Tony Stewart Set To Make Williams Grove Speedway Sprint Car Debut

INDIANAPOLIS Aug. 15, 2008 – Two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart is poised to open another chapter in his racing career as he’ll make his Sprint car debut at Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, Pa., on Tuesday, (Aug. 19). Stewart will take to the half-mile speed plant in a 360 winged Sprint car for the first time next week for the third and final round of the Ollie’s 360 Challenge. He will return to the seat of his No. 20 Old Spice Sprint car against an impressive list of competitors that includes fellow NASCAR regulars Kasey Kahne and Dave Blaney.

“I’m really looking forward to making my first Sprint car start at Williams Grove Speedway in next week’s Ollie’s 360 Challenge finale,” Stewart said. “Williams Grove is a track that has been such a historic part of Sprint car racing. It’s a place where all drivers want to compete during their careers. I’ve driven a modified at Williams Grove before but I’m excited to compete there in the Sprint car. We’re very proud to have been part of these three events with a partner such as Ollie’s Bargain Outlets. Next week’s race will be a great event, both for the fans and the drivers, and I’m looking forward to getting back in the Old Spice Sprint car against some of the greatest winged Sprint car drivers in the country.”

Stewart, who on July 8 was forced to sit out the second leg of the Ollie’s 360 Challenge at his own Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, due to illness, was looking forward to taking on two-time World of Outlaws (WoO) Sprint Series champion and Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) driver Donny Schatz next week. But due to a scheduling conflict for Schatz, another match-up between the two will have to wait until next season.

“I was looking forward to racing against Donny again next week and it’s unfortunate that he won’t be able to compete at Williams Grove with us. He’s been on a roll the past few months and it was great to watch him and the No. 15 Armor All team win their third straight Knoxville Nationals title last weekend. As a car owner, nothing would have made me prouder than to see him win at Williams Grove and earn the $50,000 bonus. As a driver, I really enjoy competing against him. It would have been fun to have him compete with us in the Ollie’s 360 Challenge finale next week.”

Stewart, the No. 20 Old Spice/Chevy/Eagle team and the rest of the winged Sprint car competitors will vie for a $6,000 payout to Tuesday’s A-main winner. In addition, Jason Johnson, winner of the July 8 Ollie’s 360 Challenge round at Eldora, is eligible for the $50,000 bonus for the driver who can win two of the series’ three features. Schatz, winner of the June 17 leg at Sharon Speedway in Hartford, Ohio, would have been the only other driver eligible for the bonus.

The Ollie’s 360 Challenge event at Williams Grove, which is hosted by Kahne, will benefit the Kasey Kahne Foundation (KKF.) In a similar event last season, the KKF and Williams Grove worked together to raise more than $75,000. The KKF assists several charitable organizations, including the Ronald McDonald House.

“It’s great to work with the Kasey Kahne Foundation again this year,” Stewart said. “The race not only gives me a chance to get back in my 360 Sprint car, but it benefits a great organization at the same time. Kasey has always supported my charity events at Eldora Speedway, and it means a lot that he’s invited me to participate in this race alongside him. Hopefully, we’ll be able to put on a great show for the fans and help out a lot of deserving kids.”

Gates will open at Williams Grove Speedway at 5 p.m. EDT Tuesday for the third round of the Ollie’s 360 Challenge. Qualifying is set to begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling the track at 717-697-5000 or by visiting www.williamsgrove.com.

The first round of the Ollie’s 360 Challenge took place on June 17 at Sharon Speedway. The track, which is co-owned by the Blaney family, hosts several 410 winged sprint car events each year. The second round of the series was held at Stewart’s Eldora Speedway. The August 19 event finale at Williams Grove will see drivers compete for more than a $130,000 purse.