The Auto Club Speedway today announced it has partnered with Stater Bros. Supermarkets to celebrate NASCAR Day which will take place on May 16, 2008.  Between now and May 18, 2008 Stater Bros. locations throughout San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, Los Angeles, San Diego and Kern Counties will accept donations to support NASCAR Day at checkout aisles.  Those who make a $5 donation will receive a NASCAR Day collectable lapel pin in exchange for their contribution.

NASCAR Day, celebrated annually on the third Friday in May is an opportunity for fans, corporations, schools and organizations to help those in need.  In the Southern California community these funds have been used to support relief efforts for thousands of families displaced by the recent wild fire evacuations, to purchase life saving equipment at the Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital and to aid other local charities.

This year, The NASCAR Foundation and Auto Club Speedway have selected the Make-A-Wish® Foundation of Orange County and the Inland Empire as the recipient of NASCAR Day donations.  Contributions collected at Stater Bros. Supermarkets, as well as those made online or at the track, will benefit both Make-A-Wish® Foundation of Orange County and the Inland Empire and The NASCAR Foundation. 

“The Make-A-Wish Foundation does amazing work,” said Gillian Zucker, president of Auto Club Speedway. “There is nothing like seeing the look on a child’s face when they realize that one of their dreams is really coming true. Make-a-Wish makes that happen.” 

Zucker added that she hoped donations from the NASCAR Day funding drive would help expand the Foundation’s activities in the Inland Empire and Orange County. “The magic of this campaign is that everyone can help,” Zucker said. “All it takes is going to your local Stater Bros. and buying a pin to celebrate NASCAR Day.  It’s easy and something we all can do.”

The first wish that the Auto Club Speedway will help support is a meeting between 7-year old Evan, from Apple Valley, CA and NASCAR driver Tony Stewart.  The wish will take place on the second weekend of May at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina.  The Auto Club Speedway will host a send-off party for Evan at the Speedway as well as a homecoming event on NASCAR Day after Evan’s wish has been granted.

NASCAR Day collectable lapel pins are also available for a $5 donation at the track or online at www.autoclubspeedway.com/NASCARday.  Groups or companies interested in participating in NASCAR Day fundraising activities can contact The NASCAR Foundation number at 704-348-9630. 

For more information visit www.autoclubspeedway.com/NASCARday or call (909) 429-5000.

About Auto Club Speedway

To purchase tickets to Labor Day’s biggest party, the Pepsi 500 weekend at the Auto Club Speedway of Southern California, please call 800-944-RACE or log on to www.racetickets.com.  Fans are encouraged to come early to races and take advantage of all the attractions in the Opportunity, California FanZone.  The Opportunity, California FanZone is a multi-million dollar facility enhancement including delicious food at Apex by Wolfgang Puck, the Speedway's official retail store called Impulse, amazing sounds of live bands at the entertainment stage, and shade and leisure areas.  For more information visit www.autoclubspeedway.com.

The Auto Club Speedway of Southern California is owned by International Speedway Corporation, a leading promoter of motorsports activities in the United States, currently promoting more than 100 events annually.  For more information, visit the company’s website at www.iscmotorsports.com.

About Stater Bros.

Stater Bros. was founded in 1936 in Yucaipa, California, and has grown steadily through the years to become the largest privately owned supermarket chain in Southern California and the largest employer in both San Bernardino County and Riverside County, with annual sales in 2007 of $3.7 billion.  In 2007, Stater Bros. contributed over $15 million in support of nonprofit organizations in the communities it serves.  The Company operates 165 Supermarkets, and there are over 19,000 members of the Stater Bros. “Family” of Employees.