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Nationwide Series Race

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
to sponsor June 27
NASCAR Nationwide Series Race

‘John R. Elliott HERO Campaign 300
presented by Drive Sober Or Get Pulled Over’
to honor fallen hero

SPARTA, Ky. (May 2014) – The Kentucky Office of Highway Safety on April 16 announced its return to Kentucky Speedway as the title sponsor for the June 27 NASCAR Nationwide Series 300-mile event. The John R. Elliott HERO Campaign 300 presented by Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over will be part of a NASCAR tripleheader weekend June 26-28.   

KSP Group

Photo by Don Ward

Flanked by Kentucky State
Police officers and marking the announcement of the new race sponsor April 16 at the Kentucky Speedway are (from left) Kentucky State Police Commissioner Rodney Brewer, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Mike Hancock, track general manager Mark Simendinger and Bill Bell
of the Kentucky Department
of Highway Safety.

Kentucky HERO is part of The HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers, a national campaign established by the family of Navy Ensign John R. Elliott of New Jersey. Elliott, a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, was killed in a head-on collision by a drunken driver in July 2000 as he was traveling home from Annapolis, Md. A key component of Kentucky Speedway’s involvement with Kentucky’s HERO program is to raise awareness about the importance of having a designated driver.
“Kentucky Speedway has been a long time partner with the Office of Highway Safety. Together we saved lives with the seatbelt campaign and we are excited to save even more by reminding people to drive sober, and be a HERO,” said Kentucky Speedway General Manager Mark Simendinger.
Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear and Kentucky State Police Commissioner Rodney Brewer held a joint news conference December 18, 2012, to announce the launch of the Kentucky HERO program. The campaign asks bar and tavern owners, package stores, law enforcement, colleges as well as state and local governments throughout the Commonwealth to participate to help promote the use of safe and sober designated drivers.
“We appreciate the Kentucky Speedway’s continued assistance in promoting our highway safety messages,” said Kentucky Transportation Secretary Mike Hancock, who is Gov. Beshear’s designated representative on highway safety and chair of the Governor’s Executive Committee on Highway Safety. “As we gear up for racing season, we’re proud to bring attention to this critical highway safety issue and encourage NASCAR fans to use designated drivers.”
The NASCAR Nationwide Series will visit the speedway for the 16th time in series history. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick took home the inaugural win in 2001. Last season, Brad Keselowski earned his second NNS checkered flag at the track and became the third multiple series winner in Kentucky Speedway history. The most recent NNS track winner, Ryan Blaney, captured the Sept. 21 victory, his first series-career win.
In addition to the NASCAR Nationwide Series John R. Elliott HERO Campaign 300 presented by Drive Sober Or Get Pulled Over event, the Sprint Cup Series Quaker State 400 presented by Advance Auto Parts Saturday, June 28 will anchor a three-race NASCAR weekend that opens with the Camping World Truck Series UNOH 225 Thursday, June 26.  Saturday’s NSCS event also will feature a pre-race concert by country music singer/songwriter Thomas Rhett.

Tickets Kroger Fan Zone passes and camping are on sale now at http://kentuckyspeedway.com, by calling (859) 578-2300 or by visiting the speedway ticket offices at 1 Speedway Dr., Sparta, Ky, just off Interstate 71 Exit 57 and Ky. Hwy. 35 N.

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