Charlotte Motor Speedway news 2010-10-11

Bank of America 500 Week News Updates from Charlotte Motor Speedway

CONCORD, N.C. (Oct. 11, 2010) - Just a few days remain until the 51st running of the Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway and there is so much more than just the on-track activity to get fans excited. Below is a listing of some of the fan activities scheduled each day for Bank of America 500 Week.

Fan Guide to Fun Highlights Bank of America 500 Race Activities To enhance the fan experience during race week, Charlotte Motor Speedway officials have created a Fan Guide to Fun for race week events. The Fan Guide to Fun provides information on driver appearances, concerts, sponsor displays, pre-race infield activities and much more. The guide is available online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/fanguidetofun and the brochure will be available at the track welcome center and information booths during race week.

Tuesday
NASCAR Night at zMAX Dragway at 5 p.m.

NASCAR Night returns to zMAX Dragway on Tuesday. Fans are invited to come see NASCAR drivers, team owners, crew chiefs and team members compete on the concrete quarter-mile at the Bellagio of drag strips. Fans can show a ticket to the upcoming Bank of America 500 at the zMAX Dragway gate and receive free admission. Adult tickets are available at the gate for just $5 and kids are free. All proceeds from ticket sales will go to Speedway Children's Charities. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. and racing begins at 5 p.m.

Wednesday
Nationwide Series Next-Generation Car Practice from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Danica in Dollar General 300 Field

Fans will have the opportunity to see their favorite NASCAR Nationwide Series drivers in action, including Indy Racing League driver Danica Patrick, for free at Charlotte Motor Speedway during the NASCAR Nationwide Series next-generation car practice day on Wednesday. Charlotte Motor Speedway's frontstretch grandstand will be open free of charge from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Drivers and teams will break for lunch from 1-2 p.m. Fans should enter through Gate 5A, located next to the main ticket office. This location will also have open concession stands for fans to purchase lunch and snacks. Patrick will be among the drivers participating in the practice, which will feature the Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger, Toyota Camry and Chevy Impala next-generation cars preparing for the Dollar General 300 on Friday, Oct. 15 at 8 p.m. The event will be the last of four "preview" races for the new Nationwide Series cars before they are fully implemented for the 2011 season.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Driver Autograph Session at 5 p.m. The world's best late model drivers will be in the spotlight as "The Greatest Show on Dirt" returns to The Dirt Track at Charlotte for the World of Outlaws Late Model Showdown Wednesday night. Before the racing action gets underway drivers will participate in an autograph session from 5 to 5:45 p.m. on the main concourse. Among the more than 40 drivers expected to participate include Darrell Lanigan, Josh Richards, Ken Schrader, Scott Bloomquist, Shane Clanton, Steve Francis, Chub Frank and Tim McCreadie. Gates open at 5 p.m. Hot laps start at 6 p.m. and opening ceremonies begin at 6:50 p.m. The World of Outlaws Late Model Showdown is scheduled to start at 8:45 p.m.

Thursday
Fans Can Participate in Bojangles' Pole Night at 7:10 p.m.

On Thursday night, Oct. 14, Charlotte Motor Speedway officials will randomly select fans in attendance at Bojangles' Pole Night to wave the green flag during NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying for the Bank of America 500 Saturday. Qualifying is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.

Friday
Nationwide Series Stars Autograph Session at 1 p.m.

Fans will get their chance to meet tomorrow's stars of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series on Friday at 1 p.m. during the NASCAR Nationwide Series Driver Autograph Session. Drivers will be located on pit road to the right of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series garage and fans with a Dollar General 300 or Bank of America 500 ticket should enter through Gate 1 for the autograph session. The session is limited to the first 500 fans. Confirmed drivers include Justin Allgaier, Michael Annett, Brad Coleman, Marc Davis, Brendan Gaughan, Carl Long, Robert Richardson, Jr. , Reed Sorenson, Ryan Truex and Kenny Wallace.

Saturday
Speedway Children's Charities Track Walk at 10 a.m.

Fans will have the opportunity to see Charlotte Motor Speedway like never before on Saturday at 10 a.m. before the Bank of America 500 during Speedway Children's Charities annual Track Walk. Donations for participating in the Track Walk can be made online for $25 in advance or $35 at Charlotte Motor Speedway during race week, Oct. 13-16. Online registration is available at http://charlotte.speedwaycharities.org/events/nascar_foundation_walk/.

"PRN Up To SPEED" at 4 p.m.
"PRN Up To SPEED," the popular free fan Q-and-A session with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers, will take place at the SPEED stage, located at the speedway's main entrance, from 4 to 4:30 p.m., prior to the Bank of America 500 on Saturday. Several NASCAR stars are expected to join personalities from the Performance Racing Network for the session.

Sunday
Ticket Renewal Breakfast with Larry MacReynolds and Kenny Wallace at 9 a.m. Free Richard Petty Driving Experience Ride with $500 Renewal The morning after the Bank of America 500, fans are welcome to stop by the Charlotte Motor Speedway ticket office for breakfast and have the chance to renew their 2011 tickets or upgrade or renew their Victory Lane Club membership. The coffee and donut breakfast that starts at 9 a.m. and SPEED personalities Larry MacReynolds and Kenny Wallace will be on hand to meet and greet fans at 10 a.m. Fans who renew $500 in tickets, camping and/or pit passes on Sunday will receive a three-lap ride along from the Richard Petty Driving Experience.

Ride-Alongs from Richard Petty Driving Experience at Noon
Fans in town for Bank of America 500 Week who want to experience Charlotte Motor Speedway up close can participate in a ride-along with the Richard Petty Driving Experience. Each ride-along participant will receive three laps in a NASCAR Sprint Cup-style stock car at speeds approaching 160 mph. The cars will be driven by professional Richard Petty Driving Experience instructors. Ride-alongs take place Sunday, Oct. 17 from noon to 6 p.m. The ride-alongs are open to the public and are $149. To make a reservation, call 1-800-BE-PETTY.

Tickets for all October races at Charlotte Motor Speedway can be purchased online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or by calling the speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267). The Bank of America Fan 4 Pack includes tickets, hot dogs and Coca-Cola drinks starting at just $39.75 per person.

-source: cms