(LEBANON, Missouri) – With the United States Army celebrating its 237th birthday on Thursday, Lebanon I-44 Speedway will honor military veterans and active soldiers currently enlisted in the U.S. Armed Forces with a special patriotic ‘Kickin’ Asphalt’ program this Saturday night, June 16. Spectator gates open up at 5:00 p.m., with a full slate of ASA stock car racing scheduled to get underway at 7:30 p.m. on Missouri’s only asphalt oval.
“We wanted to honor those who have served our great country,” said I-44 Speedway Promoter Kevin Greven. “Through a night like this, fans and drivers alike can pay tribute to the great sacrifices and incredible service that these men and women have offered our nation. We’re excited to put on a great program for our military members at no cost to those presenting military id in the Monster Energy Grandstands.”
Any current or retired military member with an Military ID present will receive free admission to Saturday’s ‘Military Appreciation Night’ program in the Monster Energy Grandstands that will be headlined by the speed demons that comprise the O’Reilly Auto Parts ASA Late Models division. Also on tap will be the Budweiser Modifieds and Hardee’s Sportsman as well as the Hoosier Tire Road Warriors and Coca-Cola Chargers, the track’s two entry-level classes. With upwards of a thousand military members likely to be on hand, Greven said that the track will have members of the Color Guard present to present the nation’s colors as well as a group of 16 select military members from nearby Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. in a suite in the Central Bank Tower.
Lebanon I-44 Speedway offers an alcohol-free Monster Energy grandstand, featuring aluminum seating with seat-backs, along with tier parking for cars, pickup trucks and RV’s where patrons may park, tailgate and view the races. Known amongst I-44 race fans as the ‘Budweiser Wild Side’, beer may be brought in by fans to the tier parking areas, while full food and non-alcoholic beverage concessions are available in both the Monster Energy grandstands and Budweiser Wild Side tier parking, along with a souvenir and track apparel stand.
Admission prices will remain just $10 for Adults, ages 16 and older, in the grandstands while Adult admission on the ‘Budweiser Wild Side’ will remain just $15. Discounted admission for Seniors (ages 65 and older) and Juniors (ages 11-15) will be offered in both locations, and Children (ages 10 and younger) will be admitted for free along with all military personnel with an Military ID present (free military admission is in the Monster Energy Grandstand). A grandstand Family Pass for two Adults and two Juniors plus any number of Children is available for $25, while six Adults entering in the same vehicle on tiered parking will be admitted to the ‘Budweiser Wild Side’ for $75.
“Fans will be able to join us in celebrating our military and this great nation,” said Greven. “These drivers will be eager to put on an exciting program for our stars and stripes and each and every fan in attendance. This will be a special evening for everyone involved and we want all of Mid-Missouri out there to honor our troops.”
Lebanon I-44 Speedway is located four miles east of the Lebanon city limit on Historic Route 66. Patrons using Interstate 44 may take Exit 135 and then drive approximately one mile east on Route 66 to the track’s main entrance. Additional information about the track’s 2012 ‘Kickin’ Asphalt’ racing schedule may be found on the facility’s official website, www.i44speedway.net, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Lebanon-I-44-Speedway, and on Twitter (@i44Speedway).