RoundAbout Entertainment Guide - Auto Racing Action in Sparta

Auto Racing Action in Sparta

Eleven races, top country artists pack
2005 Kentucky Speedway schedule

Staff Report

SPARTA, Ky. (December 2004) – The Kentucky Speedway will pack 11 races and country music artists Travis Tritt, The Charlie Daniels Band, Billy Ray Cyrus, SHeDAISY and the Kentucky Headhunters into five weekends of entertainment in 2005. The new season begins May 14 and ends Sept. 10.

Photo by Jim Chagares

IndyCar driver Adrian Fernandez during last
season’s race.

The race schedule features main events with the NASCAR Busch Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Indy Racing League IndyCar Series, ARCA RE/MAX Series and NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division Southeast Series. Four races will be broadcast to national television audiences over networks such as ABC, ESPN, FX and speed Channel.
The Kentucky Head-hunters lead off the speedway concert line-up on May 14 and will be followed by superstar Travis Tritt on June 18, Billy Ray Cyrus on July 9, SHeDAISY on Aug. 14 and The Charlie Daniels Band on Sept. 10. All entertainers will perform on the WUBE-FM B-105 Country Music Stage located on the Turn 1 Concourse.
“We’re excited about the high-caliber race and concert lineup we’ll present in 2005 as well as the new VIP concert area and Outback Steakhouse Tailgate Parties we’re offering our season ticket members,” Kentucky Speedway Executive Vice President and General Manager Mark F. Cassis said.
“Fans will have the chance to see popular competitors from top racing series and enjoy great concerts throughout the season.”
Season ticket packages went on sale Monday, Nov. 15, and begin at $200. New and renewing members will be able to attend Outback Steakhouse Tailgate Parties during the June, July and August weekends and enjoy access to a VIP concert area.
Members also will receive one general admission pole event voucher and cold pit pass with each season ticket purchased, the opportunity to purchase pole event tickets at half price, and a preferred parking pass that can be exchanged for free access to general camping areas. Season seat locations can be renewed each year.
Packages can be reserved online at www.kentuckyspeedway.
com, by phone at (859) 578-2300 or at the speedway ticket office located at 2216 Dixie Hwy., Ste. 200, in Ft. Mitchell, Ky.
A mail in order form also is available on the tickets pages of the official track website. Single event ticket sales will begin Jan. 10. Children age 12 and under will once again be admitted free to pole events on Meijer Family Discount Night.

Kentucky Speedway 2005 Schedule
All times Eastern and subject to change:

Weekend No. 1
Saturday, May 14:
1 p.m.: ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series’ “Bluegrass 100” (100 laps/25 miles on the paved quarter-mile track)
3 p.m.: ARCA RE/MAX Series’ “Kentucky 150” (100 laps/150 miles)
Kentucky Headhunters pre-race concert

Weekend No. 2

Friday, June 17:
Insight Communications Pole Night: NASCAR Busch Series Qualifying
8 p.m.: NASCAR AutoZone Southeast Series’ “Bluegrass 150” (100 laps/150 miles)

Saturday, June 18:
8 p.m.: NASCAR Busch Series’ “The Meijer 300 Presented by Oreo” (200 laps/300 miles) TV: FX (live)
Travis Tritt pre-race concert

Weekend No. 3

Friday, July 8:
WLWT-TV Channel 5 Pole Night: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Qualifying
8 p.m.: ARCA RE/MAX Series’ “Bluegrass 150” (100 laps/150 miles)

Saturday, July 9:
3 p.m.: Ford Focus Midget Series’ Qualifying Heats and Feature Races (paved quarter-mile track)
8 p.m.: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series’ “The Built Ford Tough 225 Presented by The Greater Cincinnati Ford Dealers” (150 laps/225 miles). TV: SPEED Channel (live)
Billy Ray Cyrus pre-race concert

Weekend No. 4

Saturday, Aug. 13:
“The Louisville Courier-Journal Pole Day”: Indy Racing League (IRL) IndyCar Series Qualifying
2 p.m.: IRL Menards Infiniti Pro Series “Bluegrass 100” (67 laps/100 miles). TV: ESPN (delayed)

Sunday, Aug. 14:
4 p.m.: Indy Racing League Indy Car Series’ “The Bluegrass 300” (200 laps/300 miles) TV: ABC (live)
SHeDAISY pre-race concertWeekend No. 5

Saturday, Sept. 10:
3 p.m.: USAC Ford Focus Midget Series’ Qualifying Heats and Feature Races (paved quarter-mile track)
“The Charlie Daniels Band Fall Classic”
8 p.m.: NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division Southeast Series’ “Charlie Daniels Band 150” (100 laps/150 miles)
Charlie Daniels Band pre-race concert• Tickets available online:

www.kentuckyspeedway.com or Tickets.com
Telephone: Season tickets: (859) 578-2300; Single event tickets: 1-888-652-RACE (beginning Jan. 10); In Person: Season and single event tickets available at the Kentucky Speedway office, 2216 Dixie Hwy., Ste. 200, Ft. Mitchell, KY 41017. Single event tickets only available at the Kentucky Speedway Fan Center in Sparta, Ky.

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