[media-credit name=”charlottemotorspeedway.com” align=”alignright” width=”300″]
[/media-credit]Monday, April 23, 2012
One Hot Fan Night to Kick Off May Race Month at Charlotte With Matt Kenseth and a Drive-In Race Broadcast on World’s Largest HDTV
In 1992, Charlotte Motor Speedway became the first modern speedway to host a race under the lights in prime-time. (Credit CMS)
CONCORD, N.C. (April 23, 2012) – Charlotte Motor Speedway will wave the green flag on its mega month of May with One Hot Fan Night, a free event featuring appearances by NASCAR celebrities and a showing of the historic 1992 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on the world’s largest HDTV.
On Tuesday, May 1, the speedway will open the infield at 5:30 p.m. to fans for a drive-in-movie style night of entertainment. Scheduled to appear are Matt Kenseth, the 2004 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race winner, NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton and NASCAR on Fox broadcasters Larry McReynolds and Mike Joy. The NASCAR personalities will participate in a fan forum at 7 p.m. before the showing of the 1992 All-Star Race known as “One Hot Night” at approximately 7:30 p.m.
Charlotte Motor Speedway made motorsports history in 1992 when the All-Star Race became the first modern superspeedway race run under the lights in prime-time. The race produced one of NASCAR’s most memorable moments when Dale Earnhardt spun out of the lead on the last lap and Davey Allison crashed past Kyle Petty at the finish line to take the victory.
“This year marks the 20th anniversary of a night when something happened at Charlotte Motor Speedway that had never been done before,” said Marcus Smith, president and general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway.
“Lighting this speedway was a huge undertaking and it ushered in a new era for racing and for current drivers like Matt Kenseth. Although I grew up around motorsports, there was just something about that night and that race that just grabbed me and pulled me in. I knew I would be a race fan for life.
“We want to celebrate that historic race with the fans and some of the men who took part in it,” Smith added. “And I’m looking forward to hearing what Matt has to say about the upcoming May races. As a past winner of both the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race and the Coca-Cola 600, he’s got a great perspective on what it takes to win at Charlotte.”
In 1992, McReynolds was the crew chief for Allison and Pemberton sat atop the pit box for Petty. Joy called the race from the television broadcast booth for The Nashville Network. Doug Rice, the emcee for One Hot Fan Night and currently the voice of the Performance Racing Network, was the speedway’s public address announcer.
In addition to the fan forum and HDTV race broadcast, the POWERADE Play Zone will be open in the infield from 5:30 – 7 p.m. with inflatable bounce houses for the kids and an appearance by Lug Nut, the world’s fastest mascot. Charlotte Motor Speedway show cars will also be on hand for photo opportunities and a concession stand with $1 hot dogs, popcorn and Coca-Cola soft drinks will be open. Admission to One Hot Fan Night is free.
Fans can take advantage of special offers on May race tickets in the speedway ticket office or by calling 1-800-455-FANS. Frontstretch two-packs for either the May 19 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race or May 27 Coca-Cola 600 with great views of pit road and the world’s largest HDTV are on sale for just $99.
For daily updates on May race activities, connect with Charlotte Motor Speedway by following on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CLTMotorSpdwy or become a Facebook fan at www.facebook.com/charlottemotorspeedway.
