• Upwards Of 250 Competitors Expected For First-Year Initiative At TMS To Help Curb Illegal Street Racing
• Racing Program Complemented By “Show & Shine” Competition
• Event Will Feature “First” Fourth Of July Fireworks Display In Metroplex on June 3

FORT WORTH, Texas (June 29, 2009) – The Scion Drag-n-Brag program, an initiative to help curtail illegal street racing in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and provide a safer environment for racing enthusiasts, is expected to draw more than 250 competitors for Friday’s opening night at Texas Motor Speedway.

Texas Motor Speedway will convert its pit lane on the 1.5-mile, high-banked oval into a 1/8-mile drag strip to accommodate the racing that will run each Friday evening for a six-week period that concludes Aug. 7. There will be four divisions – ATI Success Driven Tuner, Street Bandits, Sportsman and Street Outlaws – based on the type of vehicle, engine and modifications the competitors bring to race. The match-up draw in each division is random and only the winners advance to the next round of competition.

Each week, the division winner will receive three points and a trophy, runner-up two points and one point will be given to all competitors regardless of finish. Two bonus points also will be awarded to competitors at the conclusion of the season for racing all six weeks. The points leaders in each division following the Aug. 7 finale will be crowned champions and recognized during pre-race activities for the Nov. 8 Dickies 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway.

TMS has partnered with three local Scion dealerships – Freeman Scion of Hurst, Scion of Fort Worth and Texas Scion of Grapevine – to initiate this racing program to curb area street racing. According to various statistics, 49 out of every 1,000 illegal street racers are injured on a national level and the highest fatality rate (58%) of that group is between the ages of 15 and 29.

“Judging from the response we received from car clubs, discussion forums and racing enthusiasts, we should have a tremendous turnout for opening night,” Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage said. “To win a race where the NASCAR and IndyCar stars annually do is a cool deal.”

The racing will be complemented by the “Show & Shine” program, in which car enthusiasts will show off their prized vehicles in the NASCAR Sprint Cup garage, take them for a parade lap on the oval and compete for top honors each week. Trophies will be awarded for “Best in Show” overall and “Best in Class” for models 1972 and older, and 1973 to current.

Opening night also will feature a fireworks display to celebrate the Fourth of July. It will be the “first” official fireworks display for the holiday as it is scheduled to begin at 12:01 a.m. Saturday.

The South Infield Tunnel and Gate 3 on the frontstretch open at 6 p.m. CT, with practice and the “Show & Shine” being held from 6:20 to 8:20 p.m. The “Show & Shine” parade lap will begin at 8:30 p.m. Opening ceremonies begin at 9 p.m., followed by the racing program at 9:10 p.m. Entry fees are $20 for either the Scion Drag-n-Brag or “Show & Shine,” and $30 for a combination entry.

The Scion Drag-n-Brag is open to non-competitors and admission for the general public for the infield/grandstands is $7. Fans can park for free in front of Gate 3 for the grandstands or the Express Lot for easier access to the infield. Click here for more information and official rules on Scion Drag-n-Brag.