FIREWORKS WILL SALUTE THE HEREOS OF 9/11 AT THE Irwindale SPEEDWAY SATURDAY
SAT. SEPT 14 - PERFORMANCE RACE TRAINING CENTER PRESENTS: SUPER LATE MODELS, WEST COAST PRO TRUCKS, LEGENDS CARS & ULTRA WHEELS SUPER TRUCKS Irwindale, Calif. - - Saturday, September 14 will be a special night at Irwindale Speedway, it marks the one-year anniversary of a night when thousands of fans came to the Speedway to be a part of Motorsport's response to the awful events of 9/11 … "We weren't really sure if we should run races on that night or not," said track GM Bob DeFazio talking about the decisions that led up to that inspiring Saturday night one year ago… "We knew that our fans and racers needed an outlet … A place where they could come together as the kind of extended family that they have become, to cope with this terrible attack on America. As soon as we decided that all proceeds of the night would go to the American Red Cross, it was an easy decision … We did what we know how to do best … We opened the Speedway up and our fans and competitors told us that we were doing the right thing with their presence and their overwhelming generosity." Many thousands of dollars were collected on that night, whole racing divisions donated their purse money and raced for free; fans dug into their pockets and filled racers' helmets with pennies, twenties, and quickly-written checks as they walked the aisles of the stands. Tough drivers were wordless and red-eyed as they emptied their money-stuffed helmets into a hastily-commandeered trash can below the grandstands. A candle lighting ceremony followed the races. In the darkened stadium 5,000 fans held flickering candles high and sang along with Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA". All of the 300+ people in the pits, along with the officials and track workers, filed onto the infield with their candles. It was moment that any one who was there will never forget … It was the racing family grieving together and showing their resolve together. When it was over, fans and racers went home carrying the spirit of that night back to the rest of their everyday lives … All knowing that they'd been a part of something very special that night one year long ago … This Saturday night, September 14, at Irwindale Speedway all of the heroes of 9/11 will be remembered with a special fireworks salute at the conclusion of the races. Fans will be able to once again sing along with the song that has become America's enduring answer to the terror. Heroes who gave their lives, and those who dedicated large parts of their lives to the healing will all be saluted on Saturday night. "It will be another difficult night for us to get through … But our fans and drivers are the best, some of the most honestly patriotic people I know. Their response is what made last year somehow bearable, we became their fans on that night." Making the event even more unique is the fact that the night is designated as the 2nd Annual "Trucker's Night" at the Speedway. Haddicks' Tow & Autobody has sponsored a great afternoon show of the best and brightest in the trucking industry. Everything from 18-wheelers to bread vans will be on display at the Speedway this Saturday afternoon from 2PM on. Trophies for the best working truck, vintage truck, the people's choice, and best in show will be presented in front of the raceway crowd at 7PM. From Tonka to tanker, if it's a truck and it's fancied-up, it'll be at Irwindale on Saturday! Round 9 of the Miller Lite Big 10 Challenge faces the Jani-King Super Late Models, while too-close-for-comfort 2002 points championships make the West Coast Pro Trucks (formerly "American Race Trucks"), Ultra Wheels Super Truck, and King Taco Legend Cars races, all the more "interesting". The track gates open at 4PM on Saturday afternoon, with a hot local band playing live and in person, face-painting for the kids, and the "party atmosphere" King Taco Autograph Session right on the race track at 6PM. Racing will start at 7PM with a resatatement of the our resolve and the signing of the national anthem. Prizes are also awarded to lucky number holders in the track's colorful and informative weekly program. Adding further to the program's worth is the fact that each program cover becomes a collectible mini-poster when opened and laid flat. Great tickets are always available on-line at www.irwindalespeedway.com, by phone at 626-358-1100, and in person at the track's on-site box office. Discounted group rates are availble for as few as 20 people. Parties, track tours, racing school experiances, business luncheons, and more are also always easy to arrange at Irwindale Speedway. Exclusive season corporate box seats are still available with the prices pro-rated to reflect the number of races remaining in the year.