RACE YOU TO THE CHECKERS GAME… 

LOGANO, WALTRIP TO HEADLINE AUTOTRADER.COM RACE NIGHT THIS FRIDAY

Checkers Go For Second Straight Sell-Out; Live Jersey Auction Following Game

The Charlotte Checkers will host their fourth annual AutoTrader.com “Race Night” on Friday at 7 p.m. when they welcome the Wheeling Nailers and look for a second straight sell-out for the first time since Feb., 2007.

AutoTrader.com, whose main charitable partner is Speedway Children’s Charities, has been a presenting sponsor of “Race Night” since its inception in 2007 and the event is a great platform for raising money for this and other race-related charities.

Headlining this year’s event will be NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers Joey Logano and Michael Waltrip along with Mike Bliss, Kevin Conway and several other drivers from the Nationwide, ARCA, NHRA and Truck circuits.

Joining the drivers will be TV personalities Wendy Venturini (SPEED TV), Larry McReynolds (NASCAR on Fox) and Ray Dunlap (NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series) for an action-packed evening of race-themed activities and demonstrations that is sure to entertain hockey and racing fans alike.

“The crossover between Checkers fans and race fans is tremendous,” said Checkers COO Tera Black. “They both have a passion for contact sports and great entertainment value. This game provides a great opportunity to meet racing stars of today and we are thankful to all of this year’s participants for giving up their personal time in the off-season to be part of this special night.”

As in years past, the Checkers will wear specialty “Race Night” jerseys that will be auctioned off live after the game. A portion of the proceeds from the jersey auction will go to the USA Hockey Foundation for sleds for the US Paralympic sled hockey team.

Logano, the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year, along with the Extreme Ice Center, spearheaded a campaign in 2009 to replace the worn-down, second-hand sleds that were being used by the US team. The new custom-fit sleds will be used at the 2010 Japan Para Ice Sledge Hockey Championships this week as well as the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

“I’m really excited to be involved with the US Paralympic team,” remarked Logano. “To have an opportunity to help design and build new sleds for the US team has been an awesome experience. I wish them all the luck and hopefully they bring home gold.”

Also benefitting from the jersey auction will be Doug Herbert’s B.R.A.K.E.S foundation. The foundation, which stands for “Be Responsible And Keep Everyone Safe”, helps to prevent injuries and save lives by training and educating teenage drivers and their parents about the importance of safe and responsible driving.

Fans are encouraged to arrive at Time Warner Cable Arena by 6 p.m. as Logano, Waltrip and the other drivers will conduct a 45-minute autograph session in the main concourse.

In addition to showcases, demonstrations and autograph sessions, the first 8,000 fans through the door will be treated to a Bojangles’ gift card worth up to $100.

Ticket information can be obtained by calling 704-342-4-ICE or visiting www.gocheckers.com/racenight.