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NASCAR 'SpeedPark' Brings Fast-Paced Fun to the Smoky Mountains

21 May 1999

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn., - Appeal to the Smokies just got stronger with this month's opening of the NASCAR SpeedPark on Highway 441 beside Governor's Crossing.

An official licensee of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, NASCAR SpeedPark Smoky Mountains is an interactive NASCAR entertainment facility designed to bridge the gap between go-kart family entertainment venues and the professional NASCAR circuit.

"We exist to please NASCAR fans - the most passionate and knowledgeable fans in all of sports," said Steve Williams, general manager of NASCAR SpeedPark Smoky Mountains.

NASCAR SpeedPark puts fans in the driver's seat with a 25-acre site and eight exciting tracks that appeal to a broad range of age groups and driving skills. In addition to NASCAR SpeedPark race cars and race tracks, attractions include The Pit Stop Grill, a 28,000 square-foot SpeedDome arcade with the hottest new racing games and simulators, and souvenir shops featuring NASCAR SpeedPark memorabilia and apparel.

NASCAR SpeedPark, scheduled to open Friday, also hosts periodic visits by official spokespersons Dale "The Intimidator" Earnhardt (seven-time NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion), Jeff Gordon (three-time Winston Cup champion), Dale Jarrett (two-time Daytona 500 winner) and Rusty Wallace (1989 Winston Cup champion). The $15 million interactive theme park employs over 200 people and is capable of hosting more than 6,000 visitors a day.

Douglas P. Wendel, president and CEO of Burroughs & Chapin Company, Inc., the parent company of International Speed Parks, LLC, which owns NASCAR SpeedPark, said, "As one of the country's hottest lifestyles and America's fastest growing sport, the NASCAR experience has captivated the hearts of millions of fans throughout the United States. We are excited to locate our second NASCAR SpeedPark in the Smoky Mountains."

NASCAR SpeedPark Smoky Mountains is a sister-attraction to NASCAR SpeedPark Myrtle Beach (S.C.), which opened in 1998. Eight more NASCAR SpeedParks are slated for construction over the next five years.

Editors Note: For hundreds of hot racing photos and racing art, be sure to visit The Racing ImageGalleries and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.