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TRACKS: Irwindale's pace car will find new home Thanksgiving night

22 November 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
Irwindale, Calif.- - Someone is going be heading home from the 60th running of the USAC Turkey Night Grand Prix for Midget Race Cars at Irwindale Speedway with something more tangible than just great memories of a classic 100-lap race with its roots about as deep as any racing series. Someone is going to be driving home in style in the racetrack's very own, very beautiful, Advantage Ford Mustang GT convertible.

Advantage Ford-Lincoln Mercury's General Manager Mike Wedmore will be on hand at the Speedway on Thursday night to present the keys to the winning fan, "We've never had such a successful single vehicle campaign, people from all over the San Gabriel Valley and well beyond all know about the "Win The Irwindale Pace Car" promotion. I can't wait until Thursday night to see who's going to win the best-known Mustang in California."

All year long fans have been entering their names in person at the Speedway, at Advantage Ford-Lincoln Mercury, on the Speedway's website, in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, and at special community events attended by Speedway representatives. "Over 20,000 names are 'in the hat' to win the Mustang," said Track VP/COO Bob DeFazio. "We're all really looking forward to Thanksgiving Night and presenting this very unique car to one of our great fans."

During the 2000 season the Advantage Ford Mustang Pace Car was seen by over 150,000 on-site fans, took over 500 dignitaries, celebrities, and special guest for exciting pace lap rides, was seen by millions on TV leading both NASCAR and USAC events at the Speedway, and made numerous "guest appearances" at car shows, parades, schools and other local civic events. It perhaps the most recognizable Mustang auto ever with its image even appearing in the masthead of the track's website www.irwindalespeedway.com. This car is not a replica, it will be the actual automobile that has been used by the Speedway for the entire 2000 season.

Text Provided By Doug Stokes

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.