NASCAR AND NHRA Stars Salute U.S. Armed Forces With The USO Salute The Troops Memorial Day Tribute

Armed Forces Unite for Major Military Tribute by NASCAR, NHRA Drivers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (May 6, 2008) – Six NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers and two Nationwide Series drivers will lead all NASCAR fans in the USO Salute the Troops Memorial Day tribute to the armed forces on Saturday, May 24th, and Sunday, May 25th, at Lowe’s Motor Speedway to kick off a nationwide effort to raise funds for military families worldwide. All will drive specially designed cars supporting branches of the military. NHRA star Tony Schumacher will join the effort with a special car at the O’Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals.

Participating drivers include Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Clint Bowyer, Mark Martin, Jon Wood, Brad Keselowski, Cale Gale and Tony Schumacher.

Several of those drivers, including Mark Martin, Jon Wood and Brad Keselowski were at Lowe’s Motor Speedway today for the unveiling of the special cars. Distinguished members of the military kicked off the Salute the Troops tribute in grand style with a military color guard presentation and the presentation of the cars that will run in the CARQUEST Auto Parts 300, Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day and the O’Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals the previous weekend to show their support for America’s armed forces. The USO Salute the Troops program hopes to raise funds for American military families in need through the effort.

"I love the fact that we are able to, through our Salute the Troops race weekend, show how much we care, show how much our troops mean to us and show our support,” said Jeff Gordon, driver of the No. 24 DuPont Salute the Troops Chevrolet. "I would like to do more because I think that is what Memorial Day is all about -- paying tribute to the men and women that fight so hard for us. They put their lives on the line for us to have the freedom to be able to do this every weekend and to be able to live in a country that has so many benefits.”

The NASCAR and NHRA team owners, sponsors, drivers and employees donated the space on their cars to collectively thank the armed forces at the CARQUEST Auto Parts 300, Coca-Cola 600 and O’Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals.

Diecast models and officially licensed merchandise of the participating drivers will be available for sale through Motorsports Authentics.

“The USO is proud to be the beneficiary of the Salute the Troops campaign,” said Edward A. Powell, USO president and CEO. “We thank Speedway Motorsports, Motorsports Authentics, the racing community and its fans for their continued support of our men and women in uniform and the USO. It is with great pleasure that the USO joins you in conveying our gratitude for their service and sacrifice”

“It is an honor for Motorsports Authentics to be a part of this program with Speedway Motorsports, General Sadler, Victory Management and the teams,” said Mark Dyer, president of Motorsports Authentics. “All of the men and women serving selflessly in the military are heroes and we recognize their immense sacrifice. This is a great opportunity to recognize, celebrate and support them in a meaningful way. Our sincere hope is that people will come out in force to show their support of this program and to help the heroes among us.”

Participating USO Salute the Troops drivers, teams, cars and sponsors include:

Jeff Gordon - No. 24 DuPont Salute the Troops Chevrolet, Hendrick Motorsports

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. No. 88 National Guard/Amp Energy Salute The Troops Chevrolet, Hendrick Motorsports

Mark Martin - No. 8 Army Salute the Troops Chevrolet, DEI

Jimmie Johnson No. 48 Lowe’s Salute the Troops Chevrolet, Hendrick Motorsports

Clint Bowyer - No. 07 Jack Daniels Toast the Troops Chevrolet, Richard Childress Racing

Jon Wood - No. 21 Air Force Salute the Troops Ford, Wood Brothers Racing

Brad Keselowski - No. 88 NAVY Salute the Troops Chevrolet, JR Motorsports

Cale Gale -  No. 77 VFW Salute the Troops Chevrolet, KHI Racing

Tony Schumacher - No. 1 Army Salute the Troops Top Fuel, Shumacher Racing

Lowe’s Motor Speedway, Motorsports Authentics, Victory Management Group and the NASCAR and NHRA teams and their respective sponsors developed the program. JHE Productions and Lowe’s Motor Speedway will collaborate to create a fantastic pre-race tribute presentation.

Two major organizations will work together to promote the Salute the Troops Memorial Day Tribute and support the event’s fundraising efforts:

The USO

The USO is the bridge between the American public and the U.S. military. In times of peace and war, the USO consistently delivers its special brand of comfort, morale and recreational services to the military. The USO, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, relies on the generosity of individuals and corporations.

Today, the USO delivers its programs and services at more than 130 locations around the world. In recent years, the USO opened centers in Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar and Afghanistan to support service members participating in Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom.

Military personnel and family members visited USO centers more than 7 million times last year. Services include free Internet and e-mail access, entertainment lounges, libraries and reading rooms, housing assistance, support groups, game rooms and nursery facilities.

Speedway Children’s Charities

Speedway Children’s Charities was founded in 1982 by Bruton Smith, Chairman of Speedway Motorsports and Sonic Automotive, as a way for him to give back to the community. As both companies expanded, so did Speedway Children’s Charities. In 1990, Major General Thomas Sadler, USAF (Ret.) was appointed Executive Director to help facilitate growth. Once only associated with the motorsports and automotive industries, Speedway Children’s Charities now attracts interest and funding from all types of corporate and community entities. Speedway Children’s Charities was named a proud charity of NASCAR in 2003.

The priority at Speedway Children’s Charities is improving the quality of life for children in need, and this mission has remained the same throughout its 24-year history. Through donations, sponsorships and fundraising events, they distribute funds directly to qualified nonprofit organizations that provide medial, educational and social services to children. In 2006, they awarded more than $2.8 million to over 470 organizations.