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June 29, 2006 - Two of the Rock River Valley’s premier family entertainment choices are offering a unique package of summer entertainment, including Roscoe native and racing star Danica Patrick. The Rockford RiverHawks professional baseball team and the Rockford Speedway are partnering to offer fans the opportunity to enjoy an unparalleled action experience: NASCAR, Indy Racing League, and professional baseball—the National Pastime. The beneficiaries will include the Muscular Dystrophy Association, which is fighting to end the disease.
On Thursday, July 27, RiverHawks chairman and area developer Kurt Carlson will bring several nationally known and decorated NASCAR cars from his personal collection, featuring a 1987 Monte Carlo driven by Terry LaBonte and Darrel Waltrip to 23 Winston Cup victories, to RiverHawks Stadium. Also present will be a 1939 Ford, which was driven in the first NASCAR race on the beach at Daytona, Fla. in 1949. The entire ballpark will be turned into a NASCAR-themed park for the evening.
Winners of a contest that night will have the opportunity to ride with Kurt in the cars at top speed around the Rockford Speedway track on Wednesday, August 2.
On Tuesday, July 18, Indy Racing League star Patrick will appear at RiverHawks Stadium, as will her merchandise trailer and the 2005 Indianapolis 500 pace car, a Corvette brought in by FatWallet.com President Tim Storm. Danica will be signing her book “Danica: Crossing The Line” from 5-6:15 p.m. She will also take part in the ceremonial first pitch and will be autographing all game-worn RiverHawks jerseys. The RiverHawks will play that night in jerseys modeled after her racing suit. The jerseys will be auctioned off at the end of the game with all proceeds going to the MDA.
“The family entertainment offered by the RiverHawks and the Speedway enhance the quality of life and economic development of the entire region,” RiverHawks general manager Josh Olerud said. “Fans crave personal experiences in addition to being spectators, and we are grateful to Kurt and the Speedway for this unique offering. We are also grateful to Danica and the people at MDA. Our goal is to make this the largest Midwest fundraiser for MDA in 2006, and invite all fans – whether they be fans of baseball, motor sports, or simply fun – to come out and support this community effort”.
On Wednesday, August 2, the Speedway will host RiverHawks Day, with team mascot Rocko the RiverHawk starting the races and baseball-themed activities available for all ages.
“We are excited to help bring these incredible events to racing fans in the region,” Speedway GM Gregg McKarns said. “Once you experience personally the thrill of racing, you are hooked, and Danica’s success shows that out there in the Rock Valley is a youngster with the talent to make it to the top. Those kids need to be part of these events.”
Fans can purchase a combination ticket package for all three events, which will include an opportunity to meet Patrick at RiverHawks Stadium as she signs her book. The first 200 fans to purchase combo-pack tickets will receive commemorative T-shirts marking the event. Ticket packages are only $20, and $15 for children 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased at the Rockford Speedway and at the RiverHawks Stadium box office.
“The partnership with the Rockford RiverHawks has been nothing short of spectacular,” MDA event coordinator Shondra Winebough said. “We are very excited about this additional event as we continue to raise more money and awareness for muscular dystrophy in the Rock River Valley.”
Ticket information is available at the respective web sites; www.rockfordriverhawks.com and www.rockfordspeedway.com, or by calling the RiverHawks at (815) 885-2255, or the Rockford Speedway at (815) 633-1500.
Rockford RiverHawks Rockford Speedway
4503 Interstate Blvd. P.O. Box 1000
Loves Park, IL 61111 Rockford, IL 61105
(815) 885-2255 (815) 633-1500
(815) 885-2204 FAX (815) 633-7093 FAX
www.rockfordriverhawks.com www.rockfordspeedway.com |
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