Two-Time Daytona 500 Champion Michael Waltrip Will Make Tacoma Appearance

NASCAR Driver Michael Waltrip Will Appear at the 'Back The Track Night'

TACOMA, Wash., Jan. 18 -- Michael Waltrip, a two-time Daytona 500 Champion, will appear at the "Back The Track Night" on Thursday, January 19 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Tacoma Dome. Waltrip will meet and greet fans, sign autographs and be a part of the "Back The Track" night being held to rally supporters of the proposal being put forth by Great Western Sports to develop a motorsports facility in Kitsap County.

Fans will also have the opportunity to meet other NASCAR and Indy Racing League's drivers, including Greg Biffle, Kasey Kahne and Sam Hornish Jr., who will be on-hand to sign autographs and talk about their upcoming race seasons. The event will also feature exhibits from the LeMay Museum, local short track drivers and their race cars and representatives from Washington area race tracks. Fans will be able to feel the thrill of professional auto racing with interactive displays while learning more about the proposed motorsports facility in Kitsap County.

"We hope that our fans will join us on January 19 to help spread the excitement of racing to their neighbors and in their communities," said Grant Lynch, Vice President of ISC and project lead for GWS. "In addition, this is an opportunity for residents to demonstrate their support to state leaders. They need to hear that you welcome major motorsports to Washington, and welcome the significant economic benefits it brings."

GWS unveiled its financing plan last November and has proposed to pay $166 million, or nearly half of project costs, plus any construction cost overruns, and costs related to the regular maintenance and operation of the facility. The finance proposal is comprised of three components, all of which represent new money to Washington. First, GWS will contribute $166 million of the total project costs. Second, a Public Stadium Authority will be formed and would use a state sales tax credit to fund $166 million of facility construction costs. Third, a dedicated local tax on the facility will contribute $13 million. A significant portion of both the state and local revenues created by the project (construction and operation) will go back into the respective general funds. For three weekends per year, the proposed track would attract thousands of out-of-state fans. Local residents who do not attend races will not pay a dime. No new taxes are created by the proposed facility and the millions of dollars generated by visitors can be used by local governments to address specific needs within their communities.

In addition to its financial contribution, GWS will also contribute the major motorsports events to the facility. GWS has proposed two major event weekends per year and a third weekend of regional events. In addition, a road course is planned for the facility to appeal to local road-racing enthusiasts. The facility will also be available for community purposes including non- profit and fundraising events.

GWS is continuing with its extensive project due diligence to review the environmental impacts of the facility, including noise and traffic. The project will undergo environmental review throughout the permitting process, during which the public will have opportunity to provide comment and ask questions. GWS is committed to ensuring the project complements the surroundings of the area, which will provide a beautiful backdrop for a premier facility. For example, the track will be designed in a bowl configuration to mitigate noise from cars and race fans.

In addition, GWS is utilizing a transportation consultant with extensive experience in moving large crowds for major events to assist in the development of a comprehensive transportation plan. Infrastructure improvements already planned by the state Department of Transportation near the facility, such as a second Narrows Bridge, will help ease traffic flow on major event weekends.

Several local organizations have endorsed the development of the facility including: the Kitsap County Economic Development Council; the Economic Development Council of Mason County; the Kitsap Peninsula Visitor & Convention Bureau; the Bremerton, Port Orchard, North Mason, Silverdale and Shelton-Mason Chambers of Commerce; the Seattle Sports Commission; the Kitsap County Sports Roundtable; the U.S. Navy League (Kitsap); the Bremerton Motorsports Club; the Downtown Bremerton Association and Dave Johnson, Executive Secretary of the Washington Building & Construction Trades Council; the Olympic Peninsula Building and Trades Council; Leader International Corp.; Bruce Spalding who is Secretary-Treasurer and Linda Lanham, Legislative and Political Director of the Machinist Union (IAM 751); and, Shawn Cucciardi, owner of the McCormick Woods Golf Course and President of the Kitsap Visitor and Convention Bureau. GWS has also launched an extensive outreach effort to directly address concerns of local residents and provide additional information about the project, Great Western Sports and International Speedway Corporation. The 'Back the Track Night' at the Tacoma Dome is the largest event thus far for fans and supporters of the project.

For more information on GWS' efforts to bring world-class racing to Washington, visit www.race2wa.com.

Great Western Sports is a wholly-owned subsidiary of International Speedway Corporation, a leading promoter of motorsports activities in the United States, currently promoting more than 100 events annually as well as numerous other motorsports-related activities.