SPECIAL EVENT (CINCINNATI) - NASCAR And Cincinnati Reds To Hold NASCAR Night

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) and the Cincinnati Reds are teaming up for NASCAR Night on Mon., Aug. 20 when the Reds take on the Atlanta Braves at 7:10 p.m. at the ballpark.

Fans will have the unique opportunity to experience the trackside excitement of NASCAR and interact with local athletes in downtown Cincinnati at the Pit Stop Festival, which lasts from 12 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. The Pit Stop Festival will include a performance by country recording artist Kellie Pickler, interactive NASCAR displays, show cars and appearances by the Reds Rally Pack and the Reds Crew. Fans can also have their picture taken with the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Trophy thanks to a Kodak Picture Station that will be located inside the Fan Zone.

“Ohio is a hotbed for NASCAR racing so we’re very excited to be teaming with the Reds to bring the excitement and passion of NASCAR to the fans in Cincinnati,” said Blake Davidson, NASCAR’s managing director of licensed products. “NASCAR fans in the Ohio Valley Region watch our races and travel to our events so we’re thrilled to be able to reward them with NASCAR Night, a celebration of America’s number two sport on television in conjunction with America’s favorite pastime.”

The Pit Stop Festival will also feature a raffle with more than $10,000 worth of prizes, including four competition tires from Kyle Busch’s No. 5 Kellogg’s/Carquest Chevrolet race car, posters of drivers competing in the 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series compliments of the local Goodyear Gemini dealers, tickets to the 2008 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard NASCAR NEXTEL Cup race and packages from the Richard Petty Driving Experience.

Beginning at 5:30 p.m., drivers Kyle Busch, Terry Labonte and Eric McClure will join NASCAR legend Rusty Wallace and other NASCAR celebrities for a one hour autograph session. Current and former Reds players and coaches will also sign autographs for the first 200 fans in line in the NASCAR Pit Area at 2 p.m.

“We are so excited to be working with NASCAR to bring two major league organizations together in a synergistic effort to entertain fans,” Reds Senior Vice President of Business Operations Phil Castellini said. “Reds country also has a great NASCAR following, so it seemed natural to bring the two together for an action-packed day of NASCAR and Reds baseball.”

As part of the first ever NASCAR Night with the Reds, fans will have the chance to participate in a question and answer session with all of the NASCAR celebrities, hear a live broadcast of the KOI Racing Report Show with WLW’s Seg Dennison and compete in the Tailgate Tri-Fect-A tournament where the winner receives NASCAR licensed Chuck-O, Bulls-Eye Washers and Top Toss games to take home.

NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series drivers will be featured in pre-game ceremonies, which will include Wallace, 55 time winner on NASCAR’s top series and current host of the nationally syndicated program, “NASCAR Angels,” throwing out the first pitch.

To enter the Pit Festival, fans are asked to show a ticket for that evening’s game or to make a $5 contribution to the Reds Community Fund. Tickets to this game are still available, including outer view level seats for $5. Once inside, all interactive games and displays are free.