Preseason Thunder set: Fan Fests on Jan. 16-17

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Race fans will receive a sneak peek of DIRECTV Speedweeks 2009 as well as the new racing season on Jan. 16-17 with the annual NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fan Fests at historic Daytona International Speedway.

Fans can get their racing fix prior to Speedweeks and the Daytona 500 with numerous activities with their favorite drivers from the Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck series in the Sprint FanZone located in the heart of the World Center of Racing.

Speedweeks

Date	Event
Feb. 7	Budweiser Shootout
Feb. 8	Daytona 500 qualifying
Feb. 12	Gatorade Duel
Feb. 13	Truck Series race
Feb. 14	N'wide Series race
Feb. 15	Daytona 500

Among the activities planned for both days include:
• Interactive fan forums
• Autograph sessions
• Show cars, displays, music
• Online auction
• Blood drive

In addition, the Richard Petty Driving Experience will be on track with ride and driving packages available. The ride-only packages can be purchased on-site while the driving packages must be purchased in advance at 1-800-BE-PETTY.

Tickets, which go on sale at 9 a.m. ET Saturday, are $15 with autograph session availability limited to only 100 people per driver in advance. To purchase tickets and request access to the special autograph sessions, call 1-800-PITSHOP.

Drivers scheduled to make appearances beginning at 6 p.m. Jan. 16 include Ryan Newman, Tony Stewart, Jeff Burton, Kyle Busch, Reed Sorenson, Aric Almirola, Casey Mears, Greg Biffle, Travis Kvapil, David Gilliland, Mike Skinner and Jon Wes Townley.

Scheduled to appear during the noon-4 p.m. session on Jan. 17 include Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth, Carl Edwards, Mark Martin, Denny Hamlin, David Ragan, Colin Braun, Erik Darnell, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Paul Menard and Alex Garcia.

In the 4-8 p.m. session on Jan. 17, drivers scheduled to appear include Dale Earnhardt Jr., Michael Waltrip, Kevin Harvick, Brad Keselowski and Ron Hornaday.

Additional drivers and more details about the NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fan Fests will be released in the coming weeks.