It’s that time of year again and you know what that means – fast cars and action-packed excitement will soon fill the air at Nazareth Speedway and your vehicle could be the first one on-track. Nazareth Speedway have announced that they will be opening their gates for the 2004 season on April 3, for their second annual “Opening Day” event. That’s right, the racing season is well underway but before the stars of NASCAR come to Nazareth Speedway in May, fans will have another opportunity to drive the “World’s Fastest Mile.”
“Last year was our first ‘Opening Day’ event and we had a great turnout,” said Nazareth Speedway president Craig Rust. “We are hoping to generate that same type of enthusiasm and are able to provide Victory Junction Gang Camp with a beneficial contribution again this year.” A portion of the proceeds from Opening Day will be donated to Kyle Petty’s Victory Junction Gang Camp.
For the second year in a row, any fan with a valid drivers license will be given the opportunity to drive the same track as NASCAR stars - Ron Hornaday Jr. and Randy LaJoie, for three controlled laps behind the 2005 GM Monte Carlo, the official pace car of Nazareth Speedway. Opening Day at Nazareth Speedway will also feature a live radio remote, courtesy of CAT Country 96FM, and fans will have the opportunity to purchase a commemorative picture of their cars on track.
Not only will fans be able to drive the same track as two-time Indianapolis 500 winner - Helio Castroneves, but Opening Day also marks the last day to purchase tickets for the 2004 season at an advanced discounted price. This will be the last-chance to save as much as $11 for General Admission or Reserved Grandstand tickets for the Goulds Pumps ITT Industries 200, NASCAR Busch Series on May 22-23 or for the Firestone Indy 225, IRL IndyCar Series on August 27-29. Fans can also save an additional $10 if they reserve a campsite by April 3rd.
The cost for three laps around the one-mile oval in your own vehicle, or in the official pace car, will be $10. Gate 1 will open at 10:00 am and close at 4:00 pm. Motorcycles are not permitted on the Speedway.
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Victory Junction Gang Camp, a charity founded by Paul Newman and Kyle and Pattie Petty designed to raise funds to build a medical camp for children and their families living with chronic and/or life-threatening illnesses. For information on the charity, please visit victoryjunction.org.
The season begins on Opening Day, April 3rd. Two race weekends are featured on the 2004 schedule at Nazareth Speedway, highlighted by both the Goulds Pumps ITT Industries 200, NASCAR Busch Series on May 23, and by the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series, returning on August 29 in the Firestone Indy 225. This year children 12 and under are FREE with the purchase of an adult general admission ticket. Tickets for the 2004 racing season are on sale NOW at an advanced price through Opening Day on April 3. For tickets and information, please contact the Nazareth Speedway ticket office at 888.629.RACE or log on to the official Nazareth Speedway website at nazarethspeedway.com. Nazareth Speedway – Live Faster.
