MADISON, Ill. - When some of the biggest names in NASCAR arrive at Gateway International Raceway next Tuesday and Wednesday, fans will be allowed to not only watch their test sessions, but to participate in GIR's first-ever Select-A-Seat event.
While race fans are in the stands watching defending NASCAR Nextel Cup champion and 2006 Daytona 500 champion Jimmie Johnson, former Formula 1, CART, and Indianapolis 500 champion Jacques Villeneuve, and former World of Outlaws champion Dave Blaney Tuesday, they will be allowed to sit anywhere they like in the main grandstand. The same goes on Wednesday when Johnson, Clint Bowyer, 1997 GIR NASCAR Busch Series winner Elliott Sadler, and 2008 Budweiser sponsoree Kasey Kahne take to the track.
For fans wishing to purchase the 2008 TRACK PACK, which encompasses the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series events here, the GIR ticket office will be open. Also, season ticket holders wishing to renew their TRACK PACKS can do so as well.
"If a fan likes the seat they're in, they can talk to one of our ticketing personnel who will be there and buy that seat for our oval events in 2008," said GIR Ticketing Department Director Dave Hurley. "Instead of just issuing a random seat to our customers, we want them to come out and see for themselves where they want to catch the action and what better time to do it than when we've got some of the biggest stars in our sport at Gateway."
Gates for the two-day testing open at 9 a.m. and testing is expected to end at approximately 5 p.m. Spectators are allowed to bring coolers, but they must fall within the same standards expected during regular GIR events. Refreshment stands will also be open for fans wanting some of the delicious food they can only find at Gateway International Raceway. For more information on what can and cannot be brought to the track, visit http://www.gatewayraceway.com/track/policies.php.
GIR Vice President and General Manager Lenny Batycki said area fans are encouraged to participate in this unique experience. "On Tuesday, we have some of racing's biggest champions in Jimmie Johnson, Jacques Villeneuve, and Dave Blaney," he said. "On Wednesday, in addition to Gateway's first Busch Series winner, Elliott Sadler, we have two of the hottest young drivers in NASCAR: Clint Bowyer and Kasey Kahne. With Clint being a Nextel Cup Series championship contender and Kasey preparing to carry the banner of Anheuser-Busch and Budweiser next year, this is a great chance to see some of the best and brightest in motorsports.
"Plus, fans have the opportunity to 'test drive' our grandstand seats for our NASCAR events in 2008. We're looking forward to having everyone here and having a big time."
While race fans are in the stands watching defending NASCAR Nextel Cup champion and 2006 Daytona 500 champion Jimmie Johnson, former Formula 1, CART, and Indianapolis 500 champion Jacques Villeneuve, and former World of Outlaws champion Dave Blaney Tuesday, they will be allowed to sit anywhere they like in the main grandstand. The same goes on Wednesday when Johnson, Clint Bowyer, 1997 GIR NASCAR Busch Series winner Elliott Sadler, and 2008 Budweiser sponsoree Kasey Kahne take to the track.
For fans wishing to purchase the 2008 TRACK PACK, which encompasses the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series events here, the GIR ticket office will be open. Also, season ticket holders wishing to renew their TRACK PACKS can do so as well.
"If a fan likes the seat they're in, they can talk to one of our ticketing personnel who will be there and buy that seat for our oval events in 2008," said GIR Ticketing Department Director Dave Hurley. "Instead of just issuing a random seat to our customers, we want them to come out and see for themselves where they want to catch the action and what better time to do it than when we've got some of the biggest stars in our sport at Gateway."
Gates for the two-day testing open at 9 a.m. and testing is expected to end at approximately 5 p.m. Spectators are allowed to bring coolers, but they must fall within the same standards expected during regular GIR events. Refreshment stands will also be open for fans wanting some of the delicious food they can only find at Gateway International Raceway. For more information on what can and cannot be brought to the track, visit http://www.gatewayraceway.com/track/policies.php.
GIR Vice President and General Manager Lenny Batycki said area fans are encouraged to participate in this unique experience. "On Tuesday, we have some of racing's biggest champions in Jimmie Johnson, Jacques Villeneuve, and Dave Blaney," he said. "On Wednesday, in addition to Gateway's first Busch Series winner, Elliott Sadler, we have two of the hottest young drivers in NASCAR: Clint Bowyer and Kasey Kahne. With Clint being a Nextel Cup Series championship contender and Kasey preparing to carry the banner of Anheuser-Busch and Budweiser next year, this is a great chance to see some of the best and brightest in motorsports.
"Plus, fans have the opportunity to 'test drive' our grandstand seats for our NASCAR events in 2008. We're looking forward to having everyone here and having a big time."
