Race gets second sponsor

NASHVILLE — The Nashville Superspeedway in Gladeville is revving up for its next race, this time with a new sponsor.
The NASCAR Busch Series' Federated Auto Parts 300, presented for the first time by Dollar General, will be June 9 at the track.
Speedway officials said the new partnership with Nashville-based Dollar General will ensure the race will receive more local promotional opportunities, which they hope lead to better ticket sales.
"Partnering with Dollar General on this scale is one more example of local companies recognzing the significance of motorsports in Middle Tennessee," Nashville Superspeedway Vice President and General Manager Cliff Hawks said.
Dollar General officials said sponsoring the race was a good move for their company, too.
"The communities in this area are very important to Dollar General and to partner with the Nashville Superspeedway only makes sense for us," Monty Bailey, the company's motorsports manager, said.
The race will be run on a one-day schedule, with qualifying at 2:05 p.m. and the race following at 6.
Racing won't be the only thing to offer for spectators. Country artist Phil Vassar will be perform a concert at 4 p.m. Julie Roberts will sing the national anthem. Ft. Campbell's Screaming Eagles are set to perform a pre-race aerial demonstration before driver introductions.
Scott Wimmer, the driver of Richard Childress Racing's No. 29 Holiday Inn Chevrolet, is excited to return to the Glade. In six previous starts there, Wimmer has two top-five finishes and five top-10s, including a seventh-place run in April's Pepsi 300.
"There are other concrete tracks, but Nashville is special. It's a neat racetrack because it allows for two-wide racing. Other concrete tracks are only single-wide," he said during a media luncheon Monday.
Wimmer said Nashville's concrete surface provides for a more consistent race. Asphalt tracks "get greasy" and change during a race.
Wimmer, a Wisconsin native who bought his first late-model racer from Matt Kenseth in 1993, has been racing in Nashville for several years.
"I love coming here. I came here to race at the old fairgrounds speedway. It's a special area with great race fans," he said.
There is one aspect of the Nashville race which sets it apart from other events—the guitar trophy for the winner.
"Even Nextel Cup racers want to run this race just for the guitar," Wimmer said.

Race day schedule
8 a.m. Parking lots open
1 p.m. Gates and Fanwalk open
2:05 p.m. Qualifying
4 p.m. Phil Vassar concert at south end of grandstands
5:30 p.m. Driver introdutions
6 p.m. Federated Auto Parts 300 presented by Dollar General NASCAR Busch Series race
Tickets are available at 1-866-RACE-TIX or www.nashvillesuperspeedway.com