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NEWS RELEASE
September 5, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEAM MOPAR CONTACT:
Darren Jacobs
J.R. Thompson Company
(248) 553-4566
djacobs@jrthompson.com
PACKED CROWD WITNESSES HISTORY AT ‘MOPAR D1 ALL-STAR DUEL’
CENTER LINE, Mich. — The first-ever meeting of NASCAR stars and Drifters was an overwhelming success, as a jam-packed crowd of NASCAR and drifting fans came together to experience a historic event at the “Mopar D1 All-Star Duel presented by ShiftIntoGear.” The thrilling exhibition had attendees on the edge of their seats at Southern California’s Irwindale Speedway, known as the “House of Drift.”
Fans of both NASCAR and drifting swarmed the Irwindale Speedway midway for an autograph signing with all the drivers, the line snaking behind the grandstands. NASCAR Cup stars Kasey Kahne (driver of the No. 9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge Charger), Matt Kenseth, Bill Elliott, Greg Biffle, Robby Gordon, Scott Wimmer and Casey Mears (driver of the Texaco/Havoline Dodge Charger) mingled with drifters such as Team Mopar’s Samuel Hubinette, Rhys Millen, Vaughn Gittin Jr., Tanner Foust, Ken Nomura, Tatsuya Sakuma, Toshika Yoshioka, Takahiro Ueno, and Hideo Hiraoka during pre-race ceremonies.
The Drifters kicked off the exhibition with a jaw-dropping all-eight tandem drift, drawing thunderous cheers as tire smoke wafted up into the crowd. Kahne (who went on to sweep the NASCAR Busch and Cup races at California Speedway over the weekend) and his NASCAR compatriots next took turns drifting the Irwindale course.
After tandem runs from the drifters, the NASCAR drivers attacked the course once again, impressing the crowd with their drifting skills after only a few hours of practice. Kahne and others, including Chris Cook, co-owner of ShiftIntoGear, Inc., drifted the high bank at Irwindale and took part in tandem runs. The night was capped off with the spectacle of another all-eight tandem run by the drifters.
“What a great event,” said Hubinette, who was named Drift All-Star of the exhibition, with Kahne taking home honors as the NASCAR Drift Star. “We raised money for the Kasey Kahne Foundation and gave fans a show they’ll never forget. The NASCAR guys, especially Kasey, really caught on to drifting quick and had some impressive runs. I hope we can do it again next year.”
The funds raised at the event benefited the Kasey Kahne Foundation, which raises and donates funds to charitable organizations that care for chronically ill children and their families, including Ronald McDonald children’s charities.
“This event was one that people will be talking about for years to come, and Mopar was proud to take part as the event sponsor,” said Kevin Milller, Senior Manager, Mopar Brand, Performance & Motorsports. “Bringing Kasey, Sam and the other Drifters and NASCAR drivers together made for a unique event, giving fans the chance to witness history. Most importantly, all the fun helped support a really worthwhile cause.”
Hubinette will be on the move again this weekend, heading from the West Coast to the East Coast for Round 6 of the Formula D Drift Series on September 9 at Wall Speedway in New Jersey. Hubinette, the 2004 Formula D champ, is only 11 points out of first, with two wins and three podium finishes on the season.
For information on Hubinette, Kahne, D1, Irwindale Speedway, Mopar, ShiftIntoGear, or the “Mopar D1 All-Star Duel presented by ShiftIntoGear,” log on to www.samuelhubinette.com, www.kaseykahne.com, www.d1gp.com, www.irwindalespeedway.com, www.shiftintogear.com, www.christinemariemotorsports.com, www.motorsportsmanagement.com, www.mopar.com or www.moparspeed.com. For post event coverage of the “Mopar D1 All-Star Duel,” log on to www.driftlive.com.
Mopar is based in Center Line, Mich., and is the exclusive original equipment supplier of parts and accessories for Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep® vehicles.
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