Kurt Busch Joins 2009 North American International Auto Show Racing Day Featuring Motorsport Stars on Jan. 23

Current and future stars of racing meet fans for Q&A at Cobo Center

DETROIT, January 22, 2009: Appearances by former NASCAR and IndyCar champions Kurt Busch and Gil de Ferran highlight the return of Racing Day to the 2009 North American International Auto Show. Motorsport stars from NASCAR, Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA), American Le Mans Series (ALMS), National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), Firestone Indy Lights and IndyCar Series will participate on Friday, Jan. 23, 2009 at Cobo Center in Detroit.

In its fourth year, Racing Day will feature two sets of 30-minute question and answer sessions, each followed by a 30-minute autograph session. The event, which is sponsored by Sprint, offers fans the chance to meet professional motorsport drivers and collect free giveaways from the various racing series and 2009 calendars from Michigan International Speedway.

Drivers participating in the 12:00 p.m. question and answer session include:

Kurt Busch - NASCAR
Gil de Ferran - ALMS
Ben Devlin - ALMS
Gabi DiCarlo - ARCA

Drivers participating in the 5:00 p.m. session include:

Robb Brent - ARCA
Robbie Buhl - IndyCar
Gabi DiCarlo - ARCA
Alistair (Ali) Jackson - Indy Lights
Brian Keselowski - ARCA
Hillary Will - NHRA

"The 2009 NAIAS has something for everyone, especially for motorsport enthusiasts on Auto Racing Day," said NAIAS Senior Co-Chair Joe Serra. "Auto Racing Day offers visitors the opportunity to not only see incredible exhibits at the NAIAS, but also the chance to meet and interact with motorsports superstars, past and future champions."

As presenting sponsor, Sprint will provide a special interactive display that showcases four 3/4-scale racing simulators. Auto enthusiasts familiar with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will get the chance to have their own real- life driving experience when they climb behind the wheel and compete with family and friends in a race to the finish line.

"The NAIAS gives Sprint a wonderful opportunity to feed the need for speed for fans from across the country," said Kim Green-Kerr, area vice president - Michigan & Northwest Ohio, Sprint. "We're doing our part at this event to help satisfy race fans who simply cannot wait for the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series opener in February."

Robbie Buhl, a former IndyCar Series competitor and 1992 Indy Lights Champion who was recently named to the IndyCar Series 2009 TV broadcast team, will also lead a group of children from the "Racing for Kids" program on a tour of the show floor. "Racing for Kids" is a nonprofit organization that is designed to use the increasing popularity of motorsports to focus public attention and funding on the health care needs of children. Beginning in the afternoon, Buhl will guide approximately 20 patients and family members from Children's Hospital of Michigan around the show floor so they can look at the exhibits and experience some of the show's hottest cars from a racer's perspective.

NAIAS Racing Day runs from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Jan. 23, 2009. Public day tickets are required to attend this event, which can be found on NAIAS.