EARNHART - GANASSI - SABATES PREVIEW - LAS VEGAS - February 24, 2009

Martin Truex Jr. and No. 1 Bass Pro ShopsŪ/Tracker Boats Team

Las Vegas Stats: Truex will be making his fourth NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) start at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend. His best start was 18th, in this race last year. His best finish of 12th came in 2007. Truex has finished on the lead lap in each of his past three races at the track.

Last week: Truex and the No. 1 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats team fought an ill-handling race car in Sunday’s NSCS event at Auto Club Speedway of California but managed to salvage a 27th-place finish. Truex is currently 17th in 2009 NSCS points.

Open House: Truex will be filming a segment for CMT Cribs next Tuesday, March 3rd. The show takes a look at NASCAR and country music personalities and the places they call home.

Bass Pro Shopping: Outdoor enthusiasts in the Las Vegas area can get all their hunting, fishing and camping supplies at the Bass Pro Shops at 8200 Dean Martin Dr. The store can be reached at 702-730-5200.

Meeting the Fans: Truex will be signing autographs from 11:00 am – 11:30 am on Friday, February 27th, at the NASCAR merchandise trailer in the vendor area outside the entrance to Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Aric Almirola and No. 8 Team

Sentimental Value: Las Vegas Motor Speedway holds a special place in Almirola’s heart as it was the venue for his first ever Sprint Cup Series start. While that race ended in a crash, Almirola has had some success at Vegas. He started and finished 10th in the 2006 Camping World Truck Series race.

Last Week: Almirola and the No. 8 Guitar Hero World Tour Chevrolet battled to find the right set-up during Sunday’s NSCS race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana. The team had fought their way up to 22nd position, but with eight laps to go their engine failed due to an overheating problem. The team is looking to turn around their misfortunes, in a city built upon luck.

For a good cause: Almirola will join fellow NSCS drivers, Greg Biffle, Elliott Sadler, Casey Mears and retired driver Kyle Petty at the 11th annual Speedway Children’s Charities NASCAR Driver Auction at Sam’s Town Live!, inside Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall in Las Vegas on Thursday, February 26, at 6 p.m.

Almirola, Biffle, Sadler, Mears and Petty are appearing through the Coca-Cola Family of Drivers. Proceeds from the event benefit the Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities. Fans will have the opportunity to bid on a ride around the speedway in a convertible with their favorite NSCS stars during driver introductions prior to the start of the Shelby 427 on Sunday, March 1. The event also includes a silent auction with a variety of racing and non-racing items to bid on: autographed team uniforms, race car sheetmetal and tickets to shows in the Las Vegas area. Photos and a listing of some of the items that will be up for auction can be found on www.scclasvegas.org.

Last year’s event raised more than $150,000 for the children of Las Vegas and Southern Nevada. Tickets for the event are available for $35 and may be purchased at www.samstownlv.com.

Juan Pablo Montoya and No. 42 Energizer Team

It Keeps Going and Going… The No. 42 Chevrolet will sport the Energizer paint scheme this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Viva Las Vegas: JPM will be making his third NSCS start at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend. His best start was fourth in his Rookie season (2007) and best finish of 19th came last year.

Last week: The Target team finished 11th in Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) event at Auto Club Speedway of California. Montoya moved to 10th in the NASCAR Championship point standings, marking a NASCAR career high for Montoya. The Target team started 15th for the 500-mile event and never looked back as they maintained a top-15 position for the entire 250 laps.

Go-Karting: Members of the Target Team will participate in the 1st annual Kurt Busch Sprint for the Kids event benefiting The Kurt Busch Foundation and the Victory Junction Gang Camp taking place at Pole Position Raceway on Thursday night in Las Vegas. Montoya sponsored a team for the charity and his crew will have the opportunity to compete in the event.