Autograph Alley Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ALPIN HAUS TO HOST "THUNDER IN THE VALLEY IV" AUTOGRAPH ALLEY 
AT LEBANON VALLEY ON JUNE 27TH

JUNE 17, 2002, WEST LEBANON, NY - Alpin Haus will once again host the 
autograph alley at "Thunder in the Valley IV" Thursday June 27th at Lebanon 
Valley Speedway. Presented by CARQUEST Auto Parts, Sprint PCS, Saratoga 
Water, Molson Beer, I Love NY, Columbia County Office of Tourism, Hess Mart 
and GE Extreme Silicone Technology this 100 lap 358 Modified Championship 
event is part of the Turning Stone Casino 358-Modified Super Dirt Series.
Greg Zipadelli, the crew chief for the Joe Gibbs Racing Pontiac, driven by 
Tony Stewart, will be headline the autograph session. Sharing the autograph 
table with Zipadelli will be Eric Messier, a member of the 2001 Stanley Cup 
champion Colorado Avalanche.
Zipadelli, a native of Berlin Conn., is one of the many Northerners who have 
found success on the Winston Cup circuit.
    His love affair with racecars began when he started working on his 
uncle's modified and became a familiar face in the pits at the asphalt 
speedways throughout New England.
Since the late 1980's when he first took over as a crew chief, Zipadelli has 
made a meteoric climb to the top of the auto-racing world.  In 1988, he 
served as the crew chief on the NASCAR Featherlite Modified of Mike 
McLaughlin, who won five races and the point championship that season.
Two years later, when McLaughlin landed a ride in the Busch North car owned 
by Mike Greci, McLaughlin recommended that Zipadelli come along.
From 1990 to 1997, Zipadelli worked for a number of drivers including Team 
Goewey owner Bryan Goewey, and in 1997, Zipadelli finally directed another 
championship team, leading Mike Stefanik to Busch North Series title.
In 1988, Zipadelli joined Roush Racing as a chassis specialist for Jeff 
Burton's car, which finished fifth in the Winston Cup point race that year.
Zipadelli then moved over to Joe Gibbs Racing in 1999, when Gibbs added a 
second car and put Tony Stewart an open-wheel driver behind the wheel of his 
Pontiac.  Zipadelli helped Stewart win the Winston Cup Rookie of the Year 
title that season.
The Alpin Haus Autograph Alley will be set up on the grassy area just in 
front of the ticket booths, giving race fans easy access to the racing 
celebrities.
Following the autograph session, Zipadelli and Messier will join the rest of 
the fans watching some of the biggest names in auto racing battling for a top 
prize of $13,020.  Can Lightening Strike Twice? Will Tony Stewart be able to 
repeat his performance from a year ago or will Dave Blaney step up to the 
plate and spoil Stewart's chances? All the best 358 Modified drivers in the 
world will be setting their sights on victory lane.
Plenty of great seats are still available for "Thunder in the Valley IV" and 
can be purchased in advance by calling the speedway ticket hot line at 
518-794-9606 or 518-794-9965. General Admission tickets are only $20 with 
reserved seating $22. Gates open at 5pm for "Thunder in the Valley IV" with 
racing at 7pm. For more info visit www.lebanonvalley.com.