RICK CARELLI AT IRWINDALE

IRWINDALE, California - - One of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series most popular drivers and brightest driving stars will be making his first public appearance since a thought-to-be-career-ending wreck at Memphis Motorsport Park earlier this season. Rick Carelli will meet fans and sign autographs at Irwindale Speedway on behalf of High Hopes, a foundation specializing in the rehabilitation of head injury victims. Hours of this special appearance will be from 4 to 6 pm on Saturday afternoon, August 21st.

Also know as "The High Plains Drifter", Carelli was the 1993 Winston West Series champion and series Rookie-of-the-year in 1992. His wire-to-wire race victory at the WWS race in Coos Bay, Oregon in July of 1993 is one that they all still talk about. Carelli rates 14th on the all-time NASCAR Winston West Series money winners list with a grand total of $264,234 and his total of nine WWS race victories ranks him 12th on the all-time winners' list.

Carelli resides in the Denver area and is planning a return to the driver's seat, "Sooner than some people expect ."

CONTACT: JUDY OLSON / HIGH HOPES (909) 629 - 8919