FREE "OPEN HOUSE" FOR FANS: IRWINDALE SPEEDWAY MARCH 9,2002 10am - 6pm

FAN/FAMILY "OPEN HOUSE" AT IRWINDALE SPEEDWAY WILL KICK THE RACING SEASON INTO GEAR WITH MORNING OPEN PIT AREA 
AND AFTERNOON PRACTICE … BOTH FREE TO THE PUBLIC  
SATURDAY, MARCH 9:  10am – 6pm


Irwindale, Calif. (January 15, 2002) - - The 2002 NASCAR racing season is ready to roar back to life at Irwindale Speedway, and fans are invited to get a FREE personal preview of the proceedings on Saturday, March 9 at the stadium.  

Bob DeFazio, the track's Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, has declared Saturday, March 9th an "Open House" at the Speedway.  "We'll open the Pit Area to everyone at 10am, and invite fans, friends, family, sponsors, to come out and meet our NASCAR drivers and crews in person while getting a close-up look at their colorful racing cars,"  said DeFazio.  "Then, at 1pm, fans will be invited to take a seat in the grandstands and watch practice as the drivers shake off the cobwebs and start getting serious about the upcoming season."  The practice session will run until 6pm.  Pit Passes will be $25 for all racing participants.

Some 150 to 200 drivers are expected to take advantage of this pre-season "tune-up" day, not only bringing their families along to watch, but inviting their sponsors to visit the Speedway as well.  "Our senior staff will be on hand to interact with the teams and their sponsors,"  DeFazio indicated.  "They'll be able to suggest ways of enhancing their sponsorship packages at the Speedway."

All seven track championship divisions will practice on the 9th: NASCAR Super Late Models, Auto Club Late Models, Grand American Modifieds, Vista Paint Super Stocks, Modified 4's, Legend Cars, and American Race Trucks.   A great way for new fans to see all of the regular weekly divisions running at once, this no-charge (for parking or admission) day is the perfect "warm-up" for fans, crews, and drivers.

Located directly adjacent to the 605 freeway in Irwindale, Irwindale Speedway is freeway-close from anywhere in the southland.  With acres of parking, great food, clean restrooms, special pre-race shows, super seats, and the most competitive paved oval track racing in the country, Irwindale Speedway has become THE place to be for live action-entertainment excitement on any Saturday night from mid-March through November.

Irwindale Speedway has a informative website (www.irwindalespeedway.com) where fans can print out a complete racing schedule for the 2002 season.  Tickets for any racing event during the new season will be on sale at the track on March 9 and are also available by phone at (626) 358-1100.