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NASCAR/Sprints/Midgets: Tony Stewart to be Grand Marshal at Copper World Classic

30 January 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
Phoenix, AZ-1999 NASCAR "Rookie of the Year" Tony Stewart and driver of the Home Depot Pontiac in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series announced today that he is returning to Phoenix International Raceway for the 23rd Annual Copper World Classic presented by Bosch, February 4-6.

"I am really looking forward to getting to back Phoenix to attend this years Copper World Classic and serving as the Grand Marshal is a true honor. PIR is one of my all-time favorite tracks and I really enjoy seeing all my friends back in that area," said Stewart. "I tried hard to put together a ride for the NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series, but things just didnt come together. Ill be there anyway because the Copper World Classic is such a great race."

Stewart will serve as the Grand Marshal on Sunday, February 6th and that morning he will host an autograph session from 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. in the souvenir store located in the PIR Oasis behind the Bobby Allison turn 2 grandstands.

Stewart returns to PIR for the first time since his dominating victory in the Checker Auto Parts/Dura Lube 500 NASCAR Winston Cup race last fall. In 1999 Stewart became the only driver in the history of NASCARs top division to win three races in a rookie year. Stewarts three wins came at Richmond, VA, Phoenix, AZ and Homestead-Miami, FL.

Stewarts career at PIR in the Copper World Classic is also astonishing, in that he is the only driver in the 22 year history of the Copper World Classic to win two feature events on the same day, doing so in the 1998 event by winning the USAC Midget and USAC Silver Crown Series that year. He also finished second in the Supermodified race in 1998. Stewarts other top-three finishes in the Copper World Classic include a 1993 second place finish in the USAC Silver Crown race, third in the 1994 USAC Silver Crown and first in USAC midgets in 1997.

Tickets are on sale for the Copper World Classic presented by Bosch by calling (602) 252-2227 or by ordering on line at www.phoenixintlraceway.com. Ticket office hours are open Mon.- Thur. 9 a.m. - 9 p.m, Fri. - Sat. 9 a.m. - 10 p.m, Sun. 11 a.m.- 5 p.m..

Text provided by Kenny Kane

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