"THUNDER IN THE VALLEY V" WEST LEBANON, NY

May 01, 2003                                    
                                   

CARQUEST AUTO PARTS STEWART-BLANEY FOUR RACE SERIES
TO INCLUDE "THUNDER IN THE VALLEY V"

WEST LEBANON, NY - The inaugural "Thunder in the Valley" held on June 28, 
2001 kicked off what has become a very popular event held at Lebanon Valley 
each year. Winston Cup Champion Tony Stewart captured his first ever victory 
in an open wheeled modified in dominating fashion by leading every lap of the 
100-lap Super Dirt Series event. 

Former World of Outlaws Champion Dave Blaney also showed he can still "kick 
up the dirt" as he finished a very respectable fourth place in that same 
event. Racing against the best drivers dirt racing has to offer these two 
pavement pounders proved they can be competitive in any kind of racecar.

The excitement will continue on Thursday July 24th as Stewart and Blaney 
return as CARQUEST Auto Parts Presents "Thunder in the Valley V". This will 
be the third leg of the CARQUEST Auto Parts Stewart-Blaney Four Race Series, 
which also includes stops at Williams Grove Speedway, Sharon Speedway and New 
Egypt Speedway.

Rich Pallai, Vice President of Marketing for CARQUEST Auto Parts, is all for 
bringing the type of talented drivers like Stewart and Blaney back to the 
roots of racing. "The excitement these Cup drivers generate when they visit a 
local dirt track is awesome, they are very approachable and their degree of 
competitiveness is amazing," said Pallai.

Joining Stewart and Blaney at the West Lebanon speed plant will be Stewart's 
Crew Chief Greg Zipadelli. Zipadelli, who started his career in the 
Northeast's Busch North Series, has become one of Winston Cup's most 
respected and successful crew chiefs.

FOX-TV Motorsports commentator Matt Yocum will also be on hand to meet the 
fans. Yocum can be seen regularly reporting from the pits during FOX NASCAR 
race broadcasts. 

The foursome along with 2 Winston Cup Crew members will participate in a pre 
race autograph session. Fans will be offered a very special way to receive 
autographs and they can help a very good cause in doing so.

Zipadelli and his wife Nan have created Zippy's Crusade for Kids, a nonprofit 
charity to assist children in need. 800 numbered, collectable autograph cards 
will be made available to fans for a minimum donation. This card will afford 
the holder the opportunity to have Tony Stewart, Dave Blaney, Greg Zipadelli 
and Matt Yocum autograph it for them on July 24th. Proceeds from the card 
donations will benefit Zippy's Crusade for Kids.

As if the excitement of 100 laps of 358 Modified racing wasn't enough, a 
Champions Challenge Race will take place pitting Stewart and Blaney against 
some of Lebanon Valley and Dirt's best drivers.

Dave Blaney will pilot the Knoth & Hastings' #74 Smith Bros. Concrete 
Foundations Teo while Tony Stewart serves as his spotter. Always colorful 
with his comments, Stewart will also provide commentary during the event. 
This should be very entertaining; you won't want to miss this one.

Tickets for "Thunder in the Valley V" on Thursday July 24th are just $20 
General Admission and $22 Reserved and are available now by calling the 
speedway office at 518-794-9606 or 518-794-9965. Gates open at 5pm with 
racing at 7pm. For more information please visit www.lebanonvalley.com