This weekend the Sprint Cup Series is preparing for the tenth race of the 2008 season which will be held at the Richmond International Raceway (RIR). Hosting its first race in 1946 as a half-mile dirt track, RIR transitioned to an asphalt surface in 1968 but the current configuration, as a .750-mile D-shaped oval, was not introduced to race fans until 1988. Since this date, RIR has become a favorite of both ticket holders and competitors with guaranteed door-to-door racing action brought to life twice each year under the lights.
Last year, RIR introduced several upgrades to the Commonwealth section of the grandstands located on the track's front stretch. Fans were presented with an additional tier of seating, providing ticket holders with a bird's-eye view of the on-track action. This year the raceway is unveiling a new escalator system to enhance the experiences of those fans seated in the Commonwealth Mezzanine and Tower beginning with the May 2-3 NASCAR double-header race weekend at America's Premier Short Track.
The escalator system will take fans from the ground level to the Commonwealth Mezzanine and to the first row of the Commonwealth Tower, allowing fans in these sections to access their seats easier and quicker than ever.
The 43 roaring engines of the Sprint Cup Series stars will be joined by the roaring engines of the internationally known Blue Angels Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron on Saturday, May 3, prior to the Sprint Cup Series race. The Blue Angels have performed at some of the most popular sporting events in the country, including this year's Super Bowl. The Blue Angels squadron consists of six F/A-18 Hornets, which are high-performance, tactical aircrafts designed to operate from aircraft carriers and land bases. The Hornet's two engines deliver about 36,000 pounds combined thrust and a top speed of more than mach 1.8.
In addition to their fly-by performance in conjunction with the playing of the National Anthem, some of the Blue Angels team members will be making appearances at RIR throughout the weekend. Several of the Blue Angels will visit the Green Flag Zone fan hospitality on Saturday, May 3, and the Party Zone fan hospitality on Friday, May 2. They will participate in question and answer sessions and sign autographs (time permitting).
FOX is scheduled to broadcast live television coverage of the Crown Royal Presents the Dan Lowry 400 beginning at 7 p.m. ET. The green flag is scheduled to fall at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Crown Royal Presents the Dan Lowry 400 at Richmond International Raceway
Qualifying Record: Brian Vickers (129.983 mph, 20.772 seconds), May 14, 2004
Race Record: Dale Jarrett (109.047 mph, 2 hours, 45 minutes, 04 seconds), September 6, 1997
2007 Winner: Jimmie Johnson
Total Purse: $5,137,427
