1973 version to Saturday’s Sportsman win over a red-lighting Ben Knight, also of Bristol. Seeing the red, Elsea eased out of the starting line with a .275 R.T. and ran hard to the line, breaking out with an 11.520 E.T. (11.53 dial-in) at 116.19 mph.

John Isom of Bristol took the win in Sunday’s Sportsman action over Randy Walters from Bluff City. Isom’s winning run had a .029 R.T. and a 9.842 E.T. (9.81 dial-in) at 126.93 mph.

Gabe Ellison came out on top in Saturday’s Junior Dragster Division II when Holly Fleenor from Bristol, Va. turned on the red in the final. Ellison had an impressive .008 R.T. and a 7.931 E.T. (7.96 dial-in) at 82.49 mph.

Joseph Beeler from Knoxville defeated Elizabethton’s Jesse Edens for Sunday’s Div. II win. Beeler had used a .102 R.T. and an 8.002 E.T. (7.95 dial-in) at 76.97 mph to collect the win.

Blountville’s Carson Brown took Saturday’s Jr. Dragster Div. I category over Drew Smith of Barbourville, Ky. Brown had a .044 R.T. and drove through the lights with a 9.099 E.T. (9.08 dial-in) at 73.33 mph.

Dylan Howard of Corryton sent Roan Mountain’s Garrett Freeman back to the hauler in Sunday’s final round of Jr. Dragster Div. I. Howard reacted with a .033 R.T. and raced to an 8.927 E.T. (8.91 dial-in) at 73.33 mph.

Bluff City’s Jerry Turner defeated Michael Waller of Ivanhoe, Va. in the Motorcycle final round on Saturday. Turner left the line with a .086 R.T. and finished the run with a 5.897 E.T. (5.87 dial-in) at 118.53 mph.

Waller avenged his loss on Sunday, downing Bristol’s Knight in the final round of Motorcycle. Waller used a .040 R.T. and a 5.943 E.T. (5.87 dial-in) at 108.79 mph to earn the trip to the Winner’s Circle.

Bluff City’s Bill Roberts earned the Trophy category on Saturday, defeating Chester Lay of Corryton for the win. Roberts final round had a .029 R.T. and a 15.180 E.T. (15.12 dial-in) at 89.33 mph. Michael Nuttall from Rutledge earned the Trophy win on Sunday when Charles Justus of Hurley, Va. went red in the final. Nuttall had an .062 R.T. and 16.702 E.T. (16.71 dial-in) at 78.64 mph on the pass.

Bristol Dragway returns to action Thursday with the Fas Mart Street Fights Series, while the DER Bracket Series crowns its champions during the final weekend of action Sept. 17-18.

For more information about Bristol Dragway events, please call (423) 764-DRAG or visit www.bristoldragway.com.

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