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NASCAR: John Boy and Billy's Second Annual 'Beach Run' Set

4 May 1999

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - NASCAR Cafe. John Boy and Billy. NASCAR and NFL celebrities. An unbeatable combination for charity. All of those entities will team up once again this year for the second annual "NASCAR Cafe John Boy and Billy Beach Run," to be held May 12-14. The motorcycle ride, which originates in four cities and culminates at NASCAR Cafe Myrtle Beach (S.C.), will benefit the Hendrick Marrow Program and the NASCAR Winston Cup Racing Wives Auxillary.

Defending NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday and the country music group Ricochet will lead the event as grand marshals beginning May 13 at 7 a.m. from NASCAR Cafe in Nashville (Tenn.). Former University of Tennessee All-American and NFL quarterback Heath Shuler will join the ride in Knoxville, Tenn.

Groups of riders will also originate that day from Charleston, W.Va., and Richmond, Va. Another group of riders will originate in Orlando, Fla., on Wednesday, May 12 at noon. All four groups will converge on Charlotte, N.C., before the united ride will head for Myrtle Beach, led by "Big Show" stars "John Boy" Isley, Billy James and Robert D. Raiford and Carolina Panthers' All-Pro tight end Wesley Walls.

Highlights of the event include a ride around the 1.5-mile Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., along with a visit and a ride around the legendary 1.366-mile Darlington (S.C.) Raceway. A great party awaits the riders upon arrival at approximately 6 p.m. on May 14 at NASCAR Cafe Myrtle Beach.

Along the way to Charlotte on the Nashville route, riders will stop in Sevierville, Tenn., for lunch and a look at NASCAR Cafe Smoky Mountains construction site at Governor's Crossing.

Last year's inaugural event raised a combined $10,000 for the Hendrick Marrow Program and the NASCAR Winston Cup Racing Wives Auxillary.

"Our strategy with the second year of the Beach Run was to get many more John Boy and Billy stations and markets involved," said Mark Dyer, president of NASCAR Cafe. "The response has been fantastic from stations and the loyal listeners who make John Boy and Billy number one in the south. Our objectives remain the same - to generate funds and publicity for the Beach Run charities and have a whole lot of fun."

This year's "NASCAR Cafe John Boy and Billy Beach Run" has be expanded to accommodate more riders on the trek to Myrtle Beach to celebrate Bike Week on Myrtle Beach's Grand Strand. The John Boy and Billy "Big Show," featuring popular co-hosts "John Boy" Isley and Billy James, is syndicated in 59 markets across the United States and is based in Charlotte, N.C. NASCAR Cafe has locations in Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Nashville, Tenn.; Orlando, Fla., and Las Vegas. A fifth location is scheduled to open mid-June in the Smoky Mountains in Seveirville, Tenn.

The $100 registration fee includes an official Beach Run T-shirt, gas, some meals (depending upon the route) and admission to all official Beach Run events. Riders may join the route on any of the stops listed on the itinerary. Riders can pre-register by mail at P.O. Box 3698, Knoxville, Tenn., 37927.

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