New Pit Pass rules for California Speedway

Special Pit Pass Rules in Effect for the Inaugural "Finish Under the Lights" Pop Secret 500 Weekend

FONTANA, Calif. (August 3, 2004) --- California Speedway recently announced enhancements to its NASCAR Pit Pass which will go into effect for the Inaugural "Finish Under the Lights" Pop Secret 500 weekend. Access is limited to Pit only for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series event weekend, as there will be no garage/paddock access on this weekend.

The biggest change involves the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race day on September 5. Pit road will be open to everyone, regardless of age, on race day Sunday. Guests can peruse the pits dressed for the warm weather in shorts, tank tops and sandals as the dress code has been relaxed for Sunday. Gates open at 11 a.m. and pit road will close approximately 60 minutes (2:30 p.m.) prior to the start of the Pop Secret 500. On Sunday, while pit road is open, the grass adjacent to pit road and the start/finish line will be open for guests to relax and have lunch on.

"We encourage race goers to come dressed for the warm Southern California weather that is expected for the Pop Secret 500," California Speedway President Bill Miller said. "It's not only a great opportunity for hard core race fans but this adds to the tremendous family atmosphere of California Speedway."

Regular pit pass rules will apply for Friday and Saturday's action. For those days, the minimum age requirement is 18 years of age. For safety reasons, guests must wear shirt and closed-toe shoes; shoulders and legs must be covered and no shorts will be allowed.

Pit road will open at 7 a.m., when the gates open on Friday and Saturday. Pit road will close at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 4, 60 minutes before the start of the NASCAR Busch Series Target House 300.

On Friday, pit road will remain open all day allowing guests to watch NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and NASCAR Busch Series practice and qualifying from the pit area. Though it is not guaranteed, many drivers spend time on pit road immediately prior to or following their qualifying runs. Guests can solicit autographs and get great photographs from pit road.

Guests may use the tunnel entrance at Gate 18 near Turn 4 to access the infield and pit road during the course of the weekend. For Sunday, three crossover gates will be opened at pit-in, start/finish line and pit exit for guests to crossover the racing surface quickly to and from the grandstands. The crossover gates will close immediately following the closure of the pits 60 minutes before the race is scheduled to start.

Weekend pit passes are $45 and can only be used in conjunction with either a grandstand ticket or infield wristband. Tickets are still available for the Inaugural "Finish Under the Lights" Pop Secret 500. Friday's tickets are general admission and cost $10 and include access to the infield for SPEED Channel's Trackside Live. Saturday's Target House 300 tickets are $40 for lower level and $50 for upper level seating and include access into the infield following the race for the Miller Lite Rock 'n Racing Concert. Sunday's "Finish Under the Lights" Pop Secret 500 tickets are $65 for lower level and $105 for upper level seating.

POP SECRET 500 WEEKEND QUICK GLANCE OF PIT RULES

Friday and Saturday
     Minimum Age 18
     Shoulders and legs must be covered
     No Shorts
     No Open-toed shoes
     Pits stay open all day Friday
     Pits will close on Saturday 60 minutes before the start of the Target House 300
     Gates open at 7 a.m. Sunday
     No age requirement
     No dress code
     Pits will close 60 minutes before the start of the Pop Secret 500
     Gates Open at 11 a.m.

Pit Pass Price: $45 - must accompany a grandstand ticket or infield admission wristband. To purchase call 800-944-RACE [7223].

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