IRWINDALE, California – It’s Showdown time with the 5th annual NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown taking center stage at Irwindale Speedway on Friday and Saturday (October 19-20).
The Showdown features the top drivers from the NASCAR development series including the Busch East Series and the Grand National West Series in what has quickly become known as “the Daytona 500” of short track racing. Drivers to watch include 17-year old rookie sensation and Busch East Series Champion Joey Logano (No. 10 Joe Gibbs Driven Chevrolet) and Grand National West Series Champion Mike David (No. 2 Bennett Lane Winery Ford) who will be among 40 drivers competing in a 250-lap race on Saturday night with close to $417,980 in posted awards up for grabs.
New for 2007 is the addition of the King Taco 150-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Super Late Model race which will take place on Friday night in which 40 drivers will compete for $50,000 in posted awards including a $10,000 payout to the winner. Rip Michels, Irwindale Speedway’s all-time race winner with 55 victories and the 2007 ACDelco Super Late Model division champion will be one of the drivers to watch during this race. Following the Super Late Model race will be a 50-lap Grand National Open Qualifying race to determine the field for Saturday’s race
Spectators attending the event each day are encouraged to arrive early to participate in the Toyota Tundra Prove It! event and test drive a Tundra on a special course layout in the Speedway’s parking lot. Toyota will also have several inactive displays and motor racing exhibits for spectators to participate in. Spectators who drive a Toyota to the Showdown event will receive complimentary parking.
The Prove It! activity begins at 3 p.m. and spectator grandstand gates open at 4 p.m. each day. Friday’s racing activities include Grand National qualifying at 5 p.m., the King Taco 150 at 6:15 p.m. and the Grand National Open race at approximately 7:30 p.m.
On Saturday, the King Taco fan appreciation autograph session with drivers and cars on the track will begin at 5:30 p.m. The Toyota All-Star Showdown 250-lap race will begin at 7:30 p.m. The event schedule is listed below.
Tickets for all Irwindale Speedway events including the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown are available for purchase at the Speedway ticket office, by calling (626) 358-1100 and online at www.irwindalespeedway.com.
Irwindale Speedway is located on 500 Speedway Drive off of Live Oak Ave. and I-605, between the 10 and 210 freeways in Irwindale, Calif.
2007 NASCAR TOYOTA ALL-STAR SHOWDOWN SCHEDULE
NASCAR Grand National Division & NASCAR WHELEN All-American Series Super Late Model Division
EVENT SCHEDULE
Friday, October 19, 2007:
3:00p.m. Tundra Prove It! Drive Course Open to Public
4:00p.m. Spectator Grandstand Gates Open
10:a.m. Practice
2:30p.m. Super Late Model Qualifying
5:00p.m. Grand National Qualifying
6:15p.m. King Taco 150 NASCAR WHELEN All-American Super Late Model Race
7:30 p.m. Start of the Grand National ‘Open’ Race
Saturday, October 20, 2007;
3:00p.m. Tundra Prove It! Drive Course Open to Public
4:00p.m. Spectator Grandstand Gates Open
5:30p.m. King Taco Fan Appreciation Autograph Session all cars on front straightaway of track (open to fans)
6:30p.m. End Fan Appreciation Autograph Session – clear fans from front stretch
6:30p.m. Opening Ceremonies
7:00p.m. Driver Introductions
7:30p.m. NASCAR TOYOTA All-Star Showdown Grand National Division Race – 250 laps
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE - SUBJECT TO CHANGE (10/17/07)
