MICHIGAN INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY

Sunday, July 30, 2006 on ABC

THREE INDYCAR SERIES CHAMPIONS AMONG FIVE DRIVERS
TO APPEAR IN MIS LEGENDS CLUB PRIOR TO FIRESTONE INDY 400 AT MIS

Source: Michigan International Speedway

BROOKLYN, Mich. – Five IRL IndyCar Series drivers, including three former series champions and the defending Firestone Indy 400 winner, will appear in Michigan International Speedway’s all-inclusive Legends Club prior to the Firestone Indy 400 on Sunday, July 30.

Defending IndyCar Series champion Dan Wheldon and defending Firestone Indy 400 winner Bryan Herta will speak during Sunday’s festivities. 2004 IndyCar Series champion Tony Kanaan, who secured the first win of his career at MIS in 1999 will appear, as will Vitor Meira and 1996 IndyCar Series champion Scott Sharp. All five drivers will perform question and answer sessions for fans that have purchased the fan hospitality package.

Wheldon, the 28-year-old native of Emberton, England who now drives the No. 10 Target Chip Ganassi Honda, took the IndyCar Series by storm in 2005 by winning the Indianapolis 500 and five other races en route to his first series championship. His six wins gave him a new IndyCar Series season record. He also finished second to Herta in the Firestone Indy 400 at MIS last season. In 2006, he has one victory in the season-opener at Homestead-Miami Speedway with five top-five finishes.

Herta, a local favorite from nearby Warren, Mich., is the defending winner of the Firestone Indy 400 at MIS. The driver of the No. 7 XM Satellite Radio Honda, started on the pole and held off Wheldon for his only victory of 2005. Now in is his fourth season with Andretti Green Racing, Herta has three top-10 finishes with a season-best fourth coming in St. Petersburg.

Kanaan, the driver of the No. 11 7-Eleven Honda for Andretti Green Racing, won the 2004 IndyCar Series Championship by dominating nearly every statistical category. He became the first driver in any major American racing series to complete every possible lap (3,305) in a full season of competition, which spanned over 16 races. In addition to his 1999 victory at MIS, Kanaan has posted top-five finishes in each of his past two races on the 2-mile oval.

Meira, the 29-year-old native of Brazil, has gradually risen to prominence in the IRL IndyCar Series. Since his 2002 debut in the series, he has improved in the final standings in every season, most notably finishing eighth and seventh in 2004 and 2005, respectively. His rise has continued in 2006 as he sits in fifth place. He has 19 top-five finishes in his five seasons and finished fifth at MIS in 2004.

Sharp, the 1996 IndyCar Series champion, placed fourth in the IndyCar event at MIS in 2003 and seventh in 2005. Coming off of a fifth place points finish last season, Sharp currently sits seventh in the point standings. He counts nine victories and 35 top-five finishes in over 100 career open-wheel starts to his credit.
“We couldn’t be more excited to have all five of these great drivers appear in our all-inclusive Legends Club, including series champion Dan Wheldon and defending MIS winner Bryan Herta,” said MIS Director of Marketing Keith Karbo. “This is a great opportunity for fans that haven’t purchased tickets to get them through the hospitality package. In addition, fans that have already purchased tickets can enjoy an all-inclusive race day at MIS and see some of the IRL’s great drivers.”

Legends Club packages feature a reserved center grandstand seat, pre-race pit pass, souvenir program, commemorative gift, hospitality tent access, catered breakfast and lunch, entertainment and a question and answer session with all five drivers. Hospitality-only packages can also be purchased for fans that already have their seats.

Guests who wish to purchase fan hospitality packages – and secure the best remaining seats for MIS’s premier events – may call 1-800-354-1010. Guests who have already purchased tickets and would like to upgrade to a fan hospitality package are encouraged to contact the MIS Ticket Office at 1-800-354-1010.

The following hospitality packages remain for the 2006 season:

-Legends Club, IRL IndyCar Series Firestone Indy 400 (July 30)
-Victory Lane Club, NASCAR Busch Series Carfax 250, (August 19)
-Victory Lane Club, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series GFS Marketplace 400 (August 20)

Tickets for the IRL IndyCar Series Firestone Indy 400 delivered by Domino’s Pizza are available by calling 1-800-354-1010 or by visiting www.MISpeedway.com. Children 12 and under are free to all Firestone Indy 400 weekend activities.

Return to our 2006 IRL FIRESTONE INDY 400 Index.

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To order tickets:

Call the MIS Ticket Hotline

(800) 354-1010 or (517) 592-6672

Order online 24/7 at www.MISpeedway.com

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