CONCORD, NC, December 17, 1996 Auto racing's geographic evolution will come full circle Saturday night, July 26, 1997, when the Indy Racing League ventures south into NASCAR stock car racing's heartland for a race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, according to details announced today by speedway president H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler.

Paying a purse of $1 million, the inaugural night-time event will be a 500k (310.5 miles) race, which is 207 laps around the 1.5 mile superspeedway. The historic race will occur nearly three years after NASCAR Winston Cup cars raced at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the first time.

Wheeler was joined by Speedway Motorsports, Inc. Chairman O. Bruton Smith, Indianapolis Motor Speedway President and IRL founder Tony George, IRL Executive Director Leo Mehl and 1990 Indianapolis 500 winner Arie Luyendyk at the historic press conference.

"Many people said stock cars would never race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and look at the popularity of that event," said Wheeler, standing next to Luyendyk's new Treadway Racing G Force/Aurora Indy car. "Now, we are preparing to do something many of those same people said would never happen, and this race will be a success! It will prove to be 'One Cool Night' of racing."

In September, driver John Paul, Jr. drove a '95 Lola Indy car chassis powered by a Menard V6 engine during a three-hour test session at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Driving the Team Menard car, Paul recorded a fast lap of 26.01 seconds (207.61 mph), which unofficially broke the Charlotte Motor Speedway's all-time track record.

At that test, Team Menard mechanics reduced downforce and rolled the power back in the powerful Menard V6 engine in an attempt to simulate the performance characteristics of the new IRL formula. Paul said driving the Indy car around Charlotte was "a blast" and that the car felt comfortable all over the race track.

"After the test in September with the older Indy car, I was mildly optimistic about the chances of having an IRL race here at Charlotte Motor Speedway," said Wheeler. "But after continuing to talk with Tony (George) and seeing the direction he is taking Indy-style racing, I am honestly excited for this race. We feel this event and our company's Texas IRL race will help the series grow."

The inaugural IRL race at Charlotte will be the second IRL race at a SMI-owned track in 1997 and the second IRL race to be run at night.

"Texas Motor Speedway has been a part of the IRL's '97 schedule for a few months," said Smith. "Now, I am very proud we are adding Charlotte to that schedule. I think race fans are going to be pleasantly surprised Saturday night, July 26," said Smith.

"Bringing the Indy Racing League to the Charlotte Motor Speedway is yet another milestone in the young history of the league," said George. "The management here at Charlotte has long had the reputation for being one of the best promoters in the business, and we are excited about bringing our teams and their new equipment to this venue."

Speedway officials are planning a full-week of activities in conjunction with its inaugural IRL event. Tuesday night, July 22 will be a practice night, with Pole qualifying taking place on Wednesday night, July 23. Support events will be added to the schedule and announced when those plans are finalized.

Grandstand tickets for the inaugural IRL race will start at $20, while Clubhouse Suite tickets will sell for $90. Wheeler said most frontstretch grandstand seats will be sold for $45. Tickets, which go on sale this week, may be purchased at the speedway ticket office or by calling (704) 455-3200.