Track Walk and Better Half Dash among Events Supporting Speedway Children’s Charities during Charlotte Week

CONCORD, N.C. (Oct. 6, 2011) – Fans are gearing up for the only night race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup and the Charlotte Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities is providing extra fun with plenty of events scheduled, Oct. 12-15, during Bank of America 500 Week at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

SCC Annual Track Walk

Fans will have a chance to see Charlotte Motor Speedway from a whole new angle when they participate in Speedway Children's Charities annual Track Walk, Oct. 15. Participants will get to see just how tall the 24-degree banking is in the turns and cross the start/finish line of the 1.5-mile superspeedway prior to the start of the only night race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, the Bank of America 500. The event starts at 9:45 a.m. with the walk beginning at 10 a.m. Donations for participating in the Track Walk can be made online for $25 in advance or $35 at Charlotte Motor Speedway during race week, Oct. 13-15. Participants who preregister will receive a Track Walk t-shirt. Money raised will help fund grants that continue work in supporting local children in need. Children 14 and under may walk for free with a paid adult; one child per adult registration. To register for the walk online, visit www.charlotte.speedwaycharities.org.

Better Half Dash

The Better Half Dash, a charity race supporting Speedway Children's Charities (SCC) and Motor Racing Outreach (MRO), will take place on Oct. 15, prior to the start of the Bank of America 500. The race will pit the women of NASCAR against each other in equally prepared Bandolero cars provided by U.S. Legend Cars International. The race will start at approximately 2:30 p.m. and will be 25 laps in length. The purse for the Better Half Dash will be paid to the driver's charity of choice, with $5,000 going to the winner's charity, $3,000 for the second-place finisher and $2,000 for third. Fans will also have the opportunity to donate $10 to MRO and SCC through the completion of the Bank of America 500 by texting "MOTOR" to 20222. For more information on the Better Half Dash or to make a donation, visit the MRO website at www.motorracingoutreach.com.

Give Kids a Smile

On Oct. 15, the American Dental Association and volunteer dentists will provide free dental evaluations, fluoride treatments and dental sealants to underserved children at the Powerade Play Zone located in the new Fan Zone, outside Turns 1 and 2 near the speedway's main entrance. Organizers 3M ESPE Dental and Henry Schein Cares will sponsor a tent for volunteer dentists and other dental team volunteers to provide the free services and educate children about good oral health habits. During the Bank of America 500, NASCAR fans can cheer on driver of the No. 16 Roush-Fenway Ford, Greg Biffle, whose 3M car and uniform also will sport the logos of Give Kids A Smile, 3M and Henry Schein Cares.

Ride of a Lifetime Online Auction

Speedway Children's Charities will provide lucky race fans with the opportunity to ride in the parade lap prior to the Bank of America 500 on Oct. 15 through an online auction. The fans with the winning bid will take a parade lap around Charlotte Motor Speedway with their favorite NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver and help support children in the Charlotte region. Now through Oct. 15, fans can visit www.sccrideofalifetime.com to bid on this once in a lifetime experience.

Hot Rods at the Race Shop

Stewart-Haas Racing is hosting its inaugural Hot Rods at the Race Shop event benefiting Speedway Children's Charities on Sunday, Oct. 16. Fans will get to see some of Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman's personal hot rods at the Stewart-Haas race shop, enter in a 50/50 raffle and drive to zMAX Dragway to take a drive down the world's only four-lane, all-concrete drag strip. Registration is just $10 in advance or $15 the day of the event. For more information, visit www.stewarthaasracing.com/hotrod.

Princess "4" a Day and Toy "4" a Boy

The Miss Motor Speedway Organization will bring its Princess "4" a Day and Toy "4" a Boy programs to the Powerade Play Zone located in the new Fan Zone for Bank of America 500 Race Week. For a small donation, girls can "get their glamour on" with a princess makeover including make-up, hair and nails, along with a "glamour shot" photo, gift bag and a Miss Motor Speedway autograph card. Boys will receive a toy car. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Charlotte Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities.

SCC Information Booths and Golf Cart Shuttles

Speedway Children's Charities (SCC) volunteers will be on hand to provide golf cart rides throughout Bank of America 500 Week. The rides are free for fans and donations can be made to support Charlotte-area children in need. SCC will also have information booths in the family seating area in the Toyota Fourth Turn Terrace and in the Powerade Play Zone located in the new Fan Zone, outside Turns 1 and 2 near the speedway's main entrance. Fans can learn about how SCC supports Charlotte-area children in need and will also be able to make donations.

Red Bucket Brigade

The Red Bucket Brigade will be at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Oct. 15 to help raise donations for the Charlotte Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities (SCC). Fans can give donations to volunteers wearing red SCC t-shirts carrying red buckets. Donations will go towards helping Charlotte-area children in need.

There are Speedway Children's Charities chapters at eight Speedway Motorsports, Inc., facilities: Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Infineon Raceway, Kentucky Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway. Throughout the year, Speedway Children's Charities will host a number of charitable events at each track. For more information on Speedway Children's Charities – Charlotte Chapter and upcoming events, visit www.charlotte.speedwaycharities.org.