CONCORD, N.C. (Sept. 22, 2012) – Fans interested in attending Bojangles’ Pole Night at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Oct. 11 can now purchase a limited-edition collectible ticket featuring four of NASCAR’s greatest racers.
The ticket, of which only 2,500 were printed, pays homage to NASCAR Hall of Famers Bobby Allison and Cale Yarborough and future Hall of Famers Jimmie Johnson and Mark Martin. All four NASCAR icons are three-time winners of the Bank of America 500, which is scheduled for Oct. 13.
Allison and Yarborough dominated the 500-mile race in the 1970s, with one of the two drivers celebrating in Victory Lane five times in nine years. Allison won back-to-back in 1971 and ’72, while Yarborough took home the Bruton Smith trophy in 1973. Allison won his third and final Bank of America 500 in 1978, followed again by Yarborough in 1979. In what proved to be the final NASCAR victory of his career, Yarborough picked up his third Bank of America 500 win in 1985.
The 1990s belonged to Martin, who notched all three of his wins in Charlotte’s fall classic within a six-year period, in 1992, ’95 and ’98. Martin has long said Charlotte Motor Speedway is one of his favorite tracks.
“That place means a lot to most of the NASCAR folks because it’s kind of a home track,” Martin said. “The track meant a lot to me because I was so comfortable on it and it was one of the earlier big speedways that I got to drive on.”
The track is also special for Johnson, who became only the fourth driver to ever win three Bank of America 500s with a win in 2009. Johnson’s first two Bank of America victories came in Saturday night showdowns in 2004 and 2005.
“Charlotte Motor Speedway has made a lot of history over the years, and these four drivers have been a huge part of that,” said Marcus Smith, president and general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway. “We’re proud to honor their accomplishments with this limited-edition ticket and we look forward to writing more history during the Bank of America 500 race weekend here at the greatest place to see the race.”
If either Johnson or Martin manages to win the 2012 edition of the Bank of America 500, they will move to the top of the all-time win list for the annual October event at Charlotte Motor Speedway, making the limited edition ticket even more collectable.
“Charlotte’s always been one my favorite tracks and it’s a tough place to win,” said Martin. “I’ve been fortunate to have some success there, particularly in October, and man, it would mean a lot to become the only driver to win four times at the 500. For right now, though, that’s pretty good company to keep with two hall-of-famers and Jimmie Johnson.”
Fans interested in purchasing the limited edition ticket featuring Allison, Johnson, Martin and Yarborough can call 1-800-455-FANS (3267). The tickets are $20.
The Chase for the Sprint Cup heads to Charlotte Motor Speedway for Bojangles’ Pole Night on Oct. 11. All 12 Chase contenders, as well as the rest of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series field, will battle for the top starting spot in the Bank of America 500, the only Saturday night race in the Chase.
Also part of Bojangles’ Pole Night is the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour, which makes its second trip to Charlotte Motor Speedway for the UNOH Southern Slam 150. That race will be held on the frontstretch quarter-mile and will serve as the season finale for the stars of the touring modified division.
Bojangles’ Pole Night will also feature the return of the Better Half Dash, with the ladies of NASCAR battling on the frontstretch quarter-mile in a charity Bandolero race. Proceeds from the 25-lap shootout benefit Motor Racing Outreach and Speedway Children’s Charities.
On Oct. 12 the NASCAR Nationwide Series returns to Charlotte for the Dollar General 300. Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. will look to continue his pursuit of a second series championship as he battles Elliott Sadler, Sam Hornish, Jr., Danica Patrick and the rest of the NASCAR Nationwide Series competitors.
Finally, on Oct. 13, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series takes to Charlotte Motor Speedway for the 52nd running of the Bank of America 500. Who will leave Charlotte as the front runner in the Chase for the Sprint Cup? You’ve got to be there to find out.
To purchase tickets, call the Charlotte Motor Speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com. To stay up to date with everything going on at the greatest place to see the race, log on to www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or connect with Charlotte Motor Speedway on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CLTMotorSpdwy or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/charlottemotorspeedway.
