Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Qualifier Slated for Sonoma Raceway

World Champion Joey Chestnut on Hand to Oversee Event

SONOMA, Calif. (June 2, 2015) – For the second consecutive year, world champion Joey Chestnut will be on hand to oversee a regional qualifier for the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest during the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Sonoma Raceway.

This year’s battle for hot dog eating supremacy will take place at the raceway on Sunday, June 28, in the Wine Country Winner’s Circle at 10 a.m.

“Joey Chestnut and Matthew Stonie—the world’s #1- and #2-ranked eaters, respectively—both hail from Northern California,” said Major League Eating Emcee Sam Barclay. “No one knows why this region has emerged as the nation’s richest pool of eating talent, but at the Sonoma qualifier we hope to unearth America's next great gurgitator.”

The top male and female finishers from this event will qualify for a seat at the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island on July 4, where they will face reigning champions Chestnut and Miki Sudo, who also took top honors at Sonoma Raceway last year.

“The Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest was a highlight of our NASCAR weekend last year, and we’re delighted to bring this entertaining element back to our fans in Northern California,” said Steve Page, Sonoma Raceway president and general manager.

San Jose’s Chestnut holds the current world record for eating 69 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs and Buns in 10 minutes, and he will seek his ninth straight title in 2015—a world record. Sudo, of Las Vegas will defend her title as female champion, having consumed 34 Hot Dogs and Buns in 10 minutes in 2014.

In recent years, an estimated 35,000 fans have traveled to the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island to watch the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest in person. The live telecast of the event has consistently attracted millions of viewers since ESPN first aired the contest in 2004.

“The launch of the annual hot dog-eating contest circuit signals the impending arrival of summer,” said Wayne Norbitz, president and COO of Nathan’s Famous. “As we celebrate our 99th year, Nathan’s Famous is proud to be part of the American summer and all the enjoyment that it brings.”

According to legend, the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest has occurred each July 4 in Coney Island, N.Y., since 1916, the year Nathan Handwerker opened the legendary restaurant. Major League Eating, the governing body of all stomach-centric sport, sanctions the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog-Eating Circuit and ensures the contests are judged professionally and that safety standards are in place at each event.

Those interested in competing in the qualifier should visit www.majorleagueeating.com to obtain information and register. All competitors must be over 18 years of age.

For more information about the Toyota/Save Mart 350 or to secure your tickets and pre-race pass, visit www.racesonoma.com/nascar or call 800-870-RACE (7223).

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About Nathan's Famous, Inc.

Nathan's is a Russell 2000 Company that currently distributes its products in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Cayman Islands and ten foreign countries through its restaurant system, foodservice sales programs and product licensing activities. Last year, over 480 million Nathan's Famous hot dogs were sold. Nathan's was ranked #22 on the Forbes 2014 list of the Best Small Companies in America and was listed as the Best Small Company in New York State in October 2013. For additional information about Nathan's please visit our website at www.nathansfamous.com. The contents of our website have not been incorporated into and do not form a part of this press release.

About Sonoma Raceway

Sonoma Raceway, located in the Sonoma Valley, is Northern California’s premier motor-sports destination, featuring a world-class road course, drag strip and karting center. Its annual race schedule is headlined by the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and Verizon IndyCar® Series. In addition, Sonoma Raceway boasts a motor-sports industrial park, which serves as home to more than 70 businesses, including the Simraceway Performance Driving Center. Sonoma Raceway is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Speedway Motorsports, Inc. , a leading marketer and promoter of motor-sports entertainment in the United States.