Valley of the Fire Canyons
Photos By:  Phil Cavali

There is more than racing and gambling in Las Vegas.  NASCAR photographer and Thehotlap.com editor for the Nationwide Series shares his photos with JB fans ....

Duel in the desert favors Stewart
As a MSNBC contributor, Johnny has selected Tony Stewart to win at the Las Vegas Speedway.  To view the complete article - Click Here.

Skinner Makes Las Vegas Race
Congratulations to Mike Skinner, Slugger Labbe and the #27 Toyota Camry for making the Las Vegas Sprint Cup Race.  All of the cars that needed to qualify for the race did so at the tail end of qualifying.  Skinner will start 5th in Sunday's race.

Joe Gibbs Racing #20 - Las Vegas Preview
Comments from Dave Rogers, Crew Chief

The No. 20 Old Spice Toyota that will compete in the Sam’s Town 300 was purposely built by Rogers for Stewart. Johnny Benson drove Chassis No. 2079 in pre-season testing at Las Vegas Jan. 30-31, where he posted the fastest time during the test’s final session (29.552 seconds at 182.729 mph) on the 1.5-mile oval.

Last year it seemed like it was real difficult for drivers and crew chiefs to get a handle on the proper setup to run well at Las Vegas. After your test there in January with Johnny Benson and with the track having a year to weather and mature, along with a different tire compound, what do expect this time around?  “It’s totally different. The tires changed, so we do have more grip and the track’s not as slick. The track has weathered and we’ve lost 80-85 horsepower because of the new Nationwide engine package. It’s all changed for the better. You can actually work on your race car and find speed or lose speed. I was very pleased at our Las Vegas test. Johnny Benson did an outstanding job for us. I think we have a pretty good setup that Tony will be happy with. We’re looking forward to it.”

How similar is Johnny Benson’s driving style to Tony Stewart’s?
“We haven’t done a back-to-back test with Johnny and Tony, but after the first day of our Las Vegas test, we actually put Kyle Busch in the car. I think Kyle has a similar driving style to Tony’s, and the comments were very similar. Johnny said the car was a little bit tight, but it’s good. And Kyle got out of the car and said, ‘Man, it’s a little bit tight, and if we had to race I’d like to free it up some.’ But for testing he thought it was really good. I think Johnny led us down the right path. I would’ve been alarmed if Johnny said the car was pretty neutral and Kyle got out of it and said that it was really tight or it’s really loose. But we didn’t have that and I think it’s going to be a good transition from Johnny to Tony.”  
Complete Press Release

Johnny in #27 Cup Car - Atlanta
By:  Jerry Bonkowski - Yahoo Sports

Bill Davis talked to Johnny Benson a few days ago and essentially asked him, "Hey, what are you doing two weekends from now?"  Benson replied that he had no plans.  That's a good thing because he'll wind up making a few extra bucks.  With Jacques Villeneuve's Sprint Cup future with Bill Davis Racing in limbo at best – if not totally over before it really got started – Davis has had to scramble to fill Villeneuve's seat in the No. 27 Toyota.

After being knocked out of this week's race due to rain (the qualifying field was set by last season's owner points – BDR did not have enough to make the race), Mike Skinner will attempt to qualify the unsponsored Camry next weekend at Las Vegas.  And then it's Benson's turn in Atlanta.   After that race, it's anybody's guess who will be in the car.

It could be Skinner, it could be Benson, or it could be someone else. Heck, Villeneuve – if he is able to bring some much-needed and substantial sponsorship dollars to the fold – might even be back in the car eventually. 

Because information has been hard to come by from the BDR camp, even Benson wonders what the heck's going on.  "That's what I'd like to know," he said. "You know, I don't know. The team has said the two of us are going to share it. Mike's going to run next week at Vegas, or attempt to, and I believe I'll be doing Atlanta. Right now, that's as far as I know what we're going to do. I believe Toyota Certified is possibly going to sponsor the car (at Atlanta). I don't know that for a fact, but they're working on it.

"I think there's a lot of questions right now as far as who's going to do it. I believe me and Mike are going to drive it for some races, for sure, but I think Jacques and them are working on some sponsorship opportunities and if they get that, I'm sure he'll be back."

Skinner and Benson are, in essence, helping Davis out in what has gone from an optimistic situation to a very uncertain future. That a world-class driver like Villeneuve, a former Indianapolis 500 winner and Formula One champion, could not attract sufficient sponsorship dollars for a high-profile NASCAR ride with BDR is disconcerting.

But there is a performance issue as well, that of continuity – or lack thereof – when different drivers are behind the wheel from one week to the next.   "Yeah, it is difficult," Benson acknowledged. "I think they should just put Mike in there in the first six, eight races and then give us an opportunity to run so it's not a switch week to week because that's very tough on a crew chief and it's very tough on communications. It's very hard to try to get ahead within those scenarios.

"But by the same token, both (himself and Skinner), along with a bunch of other people, are trying to run for the championship in the Truck Series, and we really don't want to take a tremendous amount of focus off that. I don't know if that's why it's being staggered the way it is."

After Atlanta, don't be surprised if Davis brings another driver or two into the mix, someone like a Jeff Green, Tony Raines or David Stremme – all who lost their Cup rides after last season (although Stremme is running a part-time slate in the Nationwide Series).  "Right now, I'm probably doing Atlanta, and Mike's probably going to run Vegas," Benson said. "That's as far as the information I know."

Truck Series on Fox Just Not the Same
By:  John Daly

The NASCAR on Fox gang produced the Craftsman Truck Series race live on Saturday afternoon from the California Speedway that aired on the Fox Network.

This was a hybrid announcing team consisting of Rick Allen, Phil Parsons and Darrell Waltrip. During the regular season Truck Series coverage on SPEED, DW's little brother Michael serves an the analyst. Down on pit road, Adam Alexander carried over from the SPEED package, but Ray Dunlap did not.

Matt Yocum stepped-in to fill that role, and Krista Voda also reported from the pits since there was no pre-race show on this telecast. Normally, Truck Series fans have become used to a well-produced thirty minute show called The Set-Up before each race. Voda has worked hard to make it a success, and often has memorable guests as co-hosts.  Complete Article

                     
NASCAR Eliminates Rookie Practice
for Truck & Nationwide Series
NASCAR has eliminated the rookie practice portion of its weekend schedule for Nationwide and Craftsman Truck Series teams. For the last two years, the Nationwide and truck rookies would get an extra practice (typically a half-hour session). They would get a set of tires specifically for that test session. Now, practice sessions have been increased by about 30 minutes for the entire field. But rookies get an extra set of tires for the race weekend. That extra set can only be used in practice. Rookie practice was implemented in 2006 when NASCAR put its new testing policy into effect. That policy forbids testing at tracks where the series competes in except for the official NASCAR tests. Before then, teams were limited in the number of tests but could test at whatever track they wanted, so teams with rookies often would take them to test where there was a steep learning curve. Both the Nationwide and the truck teams had at least three hours of practice scheduled for California this weekend.

Johnson is a Threat Out West
As a MSNBC contributor, Johnny has selected Jimmie Johnson to win at the California Speedway in Fontana, CA.  To view the complete article -
Click Here.

Qualifying Rained Out - JB Starts 3rd
It was a total rain out for NASCAR in all three series today in California.  The Craftsman Truck field is set by the 2007 point standings.  Johnny will be starting in 3rd.  The front row consists of Ron Hornaday and Mike Skinner./ 

2008 Paint Schemes
 

Based on the feedback from fan club members during the renewal process - there seems to be a burning desire for more information about watch happening in garage and fan stories.   So ... I thought I would try my hand at blogging. I've read some of the blogs off NASCAR.com and those writer just seem to write about what they see and hear ...
 

To see how my trip to Daytona went - click on these separate postings:

• 02-13-08 - AM

• 02-13-08 - PM       

I finally arrived in Tampa Wednesday night … Got off the tram and what did I see - a guy in a Tony Stewart jacket! I had to do a double take - where are all the Jr. fans???? It got even worse - he was wearing #20 crocs …

Thursday: I decided I had enough of traveling so I hung around Bradenton for the day and watch the truck activities on tv … Practice did not go well at all - so I glad I did not make the trip!  Thanks to the coverage on Speed, we saw how hard the #23 and #5 team were working to repair the body so I knew things would be under control when I got there …

Friday:  Headed to Daytona … Arrived when the streets were busy, but not unmanageable …

11:45 am: At credentials - things weren’t running smoothly so I had to make the call to JB for help. JB and Russ came out and got things rolling for me so I could get my access.

12:15 pm: We went to lunch at Ruby Tuesdays across from the track … We all had the salad bar and you could hear the fans - that’s Johnny Benson. The fans were great - they let JB eat lunch and respected his space. When we were getting up to leave, the guy in the booth behind us told JB to beat Sprague .. Other fans told him good luck tonight …

1:30 pm: Sitting in the infield in the motor home area. Russ catered to me - got the chair out for me so I could sit in the warm sun and see the action … The #23 team was allowed into the garage early to work on the truck .. Cup practice was on the track - it was great to hear the engines roar … Saw Butch Miller roaming around - he is helping one of the truck teams …

3:00 pm: Garage opens … Nationwide qualifying begins … I made my way to the garage around 3:30 pm to take pictures of the truck … The team was working to finalize the lettering.

Once they were done, they crew went to work in order to go through tech. All other trucks were impounded, so it was strange to see the lone truck just sitting there …

     4:30 pm: Rocky Ryan (JB’s spotter) and his wife are making their way through the garage. I was excited to see him because he is usually so busy with Cup, Nationwide and Truck practice that I rarely get a chance to talk to him. It was also nice to meet his wife …

4:45 pm: The Thunderbirds are practicing their stunts. I ducked the first time they came by because my back was to them - very loud!

5:00 pm: Still working on truck … Nascar officials come and go - telling them to get moving along in their process …  Templates are arriving at the truck - the officials are doing their measurements in pit stall .

5:15 pm: Kenny Schrader stops by to say hi … Shared good news with me that he is set to drive the #49 for the rest of the year …

5:30 pm: Some familiar Michigan faces stop by: Nick Fischer, Terry VanHaitsma, Mike Blackmer and others. They learned one valuable lesson in Daytona - regular back packs will not work - you need the see through kind. Racing electronics made out on that group! .....  Ran into Jeff Striegle - he is again working for MRN this season ….

5:45 pm: Nice to see Dawn G. the Exide rep at the track. Even though Exide was not the primary sponsor - it’s always good to see their support!

6:00 pm: Truck is finally pushed to the back of the impound line … Officials continue to tech the truck … Team scrambles to eat … Then the series of meetings begin …

7:00 pm: Johnny changes into driving suit … The music is blaring in the transporter as they guys get their uniforms on … The back of the transporters are filled with people: Owners, sponsors, crew and family members.

7:30 pm: On the front stretch for driver introductions … I head to JB’s truck in hopes of capturing the perfect photo of the month. The lights are against me, along with the number of photographers hovering around.

7:45 pm: A familiar face joins me at the truck - Drew Brown, JB’s friend and old PR person let me know that he’s going to hang out for the race - which is comforting to me …

8:00 pm: JB looks over truck - seems ready to go … I tell him to have fun … National Anthem plays, then the security guard blows his whistle to inform us to leave pit road … I wave goodbye to JB and begin to pray for a safe race …

The rest of the story will be in the newsletter …. I hope you enjoyed my Daytona experience … This wasn’t as hard to write as I thought it would be - since I do not have to limit my ramblings - nor do I have to try and make sense …  Until next time .. Go JB!

Johnny and Scott Lagasse talk  about the start of the race and their hopes of working together in the draft	Kyle Busch and Johnny talk  about their finishes after the race

Track Show Begins
Daytona is only six days away and Berlin's opening night is in less than two months!  The Trackside Show starts tomorrow!   Join us at Shots Grill, Pizzeria and Pub, 4239 Lake Michigan Drive in Standale on Tuesday, February 12th from 6 to 7 p.m.  The show will be broadcast live on WLAW 92.5 FM The Outlaw.

Door prizes, food specials, the tire giveaway (two tires will be given each week to a driver in attendance via random drawing).   Don't miss the first Trackside Show of the 2008 season!
 

Daytona 500 Watch Party!

Berlin Raceway and 97.9 WGRD are teaming up to throw a Daytona 500 Watch Party in the Pepsi Stadium Club at Fifth Third Ballpark!  Doors open at 2 p.m. (race starts at 3:30). Only 200 fans will be allowed in and admission is free! $1 draft beer from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Register to win great prizes all day including racing gear from Cat Footwear, Berlin Raceway and if you pick the top three finishers you could win tickets to the June MIS Race!

JBFC Annual Contests
Attention Fan Club members:  The deadline for your entries into the 2008 JBFC annual contests is  this week.  All submissions must be postmarked Thursday, February 14th.

 

Congrats - BDR Teammate Wins ARCA Race
Michael Annett, making his first appearance at Daytona International Speedway, drove away from the field and held off Justin Allgaier by 0.256 seconds to win Saturday’s season opener in the Automobile Racing Club of America series.  The win is the second in ARCA for Annett, 21, with Bill Davis Racing. He also won last fall’s race at Talladega, Ala. Annett plans to run between 10 and 12 ARCA events with BDR this season and perhaps some NASCAR events later this year.
 

Sad News - Gerald Kulwicki
Mr. Kulwicki, age 78, of Charlotte and Milwaukee, WI passed away Friday, February 8, 2008 at home. Funeral service will be held in Milwaukee later next week. Bruskiewitz Funeral home is assisting the family.  Survivors his wife, Mrs. Thelma Buchanan Kulwicki. He was preceded in death by two sons, Alan Kulwicki and Kenny Kulwicki.

Toyota Provides Entertainment
Fan interactive displays have become an integral part of the NASCAR fan's pre-race ritual as sponsors look to entertain customers who arrive hours before each race. Toyota is no exception. When visiting a NASCAR track in 2008, race fans should be sure to visit Toyota's interactive displays, "PitPass" and "Toyota Live."

Returning for its second season, Toyota's PitPass is a mobile marketing display that will travel to the majority of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events and selected NASCAR Nationwide Series races.  Incorporated with the 8,000 square-foot display, a full-sized Toyota Tundra, rotating on a tower 25 feet above the ground, will welcome fans to the footprint. A large stage within the display will be home to various types of entertainment, including on-stage fan contests and appearances by Toyota drivers.

Fans are free to roam the display or may register to become official PitPass members, which allow them to experience a variety of activities, including NASCAR motion simulators, the "Gas & Go" interactive game and a robotic cut-away version of Tony Stewart's No. 20 Home Depot Toyota Camry.  Renowned artist Kenny Youngblood will be at select events to give fans personalized drawings of NASCAR Toyota Camrys. For those seeking more "personal" art, PitPass features a tattoo booth providing temporary Toyota-themed body art.

Another unique feature of PitPass is an area that will allow race fans to stow their belongings. Fans not wanting to lug their backpacks, race gear or souvenir purchases around the track all day can take advantage of "FanSpace", a storage area for belongings open until an hour after the race.  In addition to the PitPass display, Toyota Live is an interactive display that will entertain race fans at select events throughout the year.

There is always plenty of energy at Toyota Live, as an emcee keeps fans involved in various games, driver appearances and music on stage - which just happens to be shaped like the bed of a massive Toyota Tundra. With driver appearances and games testing fans' knowledge of their favorite Toyota drivers, fans can participate in a variety of interactive displays.  One particularly popular display is the Toyota "Burnout." Fans earn a chance to experience something usually reserved for the race winner - an opportunity to perform a nose-in, tire "burn-out" in an authentic Camry stock car.

For those fans that enjoy camping during race weekends or bring their motor homes to the track, the Toyota Live street teams will be looking to make a visit. Themed "Frozen Tundras" make their way through the campgrounds delivering free ice to fans for those hot summer days.

2008 PitPass Interactive Display Schedule
2/9.........Daytona Beach, FL
2/14.......Daytona Beach, FL
2/17.......Daytona Beach, FL
2/24.......Fontana, CA
3/16.......Bristol, TN
3/22.......Nashville, TN*
3/30.......Martinsville, VA
4/27.......Talladega, AL
5/3.........Richmond, VA
5/10.......Darlington, SC
5/17.......Charlotte, NC
5/25.......Charlotte, NC
6/1.........Dover, DE
6/7.........Nashville, TN*
6/15.......Brooklyn, MI
6/22.......Sonoma, CA
7/5.........Daytona Beach, FL
7/19.......St. Louis, MO*
7/27.......Indianapolis, IN
8/10.......Watkins Glen, NY
8/17.......Brooklyn, MI
8/23.......Bristol, TN
9/21.......Dover, DE
9/28.......Kansas City, KS
10/5.......Talladega, AL
10/11.....Charlotte, NC
10/19.....Martinsville, VA
11/9.......Phoenix, AZ
*Denotes NASCAR Nationwide Series as Lead Event
 

Remember When - John Sr. Racing Days
By:  Barb Benson
The good ole days of racing at Berlin Raceway when you heard the name Johnny Benson and your thoughts immediately went to one of the greatest innovators of the local racing world.  Those days the infield was field with Michigan greats Bob Senneker and Ed Howe.  Fan Club member, Steve Greene remembers those days.  His favorite driver was John Benson Sr. and he dedicated hours to building a model of his favorite car.  Steve read the "Remember When" columns and thought he would share his pictures with us!

Photos By:  Steve Greene
         

Benson Tops Final Test Session in Vegas
#20-Johnny Benson [Toyota] was again the fastest driver in testing at Las Vegas Motors Speedway on Thursday. His fast lap in the afternoon session was 182.457mph. #38-Jason Leffler [Toyota] was second, #66-Steve Wallace [Chevy] third #22-Mike Bliss [Dodge] fourth and #47-Kelly Bires [Ford] fifth. 36 cars participated in the final session. The first and only accident of the two-day Nationwide Series test occurred today at 1:30 p.m. when #5-Landon Cassill crashed in Turn 4. He was not injured.


Benson Leads Thursday Morning Testing
#20-Johnny Benson [Toyota] testing for Joe Gibbs Racing was fastest in the morning test session at Las Vegas Thursday. His top speed was 182.729mph. The rest of the top 5 were #25-Bobby Hamilton, Jr. [Ford], #9-Chase Miller [Dodge], #66-Steve Wallace [Chevy], and #88-Brad Keselowski [Chevy]. 41 cars took to the track.


Busch Paces 1st Day of Testing
Johnny 2nd
Kyle Busch led the first day of Nationwide Series testing Wednesday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, turning a lap of 181.757 in Joe Gibbs Racing's No. 18 Toyota.   Busch edged Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Johnny Benson, who went 181.311 in the team's No. 20 Camry. Sam Hornish Jr. (Penske Racing) was third at 180.983. Fourth-fastest Wednesday was Jason Leffler (Braun Racing), with Mark Martin (JR Motorsports) fifth.
 

2008 Broadcast Schedule Announced:
The 2008 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series schedule of 25 races has been revised. Kentucky Speedway's previously announced race of Saturday, July 12 has been rescheduled for Saturday, July 19. The switch resolves a conflict with the July 12 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Chicagoland Speedway that in past years was held on Sunday afternoon, but becomes a Saturday night race in 2008.

The NCTS returns to SPEED for a sixth consecutive season, beginning with the season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 15 at 8:00pm/et. The season culminates at Homestead-Miami Speedway with the Nov. 14 running of the Ford 200 at 8:00pm/et. SPEED will carry 23 races this season. For the second consecutive season, FOX will broadcast two NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series events. The first will be at California Speedway on Feb. 23 at 3:00pm/et. The race is part of the first-ever NASCAR "double header" involving the Craftsman Truck Series and the Nationwide Series. Both series will race on Feb. 23 at California (the NNS race will be televised on ESPN2 at 7:00pm/et). FOX will also broadcast the March 29 NCTS race at Martinsville Speedway at 3:00pm/et.(NASCAR Media)
 

Testing in Las Vegas
NASCAR Nationwide Series testing underway at the superspeedway
Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Testing now is underway for the NASCAR Nationwide Series (formerly known as the NASCAR Busch Series) at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Nationwide Series testing will continue through 5 p.m. Thursday.

Drivers scheduled to participate include: Johnny Sauter, Brandon Miller, Clint Bowyer, Landon Cassill, David Ragan, Auggie Vidovich, Mike Wallace, Chase Miller, Sam Hornish, Todd Souza, Greg Biffle, Colin Braun, Jamie McMurray, Erik Darnell, Kyle Busch, Casey Atwood, Johnny Benson, Bobby Labonte, Stephen Leicht, Mike Bliss, Bobby Hamilton, Jr., Brad Coleman, Jeff Burton, Scott Wimmer, Brian Vickers, Kevin Harvick, Cale Gale, Brad Baker, Jason Leffler, Kevin Hamlin, Bryan Clauson, Kelly Bires, Marcose Ambrose, Carl Edwards, Burney Lamar, David Stremme, Steve Wallace, Brad Keselowski, David Reutimann, Todd Bodine, Jason Keller and Johnny Borneman.

Congratulations
Bill Davis Racing's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Phillip McGilton and his wife Mandi announce the addition of their fourth girl today.  Presley Jade McGilton was born January 30, 2008 at 9:20 CST.  She weighed in at 8lbs and 1oz, 20 inches long.   Presley joins the overjoyed couples three other children Kylie, Shealah and Trinity.


Milwaukee Mile Launches New Website
The Milwaukee Mile, the oldest active motor speedway in the world, announced today the launch of a newly designed website at www.milwaukeemile.com.

The new site is easier to navigate for the user, with more vibrant photos and images reflective of the diverse national championship auto racing held at America’s Legendary Oval.

With the historic speedway’s expanded menu of ticket packaging options for 2008 including the $99 NASCAR Track Pack and the recently announced CLUB 4 all-you-can-eat section, race fans will be able to consider their options 24/7 in a fan-friendly layout, with a consistent look for each of the events held at The Mile.

Event schedules, updates and stories will continually be added to increase awareness and interest in The Milwaukee Mile’s 2008 racing season, which starts in earnest with the ABC Supply / A.J. Foyt 225 IndyCar Series weekend May 31 - June 1.

“We’re really pleased with a noticeable upgrade in our website, which we hope will be a destination for our loyal fans to receive pertinent information, exciting offers, and information on the world-class drivers and teams that will be competing at The Milwaukee Mile,” commented the speedway’s chairman Craig Stoehr.

“We also embrace our 105 years of rich auto racing history, and will continue to enhance our heritage through our new website through captivating photos and stories for fans of all ages to re-live and enjoy,” Stoehr said.
 

Date Change for Kentucky Race
Kentucky Speedway has adjusted its 2008 schedule and will now play host to its ARCA RE/MAX Series “Kentucky 150” and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series “Built Ford Tough 225 Presented by the Greater Cincinnati Ford Dealers” events July 18 and 19.

The events were originally scheduled July 11 and 12. Dates were changed to best accommodate NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series broadcast agreements with SPEED Channel.

“This adjustment provides us a great opportunity to place our July ARCA RE/MAX Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series events in an even stronger national spotlight as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will not compete that weekend. We thank Ford, the Greater Cincinnati Ford Dealers, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA RE/MAX Series and SPEED Channel officials for partnering with us to help gain the maximum exposure for our July race events,” Kentucky Speedway Executive Vice President and General Manager Mark F. Cassis said.

All single-event and season tickets previously sold for both July races will be honored on the new dates. The ARCA RE/MAX Series “Kentucky 150” will take the green flag at 8:00 p.m., July 18 and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series “Built Ford Tough 225 Presented by the Greater Cincinnati Ford Dealers” will begin at 7:00 p.m., the following evening.

"We're pleased to cooperate with Kentucky Speedway, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and Speed Channel in moving our event date to July 18," said ARCA President Ron Drager. "We have great relationships with all three entities and this kind of lead time allows everyone associated with the ARCA RE/MAX Series to plan for July 18."

The six-weekend Kentucky Speedway season will open May 10 with the ARCA RE/MAX Series "Drive Smart. Buckle-Up Kentucky 150.” The 150-mile street stock "Frank Kimmel Enduro Nationals II Presented by Harley-Davidson of Cincinnati and the Thoroughbred Harley-Davidson Shop of Florence Kentucky" will be held May 24 and will be followed by a June 14 visit from the NASCAR Nationwide Series for the "Meijer 300 Presented by Oreo." The July race weekend will precede the Aug. 9 "Meijer Indy 300" and Indy Pro Series “Kentucky 100” events. The season will come to a thunderous close Sept. 20 when the Major League of Monster Trucks races its high-horsepower machines side-by-side through an obstacle-filled, custom-designed dirt track on the speedway infield. Each main event will include a concert with a nationally-known artist. The concert schedule will be announced a future date. The track also will play host to Fanfest events June 13 and Aug. 8 during which fans will be able to tour garage areas, participate in race-related family activities and receive autographs from their favorite competitors.

Single-race tickets are on sale now and can be reserved online at http://www.kentuckyspeedway.com  or by phone at 888-652-RACE (7223). Fans also can visit any Meijer store or the Kentucky Speedway ticket offices at 200 Buttermilk Pike, Suite 100 in Ft. Mitchell, Ky., next to Montgomery Inn or the speedway Fan Center off of I-71 Exit 57 and Ky. Hwy. 35 in Sparta, Ky. Season race plans also are available now and can be reserved by phone at 859-578-2300, online through the Kentucky Speedway Web site or through track ticket offices.