JENNERSTOWN SPEEDWAY PARTICIPATES IN “PENNSYLVANIA NASCAR DAY AT THE CAPITOL” FESTIVITIES

Jennerstown, PA (June 7, 2006) …Jennerstown Speedway received a warm reception at the State Capitol this Wednesday from Pennsylvania State Representative John Payne, Chairman of the State House’s Motorsports Caucus, in recognition of their participation in the inaugural ‘Pennsylvania NASCAR Day at the Capitol’ celebration. Rep. Payne organized the event, which celebrates the economic and fundamental values of NASCAR to Pennsylvania.

 “Pennsylvania is home to a huge NASCAR fan base and two Nextel Cup races. The Commonwealth also has benefited economically from the long-time investment of a range of corporations that are NASCAR sponsors,” Payne said. “Pennsylvania NASCAR Day at the Capitol officially acknowledges and celebrates NASCAR’s considerable impact on Pennsylvania.”

The event was highlighted by the appearance of three NASCAR Nextel Cup drivers, Bobby Labonte, David Stremme, and Elliott Sadler. All three drivers participated in a two hour autograph session for some of the estimated 6,000 fans in attendance. Along with the drivers were over a dozen of NASCAR Nextel Cup and Busch Series show cars on display for fans to get an up close view of these performance machines, including the No.8 Budweiser Chevrolet, No.1 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Chevrolet, No.29 Hershey Co. Chevrolet, No.07 Jack Daniels Cherolet, No.2 Miller Lite Dodge, No.11 FedEx/Kinko’s Chevrolet, No.16 National Guard Ford, No.40 Coors Light Dodge, and the No.88 UPS Ford.

Jennerstown Speedway’s Director of Sales Mike Milliron attended the event and participated in the activities by having their Pace Car on display for everyone to see, including the entire legislature which sat in recess for the afternoon festivities.

“Establishing an event such as the “Pennsylvania NASCAR Day at the Capitol” is an excellent opportunity for State officials to recognize the impact that NASCAR sanctioned facilities have in the overall economic development in Pennsylvania,” said Milliron. “The direct relationship between incoming travel and tourism dollars and positive visitor feedback plays a critical role in enhancing our ability to increase public awareness towards all of the activities which Pennsylvania has to offer.”    

Pocono Raceway officials were also on hand with their Official Pace Car, raffling two luxury skybox tickets to their June 11 “Pocono 500” race. Those fans in attendance were also eligible to receive one free ticket to the upcoming June 10 “Pocono 200” ARCA event. The festivities lasted from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. along Commonwealth Avenue outside the East Wing of the Capitol, which was closed down by Capitol Police for the event. Joseph Mattioli, chief executive officer and chairman of the board of Pocono Raceway, was on hand as one of the featured guests and honorees at Pennsylvania NASCAR Day at the Capitol.

“Hosting two major races at Long Pond since 1982 has provided an economic boon to the Pocono region, and that positive economic impact has rippled through the entire Commonwealth,’’ Payne said. “From that perspective, it is critical that Pocono Raceway always remain a stop on the NASCAR circuit.” This year’s “Pocono 500” will be held on Sunday, June 11. The “Pennsylvania 500” will be run on Sunday, July 23.

The Pennsylvania NASCAR Day at the Capitol was also sponsored by Sunoco, Goodyear, Pepsi, and Hershey’s Ice Cream. Additionally, the Pennsylvania Chapter of the Official NASCAR Members Club was on site to distribute applications to those who were interested.

“Over the past two decades, NASCAR’s popularity has exploded to the point that it is now arguably the most popular spectator sport in America,” Payne said. “Pennsylvania has played a significant role in the sport’s evolution and continues to be one of NASCAR’s hotbeds north of the Mason-Dixon Line. With Pennsylvania NASCAR Day at the Capitol, we want to promote Pennsylvania’s part in the NASCAR success story, while saluting the sport, its stars, and its fans.”