(Savannah, GA)  Former NASCAR Nextel Cup champions Bill Elliott and Matt Kenseth will headline this Friday night’s NASCAR Nextel Cup “Race of Champions” event at Oglethorpe Speedway Park.  Jimmy Spencer and Casey Mears will also be on hand to meet race fans, sign autographs and take snapshots.  The drivers will complete their visit to the historic half mile just west of downtown Savannah by competing in a pair of ten lap races in the track’s high-powered Coca-Cola Late Models.

“You can attend Nextel Cup Series races in Atlanta, Daytona, Darlington or Charlotte,” said OSP promoter Ted Austad.  “But, you will never get an opportunity to be this close to the drivers at those venues.  They will take the time to meet you, sign an autograph and even have their picture taken with you.  It is really cool for the fans.”

This is the second straight year that 1988 NASCAR champion Bill Elliott has attended the special event at Oglethorpe Speedway Park.  Elliott won both of the ten lap races last season when he used a last lap pass to beat Dave Blaney and Sterling Marlin.  The Georgia native intends to keep the Savannah Title within it’s homestate.

“I am looking forward to our return to Savannah,” said Elliott.  “It is one of the nicest short tracks we visited last year.  I am also looking forward to racing in a late model at the track.  It is a very fast track and the cars will be a lot faster this year.”

Jimmy Spencer is also returning to OSP this season after crashing in the first of two races last year.  ‘Mr. Excitement’ lost control of his street stock racer during last season’s event and collected three-time NASCAR champion Cale Yarborough on the front stretch.  Spencer requested a return visit to the track and a shot at redemption.

“I had a car that could have beaten Bill (Elliott) last year,” said Spencer.  “When I heard that some of the guys were going back this year, I wanted in.  It’s a fun speedway.”

Matt Kenseth flexed his racing muscle winning the 2003 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series crown.  The Wisconsin native is no stranger to short track racing.  But, he has never competed on a dirt track prior to this weekend’s engagement at Oglethorpe Speedway.

“Everyone says it is more fun than asphalt,” said Kenseth.  “I had been wanting to try it when this race came up on the schedule.  I know it is going to be different.”

The name Mears is almost synonymous with racing on Memorial Day weekend.  The 27-year-old son of four time Indianapolis 500 winner Ric Mears, Casey Mears, will round out the roster for this year’s star studded race in Savannah.  Mears currently competes on the Nextel Cup Series circuit in the #41 Target Dodge.  He also has never driven a race on dirt prior to this appearance at the tricky, fast half mile of Oglethorpe Speedway Park.

“I am hoping it is a lot like the old midget cars we race in Indiana,” said Mears.  “They skated through the turns like dirt cars do.  But, I really don’t know what to expect Friday.”

The NASCAR Nextel Cup “Race of Champions” will also feature a 25-lap Late Model feature, Street Stocks, Mini Stocks and Queen Bee races.  The gates will open at noon with musical entertainment beginning at 3:00pm.  The drivers will arrive after 4:00pm with a VIP meet and greet slated prior to the autograph and photo session at 6:00pm.  Opening ceremonies for the night’s stock car racing action is set for 8:00pm with the “Race of Champions” ten lap features taking place shortly thereafter.

Plenty of good seats are available and tickets will be sold at the gate on Friday night.  For additional information, contact Oglethorpe Speedway Park at 912-964-8200 or visit www.ospracing.net.