CHiPs To Entertain at Irwindale Opener

Irwindale, Calif. - - As a adjunct to their statewide officer recruitment drive, the southern division (L.A. County) of the California Highway Patrol will stage a special Opening Night pre-race precision driving demonstration featuring five CHP highway cruisers making 10 fast laps on the fast Irwindale Speedway oval.

A Mustang, Camaro, Chevy Caprice, and two Ford Crown Victorias will form a five-car flying wedge shape with cars dropping out and rejoining the formation as the laps roll on. The drivers are all everyday working CHP officers who have volunteered their time to promote officer recruitment.

Officers Gretchen Jacobs, Heather Mangus, Mark Garrett, Charles Deville, Kerry Stockwell, and Sergeant Rob Lund will be behind the wheel(s), with the Mustang piloted either by Lund or Stockwell.

In addition to the on-track driving show, the California Highway Patrol will have a wide selection of the "tools of their trade" on display from a complete mobile command center to marked and unmarked vehicles and all the latest and hottest of CHP motorcycles. All of the precision drivers will be available to meet the public after their on track exhibition. (This is going be one time when you might actually want a CHP officer's "autograph".)

CHP officer candidates should be between 21 and 31, in good health and interested in an active life dedicated to service of community. Their official slogan "Public Safety and Service" says it best.

Opening Night 2000 at Irwindale Speedway will feature a full compliment of NASCAR action and excitement with four divisions of stock cars all racing on the same evening. A 100-lap main event "The Home Depot 100 for Super Late Models" with a $15,000 purse will be a highlight of the night. Tickets for Opening Night (and for all of the Speedway's 2000 season events) are on sale now in three convenient ways: at the track's on-site box office Tuesday - Saturday, by phone at (626) 358-1100, and on the world wide web at: Tickets.com.