POSTED 4-2-09 ECONOMAKI AND SCHRADER TO BE HONORED

Economaki and Schrader to be Honored at the Rockingham Speedway FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Charles Hudson 910-205-8800 ROCKINGHAM, N.C. (April 2, 2009) – Last season, Rockingham Speedway honored three of NASCAR’s greats and made them a permanent part of the historic track. The Benny Parsons Tower, the Papa Joe Hendrick Garage Area and the Ricky Rudd Grandstands were all named for three men instrumental to the speedway’s legacy. This year Chris Economaki and Ken Schrader will be honored by the speedway with the naming of the Media Center and Turn Four grandstands, respectively. The Chris Economaki Media Center is dedicated to the man who has covered the sport of auto racing for more than 70 years as a journalist, track announcer, radio and television announcer and has been the editor for National Speed Sport News since 1950. He was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1994 and the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 1993. “When you get old, people give you things and I have become humbled by the number of things people have given me in recent years,” said Economaki. “Having spent the majority of my lifetime at race tracks, I’m proud to have my name associated with a race track as rich in history as Rockingham Speedway.” “I first met Chris at a sprint car race when I was a seventeen year old driver,” said Rockingham Speedway President, Andy Hillenburg. “The sport and media coverage we have today would not be the same without the foundation he helped build and I want fans to know it.” Ken Schrader is no stranger to Rockingham Speedway - he earned six top-fives at the track including a second place finish in 1991 during his Cup career at the track. He also had 10 top-10’s at the historic track as well as one pole in 1990. “Ken Schrader is the definition of the term ‘racer.’ He has been and always will be a fan favorite and a personal favorite as well,” said Hillenburg. “The first time I raced at Daytona was in his car as well as my first win there. We share the same passion for the sport and we are very proud to have his name permanently displayed at the Rockingham Speedway.” Schrader just missed winning last year’s ARCA race when he finished second in the first race since the track was reopened. He will be looking to improve by one position with the second running of the race on April 19th. “I am honored but a little bit surprised,” said Schrader. “I’ve known Andy since before he moved down here and I’ve always been a big fan of his and I think it is pretty amazing what he has been able to accomplish.” “I always did like it [racing at Rockingham] just because of the way the track would work on the tires and to do well you really had to use your foot there a lot. When we got to run the ARCA race there last year it was like ‘damn I knew this place was fun but I forgot how much fun it was.’ I am looking forward to going back this year.” Carolina 200 race weekend kicks off on Friday April 17th with Thunderfest in downtown Rockingham from 11:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. There will be a hauler parade through downtown Rockingham at noon on Friday for the day-long celebration as well as most of the drivers signing autographs at 6:00 p.m. On track activities begin Friday as well with UARA practice and qualifying. Saturday April 18th will feature the UARA race and practice and qualifying for the ARCA cars. The Carolina 200 is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Sunday April 19th. Reserved seat tickets for the Carolina 200 start at $20 with kids 12 and under admitted for only $15 in any section with paid adult but with the Buy For Sunday, Bonus For Saturday ticket promotion that runs until April 10th, fans will receive a free UARA race ticket. After April 10th, tickets for the UARA race and ARCA practice and qualifying are only $15 in advance or $20 the day of the race with kids 12 and under free with a paid adult for general admission seating. Friday is free admission for everyone. For more information about the Carolina 200 or to order tickets, please contact the speedway at (910) 205-8800 or visit our website at http://www.rockinghamspeedway.com/.