WDW Entries Mailed 96-12- 17

CHEVY TRUCKS CHALLENGE ENTRIES MAILED; MORE THAN 50 EXPECTED FOR JAN. 19 SERIES SEASON OPENER

ORLANDO, FLA., December 17, 1996 -- Drivers in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will compete for a share of $525,955 in posted awards for the season-opening Jan. 19 Chevy Trucks Challenge at Walt Disney World Speedway. The winner's share of the 200-lap, 200-mile event is listed on entry blanks mailed today as $52,150. The posted awards total is the second highest in series history.

More than 50 teams are expected to make the trip to vie for 32 spots in the starting lineup, plus up to four provisionals. The weekend will start with a Hauler Parade on Thursday, Jan. 16, to enter the one-mile oval adjacent to the Magic Kingdom. Practice is scheduled 10 a.m.-Noon and 1-3 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 17. Qualifying order will be drawn at a special reception at 8 p.m. that night at Pleasure Island on the Walt Disney World grounds. Official practice is scheduled 10 a.m.-Noon on Saturday, Jan. 18, with time trials to determine the first 32 spots in the starting field beginning at 2 p.m.. A final half-hour practice will follow qualifying.

The Chevy Trucks Challenge is scheduled for broadcast live on ESPN at 12 p.m. (EST) on Sunday, Jan. 19. A total of 53 trucks -- a series record for an open test -- turned out Dec. 3-4 for the first sessions at the track. NASCAR Winston Cup veteran Joe Nemechek was the fastest of the two days with a lap at 127.731 miles per hour in a Chevrolet. Butch Miller's Ford and Kelly Denton's Dodge were next quickest at 126.862.

For ticket information on the Chevy Trucks Challenge or the Jan. 25 Indy 200 at Walt Disney World Presented by Aurora, call 1-800-822-INDY. Tickets are also on sale at Race Rock, 8986 International Drive in Orlando (I-4 to Sand Lake Road exit).