California race fans have a new reason to celebrate the 2009 NASCAR race season—the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup is coming to Auto Club Speedway. In a teleconference unveiling the 2009 race schedule, NASCAR President Mike Helton announced a realignment of Sprint Cup race dates that will move the Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway from its current Labor Day weekend date to October 11, 2009. The new date is a coveted slot in the ten-race Chase for the Sprint Cup, the “playoffs” of NASCAR that crown the Sprint Cup Champion each year. Tickets for the 2009 Pepsi 500 will go on sale immediately.

Auto Club Speedway president Gillian Zucker, who participated in today’s announcement, said the date change was a victory for California race fans. “If anyone wonders whether NASCAR fans can be heard over the roar of the race cars, the answer is a definitive ‘yes’,” Zucker said. “On behalf of California fans I want to thank NASCAR for making the Pepsi 500 a part the Chase and giving all of us a chance to participate in the excitement of NASCAR’s ‘playoffs’.”

At today’s teleconference Helton announced that the Labor Day weekend race will move to Atlanta Motor Speedway, and Atlanta’s race date in late October will move to Talladega Motor Speedway. Helton indicated that NASCAR’s realignment of the schedule was at the request of the three racetracks.

Tickets for the 2009 Pepsi 500 on October 11, 2009 can be purchased beginning immediately at the Auto Club Speedway’s ticket windows, at www.autoclubspeedway.com and by phone at 1-800-944-RACE. For more information go to www.autoclubspeedway.com.

About Auto Club Speedway

Don’t miss out on Labor Day’s biggest party, the Pepsi 500 on Sunday, August 31, 2008.   See the biggest stars of NASCAR including Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kyle Busch, Jeff Gordon, and Juan Pablo Montoya as they reach speeds of more than 200 miles per hour.  NASCAR racing is a full day of excitement and entertainment that includes sponsor displays, live musical entertainment, great food and fun for the whole family. Enjoy the Speedway’s fan amenities, including new escalators, shade structures and misting zones, souvenir shopping and Apex by Wolfgang Puck. To purchase tickets for the Pepsi 500 weekend call 800-944-RACE, or visit www.autoclubspeedway.com for more information