CONCORD, N.C. (Sept. 5, 2008) – MRN Radio will provide live, flag-to-flag coverage of both of Sunday’s postponed NASCAR races at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway.

Air time for the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 Sprint Cup Series race is 12 p.m. (EDT).  It’s the final chance for drivers to secure spots in the 10-race Chase for the Sprint Cup that will crown the 2008 champion.  Later Sunday, the Emerson Radio 250 Nationwide Series race will air live on MRN Radio starting at 6:30 p.m.

“Although the weather has dramatically altered the schedule in Richmond, we want our many loyal listeners to know that they won’t have to miss a single lap of either event,” said MRN Radio President David Hyatt.

And there will be racing on MRN Radio Saturday.  The network is scheduled to air live coverage of the Camping World 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race from Madison, Ill.  Coverage will begin at 2 p.m. (EDT).

Although competitors in both the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide series were able to practice some on Friday in Richmond, Tropical Storm Hanna settled in over the speedway and forced the postponement of both Friday’s and Saturday’s race.  Qualifying for both series also was washed out, putting a pair of Joe Gibbs Racing drivers on the pole in their respective events: Kyle Busch in the Cup Series and Joey Logano in Nationwide.

###

ABOUT MRN RADIO

MRN Radio – now based in Concord, N.C. – is a division of International Speedway Corporation and the primary source for NASCAR stock car racing and related radio programming.  Its award-winning play-by-play coverage of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is delivered via satellite to over 700 radio stations nationwide plus the American Armed Forces Radio Network.  This makes MRN Radio the largest independent sports radio network in America.

*****************

MEDIA CONTACT:
John Singler
News Production
The Motor Racing Network (MRN Radio)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 5, 2008

ESPN Networks Will Have Live Coverage of Rescheduled NASCAR Races from Richmond

ESPN will have live coverage of the rescheduled NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Chevy Rock and Roll 400 Sunday from Richmond International Raceway. The telecast starts at 1 p.m. ET.  The race was postponed to Sunday due to effects from Tropical Storm Hanna.

ESPN2 will have live coverage of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race from Richmond that will be run Sunday night. The telecast begins at 6:30 p.m. with NASCAR Countdown, with the race to start at 7 p.m. The race was originally scheduled to be run Friday night.

Visit www.espnmediazone.com for ESPN’s latest releases, schedules and other news, plus photos, video and audio clips and more.

About NASCAR on ESPN:
ESPN and ABC have comprehensive, multi-platform coverage featuring telecasts of the final 17 NASCAR Sprint Cup races, including the 10-race “Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup” on ABC. Additionally, ESPN2 is the home of the NASCAR Nationwide Series all season. All programming is produced totally in high definition. ESPN’s comprehensive, multimedia NASCAR coverage extends to ESPN.com, ESPN Deportes, SportsCenter, ESPN the Magazine, ESPN Classic, ESPNEWS, ESPNRadio and ESPN International, among other ESPN platforms. ESPN aired 262 NASCAR Cup Races over a 20-year period starting in 1981 and returned to NASCAR coverage in 2007. The network’s award-winning, live flag-to-flag coverage on ESPN has been honored with 18 Sports Emmy Awards, as well as many industry honors. It is widely credited for helping to popularize the sport nationwide. NASCAR races have appeared on ABC for decades, beginning with broadcasts on the award-winning Wide World of Sports program in the 1960s.

-30-
 
Contacts:       Andy Hall
                George McNeilly

I don’t know how I missed this one but back on August 19th, NASCAR released it’s 2009 schedule.  A couple of things that I noticed, the Truck Series is still un-named for 2009 and, sadly, Kentucky Speedway doesn’t have a Sprint Cup date as of this release.  Until I saw this, I still had a little hope.  One thing that does give me hope is the very last line of the release that says all days subject to change.  Yea, I know, they put that on every year but, you never know…

For Immediate Release

* NASCAR Sprint Cup Schedule Has Realignment Involving Atlanta, Auto Club, Talladega Tracks

* NASCAR Nationwide Series Includes Date At Iowa Speedway

* NASCAR Truck Series Realigns Date To Chicago For Night Race

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 19, 2008) – NASCAR announced today its national series schedules for the 2009 season, which features realigned dates for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Truck Series.

In the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series there will be a three-way date swap between Atlanta Motor Speedway, Auto Club Speedway (formerly California Speedway) and Talladega Superspeedway.

• Atlanta’s second 2009 race will be held on Sunday, Sept. 6, taking the Labor Day weekend slot now held by Auto Club Speedway.

• Auto Club Speedway’s second race will be Sunday, Oct. 11 – the fourth week of the “Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup,” a slot formerly held by Talladega.

• Talladega’s second event will move to Sunday, Nov. 1, making it the seventh Chase event – the slot formerly held by Atlanta.

“The 2009 schedule reflects realigned dates that are good opportunities for everyone involved in our sport – fans, sponsors, tracks and teams," said NASCAR President Mike Helton.

The season begins with a tripleheader weekend at Daytona International Speedway capped by the running of the Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 15.

In addition to that season-opening event for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, the NASCAR Truck Series starts its season on Friday night, Feb. 13, followed the next afternoon by the NASCAR Nationwide Series opener.

For all three series, the season will conclude with another tripleheader weekend, at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Nov. 20-22.

Other key NASCAR Sprint Cup dates in 2009:

• The 31st annual Budweiser Shootout at Daytona – a non-points event – will be held on Saturday, Feb. 7.

• On the evening of Saturday, Sept. 12, Richmond International Raceway will again host the “Chase cut-off” race, affording the last opportunity for drivers to qualify for NASCAR’s championship playoffs.

• New Hampshire Motor Speedway will host the first races in both the “Race to the Chase” (Sunday, June 28) and the Chase (Sunday, Sept. 20).

There also will be an additional off-week for NASCAR’s premier series in 2009, prior to the Labor Day weekend event, giving teams a final break before a 12-week stretch that will end the season. Because of the way the calendar falls, NASCAR Sprint Cup teams will have a total of four off-weeks during the 2009 season.

2009 NASCAR NATIONAL SERIES SCHEDULES

The NASCAR Nationwide Series will have a 35-race schedule. Changes from this year include a new event at Iowa Speedway on Aug. 1, replacing Mexico City; a switch of the Atlanta Motor Speedway event from March to September; and moving the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve event in Montreal to Sunday, Aug. 30.

The NASCAR Truck Series in 2009 again will have 25 races, with one realigned date: The series’ late-season race at Atlanta will be replaced by a night event at Chicagoland Speedway on Friday, Aug. 28.

(The 2009 schedules follow on subsequent pages. Starting times and television information will be announced at a later date.)

For more information contact:

Herb Branham, NASCAR Public Relations

2009 NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES SCHEDULE

Date Site

Feb. 7 Budweiser Shootout at Daytona, Daytona International Speedway*

Feb. 15 Daytona International Speedway

Feb. 22 Auto Club Speedway

March 1 Las Vegas Motor Speedway

March 8 Atlanta Motor Speedway

March 22 Bristol Motor Speedway

March 29 Martinsville Speedway

April 5 Texas Motor Speedway

April 18 Phoenix International Raceway

April 26 Talladega Superspeedway

May 2 Richmond International Raceway

May 9 Darlington Raceway

May 16 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, Lowe’s Motor Speedway*

May 24 Lowe’s Motor Speedway

May 31 Dover International Speedway

June 7 Pocono Raceway

June 14 Michigan International Speedway

June 21 Infineon Raceway

June 28 New Hampshire Motor Speedway

July 4 Daytona International Speedway

July 11 Chicagoland Speedway

July 26 Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Aug. 2 Pocono Raceway

Aug. 9 Watkins Glen International

Aug. 16 Michigan International Speedway

Aug. 22 Bristol Motor Speedway

2009 NASCAR NATIONAL SERIES SCHEDULES

Sept. 6 Atlanta Motor Speedway

Sept. 12 Richmond International Raceway

Sept. 20 New Hampshire Motor Speedway

Sept. 27 Dover International Speedway

Oct. 4 Kansas Speedway

Oct. 11 Auto Club Speedway

Oct. 17 Lowe’s Motor Speedway

Oct. 25 Martinsville Speedway

Nov. 1 Talladega Superspeedway

Nov. 8 Texas Motor Speedway

Nov. 15 Phoenix International Raceway

Nov. 22 Homestead-Miami Speedway

* – Denotes non-points event.

2009 NASCAR NATIONWIDE SERIES SCHEDULE

Date Site

Feb. 14 Daytona International Speedway

Feb. 21 Auto Club Speedway

Feb. 28 Las Vegas Motor Speedway

March 21 Bristol Motor Speedway

April 4 Texas Motor Speedway

April 11 Nashville Superspeedway

April 17 Phoenix International Raceway

April 25 Talladega Superspeedway

May 1 Richmond International Raceway

May 8 Darlington Raceway

May 23 Lowe’s Motor Speedway

May 30 Dover International Speedway

June 6 Nashville Superspeedway

June 13 Kentucky Speedway

June 20 Milwaukee Mile

June 27 New Hampshire Motor Speedway

July 3 Daytona International Speedway

July 10 Chicagoland Speedway

July 18 Gateway International Raceway

July 25 O’Reilly Raceway Park

Aug. 1 Iowa Speedway

Aug. 8 Watkins Glen International

Aug. 15 Michigan International Speedway

Aug. 21 Bristol Motor Speedway

Aug. 30 Circuit Gilles Villenueve

Sept. 5 Atlanta Motor Speedway

2009 NASCAR NATIONAL SERIES SCHEDULES

Sept. 11 Richmond International Raceway

Sept. 26 Dover International Speedway

Oct. 3 Kansas Speedway

Oct. 10 Auto Club Speedway

Oct. 16 Lowe’s Motor Speedway

Oct. 24 Memphis Motorsports Park

Nov. 7 Texas Motor Speedway

Nov. 14 Phoenix International Raceway

Nov. 21 Homestead-Miami Speedway

2009 NASCAR TRUCK SERIES SCHEDULE

Date Site

Feb. 13 Daytona International Speedway

Feb. 21 Auto Club Speedway

March 7 Atlanta Motor Speedway

March 28 Martinsville Speedway

April 25 Kansas Speedway

May 15 Lowe’s Motor Speedway

May 23 Mansfield Motorsports Park

May 29 Dover International Speedway

June 5 Texas Motor Speedway

June 13 Michigan International Speedway

June 19 Milwaukee Mile

June 27 Memphis Motorsports Park

July 18 Kentucky Speedway

July 24 O’Reilly Raceway Park

Aug. 1 Nashville Superspeedway

Aug. 19 Bristol Motor Speedway

Aug. 28 Chicagoland Speedway

Sept. 12 Gateway International Raceway

Sept. 19 New Hampshire Motor Speedway

Sept. 26 Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Oct. 24 Martinsville Speedway

Oct. 31 Talladega Superspeedway

Nov. 6 Texas Motor Speedway

Nov. 13 Phoenix International Raceway

Nov. 20 Homestead-Miami Speedway

Note: All dates subject to change.

For Immediate Release

NO. 18 AND NO. 20 NASCAR NATIONWIDE SERIES TEAMS PENALIZED FOR RULE VIOLATIONS AT MICHIGAN INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 20, 2008) – NASCAR announced today that the No. 18 and No. 20 teams in the NASCAR Nationwide Series have been penalized due to rule violations discovered by NASCAR inspectors prior to post-race testing on the chassis dynamometer Aug. 16 at Michigan International Speedway.

Both the No. 18 and No. 20 cars were found to be in violation of Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 8-9 (competitive analysis – from time to time, NASCAR may determine, in the interest of competition, that it is necessary or appropriate to undertake an analysis of the performance capabilities of a car, car part, component or equipment. The Competitor shall take whatever steps are requested by NASCAR Officials for this purpose. NASCAR also has the right to seal or impound cars, car parts, components and/or equipment for this purpose); 12-4-Q (1): (car, car parts, components and/or equipment used that do not conform to NASCAR rules, detailed in Section 20A of the 2008 NASCAR Rule Book, or has not been approved by NASCAR prior to the event, or is not required for the normal functional operation of the race car, or has been altered to detract from or compromise its integrity or effectiveness, whether operational or not); 12-4-K: (when NASCAR Officials mandate inspection during the Event, if any car, car parts, components, and/or equipment which have been used in the Event are taken from the racing premises without permission of a NASCAR Official, or are tampered with by any member of the team or anyone associated with the team: Magnetic spacer attached under the gas pedal with the intent of compromising the chassis dynamometer test).

Both of the drivers – Joey Logano of the No. 18 and Tony Stewart of the No. 20 – have been penalized with the loss of 150 championship driver points and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31, 2008. Joe Gibbs, owner of both of the cars, has likewise been penalized 150 championship owner points for each of those entries.

Both crew chiefs – Jason Ratcliff of the No. 18 and Dave Rogers of the No. 20 – have been fined $50,000 and indefinitely suspended from NASCAR.

From the No. 18 team, car chief Dorian Thorsen; engine tuner Michael Johnson; and crew member Toby Bigelow have been placed on indefinite suspension from NASCAR. From the No. 20 team, car chief Richard Bray and engine tuner Dan Bajek have been indefinitely suspended from NASCAR.

In addition, the entire No. 18 and No. 20 NASCAR Nationwide Series teams have been placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31, 2008.

For more information, contact:

Kerry Tharp, NASCAR Public Relations

Well, I haven’t decided if this one’s good or bad yet.  This is especially close to my heart as I live in Kentucky so, this is my home track in essence.  Man, oh man….  Humpy retired yesterday and this was announced today, coincidence?  I can’t help but to think of North Wilkesboro and Rockingham when SMI purchased both of them.  We all know how well that one worked out for the pair of NC tracks.  North Wilkesboro sits in ruin and Rockingham was saved only last year from the dozers.  In the interest of being fair, I’ll reserve judgement until more info is known.  I’ll post the full press release below for your review. 

jc

Courtesy: Kentucky Speedway Media

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (May 22, 2008) – Speedway Motorsports, Inc. (NYSE:TRK) has agreed to purchase Kentucky Speedway from Kentucky Speedway, LLC. The agreement was announced today by O. Bruton Smith, founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Speedway Motorsports, Inc.  The acquisition is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2008.

 

Kentucky Speedway, which opened in 2000, hosts one NASCAR Nationwide Series event, one NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event, one IndyCar Series event and other racing events each year.  The speedway is located in Sparta, Ky., approximately one-half hour south of Cincinnati, Ohio. The speedway is easily accessible via modern highways.

 

Located on approximately 820 acres, Kentucky Speedway features a 1.5-mile tri-oval speedway, with chair-back grandstand seating for 66,089 spectators, 50 luxury suites with seats for approximately 2,000, 100 private RV spaces, 200 reserved camping spaces and 1,000 unreserved camping spaces. Kentucky Speedway regularly hosts near capacity crowds for its Nationwide Series events.

 

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our company to grow into a new market in a modern speedway facility. We continue to be committed to investing in the motorsports industry,” said Smith.

 

Smith added that he has offered Jerry Carroll, who was instrumental in the development of Kentucky Speedway, the opportunity to remain involved in its future operations.

 

Kentucky Speedway will join an outstanding lineup of SMI facilities. The company also owns and operates Atlanta Motor Speedway; Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tenn.; Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif.; Las Vegas Motor Speedway; Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C.; New Hampshire Motor Speedway, in Loudon, N.H.; and Texas Motor Speedway in Ft. Worth, Texas.

 

With this acquisition, the company will own race tracks in the West, Northeast, Midwest, Southeast and Southwest, including four of the nation’s top-10 metropolitan markets.

 

The breakdown includes: the sixth-largest market (Infineon/San Francisco); the fifth-largest market (Texas/Dallas-Ft. Worth); the seventh-largest market (New Hampshire/Boston); the ninth-largest market (Atlanta); the 24^th-largest market (Cincinnati); the 25^th-largest market (Lowe’s/Charlotte); the 41^st-largest market (Las Vegas); and the 92^nd-largest market (Bristol/Tri-Cities).

Courtesy: Macon Speedway Press Release

Macon Speedway  

PO Box 170                 Phone: 217-764-3000

Macon, IL  62544                      

APRIL 29, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

THIS WEEK AT MACON SPEEDWAY

$10,000 Big Ten Series/Kenny’s Car Giveaway

      The Chevrolet Late Models are back in action this Saturday night at Macon Speedway. Last week’s POWRi Midgets and Micros lit up the track, but it’s time to get back to chasing the elusive track championships. 

Saturday’s Cinco de Mayo festival will feature a jalapeno eating contest and free sombreros for the first 30 adults and the first 30 kids. Fans will also get their chance to win a Cadillac Deville in Kenny’s Car Giveaway and drive their prize home courtesy of Advantage Auto Sales.

      This week, Kyle Logue will have to finish near the front to defend his points lead over an improved Cory Daugherty from Blue Mound. Jeremy Nichols sits atop the BARBECK Communications Modifieds standings with tested veteran and defending track champion Jim Leka looming in the distance. Mike Pickering and Norm Wood are in a dogfight and tied in points for the Sportsman championship. Larry Russell Jr. finally broke out in the street stock class with a feature win and Joe Reed’s hornet winning streak is at three.

      Saturday’s racing will also include the next segment of the MidWest Big Ten Series. Logue’s Late Model won race number one and he’ll have to pull it off again to keep chasing that $10,000 prize. The MidWest Big Ten series is held in cooperation with Morgan County Speedway in Jacksonville.  New to Macon Speedway this Saturday night the AFCO KID Modz will come to town.  AFCO Kid Modz is a new racing series designed for kids who are geared toward racing.  The Kid Modz series features drivers whose age ranges from 10-18.

      Bring your cameras to Macon Speedway on May 10 where Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Army National Guard #88 show car will reside from 5 to 7p.m. Macon Speedway will also play host to the Tony Stewart Home Depot #20 show car on June 7.

      Macon Speedway is located 9 miles south of Decatur, IL on US 51 then .6 miles west on Andrews Street, then south on Wiles.  For more information, call 217-764-3000(track), 217-764-3220(information hotline)  Also visit www.maconracing.com or www.trackenterprises.com .

DARLINGTON, S.C. (April 29, 2008) – SPEED television personality Bob Dillner will serve as Grand Marshal for the fourth annual Darlington Hauler Parade on Wednesday, May 7 track officials announced today.
“We are extremely excited to have Bob be a part of the fourth annual Darlington Hauler Parade,” said track President Chris Browning. “Bob’s enthusiasm for NASCAR makes him a fan favorite and there are no better fans in NASCAR than those here in Darlington.”
Dillner is best known for his work covering NASCAR racing on various SPEED network programs including: NASCAR Victory Lane, NASCAR Live and The SPEED Report.
“I am really excited to be the Grand Marshal for the Darlington Hauler Parade,” said Dillner. “Darlington holds such a special place in NASCAR history, it is certainly one of my favorite tracks on the NASCAR circuit.”
A native of Huntington, Long Island, New York, Dillner got his start in racing at an early age following racer father to short tracks all over the Northeast. He began writing about racing for several trade publications such as Area Auto Racing News and Speedway Scene at the young age of 15.
Dillner moved to North Carolina in 1997 to pursue a career covering NASCAR and was hired by the SPEED network in 2002.
In addition to covering racing, Dillner is also an owner/driver in various forms of Super Late Model racing, the Pro Challenge Series and Legends Car racing with drivers Zach Stroupe and his daughter Meghan.
Don’t miss your chance to see another incredible finish at Darlington Raceway when the stars of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series take on the track “Too Tough to Tame” in the Dodge Challenger 500 on May 10, 2008. The racing action kicks off with the NASCAR Nationwide Series Diamond Hill Plywood 200 on May 9th. Order your tickets now by calling 1-866-459-RACE or logging onto http://www.racetickets.com.

Courtesy: Darlington Raceway Public Relations Press Release

Courtesy: Darlington Raceway Public Relations Press Release

DARLINGTON, S.C. (April 29, 2008) – Economic times are tough and tough times call for a trip to the track “Too Tough to Tame.”
Race fans looking for ways to spend their economic stimulus payments from the federal government need look no further than the Dodge Challenger 500 race weekend, May 8-10 at Darlington Raceway.
“Timing of the Dodge Challenger 500 could not be better for race fans,” said track President Chris Browning. “Stimulus funds began being transmitted from the Internal Revenue Service on April 28, just in time for race fans to get their tickets to the upcoming race weekend at Darlington Raceway.”
Fans who wish to spend some of their stimulus money at Darlington Raceway have plenty of options:
 
·         Tickets to the Dodge Challenger 500: Ticket prices start as low as $45 and great seats on the frontstretch are still available. Tickets to the mother of all race tracks make a great Mother’s Day gift.
 
·         Tickets to the Diamond Hill Plywood 200: Ticket prices start as low as $30 and get you admission for a full day of on-track activity. Each Friday ticket includes Sprint Cup Series practice, Sprint Cup and Nationwide qualifying and the excitement of Nationwide Series racing under the lights at Darlington – an amazing deal, all for only $30.
 
·         Darlington Raceway Stock Car Museum and NMPA Hall of Fame: Are you an old school NASCAR fan? We have got the answer for you; a trip to the Darlington Raceway Stock Car Museum and National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) Hall of Fame. The Darlington Raceway Stock Car Museum and NMPA are located just behind the Colvin grandstands at Darlington Raceway. Fans who tour the museum will be treated to some of the most legendary cars of NASCAR’s yesteryear, including the Plymouth Johnny Mantz drove to victory in the first Southern 500 in 1950. Fans can see all of this and much more for only $5.40.
 
·         Driver Gear: Still trying to get your wardrobe up-to-date with your driver’s new colors for 2008? Look no further than the gift shop at Darlington Raceway. The gift shop at Darlington Raceway can help get you outfitted in the latest driver apparel for your favorite driver. Located behind the Colvin grandstand, the Darlington Raceway gift shop carries all of the latest in driver apparel, die-cast and other novelty items to help you show your support for your favorite driver.
 
·         Darlington Stripe Zone: For fans looking for the ultimate Darlington Raceway experience look no further than the Darlington Stripe Zone. The pre-race Stripe Zone package includes: appearances by current Sprint Cup Series stars Clint Bowyer and Kasey Kahne, pre-race pit passes, a premium parking pass with each order, pre-race food and beverage, track souvenir, live entertainment, and additional giveaways. This package can be added to any grandstand ticket for the Dodge Challenger 500 for only $140.
 
Don’t miss your chance to see another incredible finish at Darlington Raceway when the stars of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series take on the track “Too Tough to Tame” in the Dodge Challenger 500 on May 10, 2008. The racing action kicks off with the NASCAR Nationwide Series Diamond Hill Plywood 200 on May 9th. Order your tickets now by calling 1-866-459-RACE or logging onto http://www.racetickets.com.

Courtesy: Texas Motor Speedway News Release

• Mario’s Ultimate Grilling Challenge Looking For Fans To Share Their Top Grilling Recipe

• Winner Tailgates With Batali, Ray And Enjoys VIP Race Package From TMS For The Dickies 500 NASCAR Weekend

FORT WORTH, Texas (April 29, 2008): “The Great American Speedway!” meets “The Great American Chefs!”

Two of America’s most prominent and recognized chefs – Mario Batali and Rachael Ray – will be among the sea of tailgaters that will converge on Texas Motor Speedway in November for the Dickies 500 NASCAR triple-header weekend.

Batali and Ray officially kicked off a promotion Monday in which one lucky fan that showcases their culinary skills will get the opportunity to tailgate with them in grand fashion prior to the Dickies 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race Nov. 2 at “The Great American Speedway!”

Mario’s Ultimate Grilling Challenge Sponsored by Viva ® Paper Towels is looking for fans to submit their best grilling recipe with a video demonstration through July 30 on the contest website, http://mariobatali.com/grillingcontest. Following the entry phase of the contest, select video recipes will be available for viewing on the website and give fans an opportunity to see how they may stack up to the competition while the judging is ongoing.

Seven quarterfinalists will be chosen by a select panel in September and their recipes will be posted on the website for site members to vote for and rank in order of preference. The top three entries after a two-week voting period will advance to the semifinal round. The grand-prize winner will be chosen by the panel in October and announced on The Rachael Ray Show.

The winner will then get the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to cook their winning recipe alongside Batali and Ray during a special tailgate party in the TMS infield. Also joining Batali and Ray for the festivities will be local Tim Love, a 2007 Iron Chef America champion and proprietor of the renowned Lonesome Dove Western Bistro in Fort Worth.

“We’re excited to have two of America’s most recognizable chefs visit us, and even more proud of the fact that Mario chose ‘The Great American Speedway!’ as the host site for such a special event,” Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage said. “This definitely takes
tailgating to another level.”

The winner and a guest will receive round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations for three nights, VIP ticket package to the Dickies 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race (Nov. 2) and the O’Reilly Challenge Nationwide Series race (Nov. 1), dinner for two at The Speedway Club, complimentary Speedway Club membership and a VIP pace car ride during the event weekend (winner only).

No purchase is necessary for fans to enter Mario’s Ultimate Grilling Challenge Sponsored by Viva® Paper Towels and the Food Bank For New York City will benefit from every entry. UNCLE BEN’S ® will donate $1 to the food bank for every entry (minimum of $5,000 and up to $20,000).