Charlotte LMS All-Star news 2009-05-14

New Amenities and Happenings at Lowe's Motor Speedway For the 25th Running of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race

CONCORD, N.C. (May 14, 2009) - May Race Weeks have arrived and Lowe's Motor Speedway is gearing up for the 25th running of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race with new fan amenities as well as special events.

The Nationwide Insurance Fan Pit Stop

Nationwide is partnering with Lowe's Motor Speedway to help race fans have the best possible experience by hosting The Nationwide Insurance Fan Pit Stop. The massive tents Located across from Gate 7 and in the souvenir lot at the intersection of Hwy. 29 and Bruton Smith Blvd. In the morning, fans can get a breakfast biscuit and coffee for just $2 and for lunch a sandwich and beverage will be available for the same low price. The tent will open at 7:00 a.m. on the morning of the 50th running of the Coca-Cola 600 and close at the start of the race. On all other event days the Nationwide tent will open one hour prior to the gates and serve food through the start of each race including the 25th running of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.

Lowe's Motor Speedway's Fans First Welcome Center presented by Nationwide Race fans visiting Lowe's Motor Speedway during May Race Weeks will be able to stop by the Fans First Welcome Center presented by Nationwide and get all their race related questions answered by LMS employees. The Welcome Center will provide fans with maps, schedules, refreshments and the opportunity to rent the NASCAR Sprint FanView. This is a great place for first time fans to learn about the speedway and its many amenities. The Welcome Center will open three hours prior to the gates on race days and close at the start of each race.

Lowe's Motor Speedway Fan Appreciation Crew

The Lowe's Motor Speedway Fan Appreciation Crew will be cruising the campgrounds in a Toyota Tundra Pace Truck passing out apparel and souvenirs to the campers on speedway property Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 24.

Seeing Stars

Race fans will be seeing stars when they attend the 25th running of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Celebrities attending the Saturday night race include: 16-time heavy weight world wrestling champion Ric Flair, recording artists Kenny Lattimore and Jessie James, New England Patriots wide receiver and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team owner Randy Moss, Academy Award Winner Kevin Costner and country music duo Montgomery Gentry.

Going Gold

The retaining walls at Lowe's Motor Speedway will be gold this year in honor of the speedway's 50 years of racing. A crew of eight painted the walls this week using 800 gallons of paint and a process called "fogging" to do the job. More than 190 man hours will be put in to help ensure the walls are gold before cars go on track Friday.

10 Laps of Excitement

This year the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race format has changed, ending the race with an exciting 10-lap shootout once again. Most of the speedway's best All-Star finishes occurred during a 10-lap finale, including: 1987 - Dale Earnhardt's "Pass in the Grass." Dale Earnhardt held off Bill Elliott while holding on to his car as it slid through the infield grass to win the All-Star Race. 1989 - "Tide Slide" Rusty Wallace spun Darrell Waltrip off of Turn 4 to take the win. 1992 - Earnhardt wrecked in Turn 3 leaving Kyle Petty and Davey Allison to sprint to the checkered flag. The two wrecked at the finish line with Allison edging Petty, but instead of Victory Lane, he went to the hospital with minor injuries. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the All-Star Race as a rookie in a 10-lap shootout in 2000. The All-Star Race is run in four segments equaling 100 laps with the race winner guaranteed $1 million.

Pass Time

Pass Time is the ultimate drag racing game show. It will host NASCAR drivers, owners, crew chiefs and regional racers for two days of taping at zMAX Dragway, May 19-20. The event will give race fans the chance to watch NASCAR drivers compete at the "Bellagio" of drag strips. Gates open at 3 p.m. and tickets are just $10 for adults with children 12 and under admitted for free.

Lowe's Motor Speedway is the home of NASCAR's biggest back-to-back weekends with the 25th running of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race and the 50th Coca-Cola 600. Ticket packages for both events are available through the Lowe's Motor Speedway ticket office by calling 1-800-455-FANS or online at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com.

-credit: lms