IT’S SHOWTIME AT IRWINDALE SPEEDWAY WITH THE NASCAR TOYOTA ALL-STAR SHOWDOWN

Source: Kevin O'Brien
Date: 10/17/2006

It’s Showtime at Irwindale Speedway with the 4th annual NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown taking place this Friday and Saturday (October 20-21).

The NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown is an invitational race for NASCAR’s best regional series racers from across the nation with nearly $500,000 in prize money up for grabs. Drivers and their teams are invited to compete, based on the final point standings for their series. The top 15 driver from each of the two series of the NASCAR Grand National Division – which includes the Busch East Series and AutoZone West Series – are invited. In addition, the top 10 drivers from each of the four series that comprise the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division are invited, including the Midwest Series, Northwest Series, Southeast Series and Southwest Series.

On Friday, twin 50-lap qualifying races will be held with fully inverted fields (with series champions and points leaders starting from the rear of the field) to determine the starting lineups for Saturday’s main events.

On Saturday, two main events are held. A race-within-a-race also determines a “team” championship. Drivers are scored as a “team” with their fellow series drivers during the opening segments of each race. Once the “team” championship is settled and the race is restarted after a 10-minute competition break, it is every driver for themselves.

The NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown is a showcase for the best racing talent in the nation. Many participants have “graduated” to NASCAR’s three national series including 2005 winner David Gilliland of Chino Hills, Calif. who competes fulltime in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series and Auggie Vidovich of Lakeside, Calif., who competes in the NASCAR Busch Series.

Activities kick off on Thursday, October 19 at 8 p.m. in the Speedway’s north parking lot where the public is invited, free of charge, to meet many of the driver and crew members competing in the event. Race cars will be on display and local favorite Philip Sayce will perform a music concert. On Friday, spectator gates open at 4 p.m. with the first qualifying race beginning at 8 p.m. On Saturday, spectator gates open at 4 p.m. King Taco fan appreciation autograph session will take place at 5 p.m. on the track with all of the drivers and crew members. The first championship race is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. The event schedule is listed below.

Tickets for all Irwindale Speedway events including the October 20-21 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.

2006 NASCAR TOYOTA ALL-STAR SHOWDOWN EVENT SCHEDULE

NASCAR Grand National Division & NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division

Thursday, October 19, 2006:

8:00 p.m. Meet the drivers; see the cars and Philip Sayce concert

Friday, October 20, 2006;

4:00p.m. Spectator Gates Open

7:00p.m Opening Ceremonies

7:30p.m. Driver Introductions–Start/Finish Line Stage, Elite Drivers First, followed by GN

8:05p.m. 1st 50-lap Elite Division Qualifying Race

8:50p.m. approx. 2nd 50-lap Elite Division Qualifying Race

9:35p.m. approx. 1st 50-lap Grand National Division Qualifying Race

10:05p.m. approx. 2nd 50-lap Grand National Division Qualifying Race

Saturday, October 21, 2006;

4:00p.m. Spectator Gates Open

5:00p.m. King Taco Fan Appreciation Autograph Session all cars on front straightaway of track (open to fans)

6:00p.m. Secure Track / End ‘Pit Party / Autograph Session – clear fans from front stretch

6:15p.m. Opening Ceremonies

6:30p.m. Driver Introductions

6:50p.m. Clear all personnel from front stretch

7:05p.m. Elite Division Race – 125-laps – 10 minute break at

lap 75.

9:15p.m. approx. Grand National Division Race – 150 laps – 10 minute break at lap 100

Times and activities subject to change

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