Area firefighters, police officers and EMS employees will be honored at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Tuesday, July 21, during Round 8 of the Bojangles' Summer Shootout Series. First Responder Night will feature nine local first responders in an action-packed "Guns n’ Hoses" school bus showdown, along with the best grassroots racers from around the country doing battle in seven Legend Car and Bandolero divisions.
In a show of appreciation for their service to the community, Charlotte Motor Speedway will offer free admission to the Tuesday night races for all first responders and emergency services personnel when they present their official identification to entry gates.
“First Responders are heroes in our community and rush to our aid every day,” said Charlotte Motor Speedway Executive Director of Operations Shaun Johnson. “Seeing them racing in school buses is a unique and exciting thrill for fans to get to see this coming Tuesday.”
The first responder representatives participating in the race include the North Carolina State Highway Patrol’s Gregory Clemmons, Kannapolis Police Department’s Tony Peeler, Albemarle Fire Department’s Dean Lowder, Kannapolis Fire Department’s Jeremy Brown, Gastonia Fire Department’s Wes Pitchford, Mecklenburg EMS’s John Wagner, Griffith Road Volunteer Fire Department’s Jamie Aycoth, Cabarrus EMS’s Scott Honeycutt and Harrisburg Fire Department’s Joe Yowler.
“The G-Town express is ready to roll. This bus doesn't stop for kids, it only stops in Victory Lane,” said Pitchford from the Gastonia Fire Department.
The points battle continues as the prestigious grassroots racing series enters into its final weeks. Drivers will leave everything on the track as division leaders find themselves one step closer to a series championship in each of the seven U.S. Legend Car and Bandolero divisions.
Admission to the Bojangles' Summer Shootout Series is FREE for children 13 and under, and adult tickets are only $8. Fans can visit local Bojangles' to receive a $2 off grandstand admission coupon. In addition to cheering on fellow first responders, all emergency services personnel will be admitted free of charge by showing their police, firefighter or EMS IDs upon entry.
Tickets are available in advance at the speedway ticket office and at Gates 4 and 5 the night of the race. Parking is free. Gates open at 5 p.m. with action starting at 5:10 p.m. Opening ceremonies are scheduled at 7 p.m. and feature races are scheduled to conclude by 10 p.m.
In addition to weekly highlight shows on MAVTV, fans can watch live action through a pay-per-view via Performance Racing Network and Speed51.com for just $14.99 per night. For more details or to purchase a pay-per-view subscription for the Bojangles' Summer Shootout, visit http://www.goprn.com.
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