RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY TO HOST SECOND ANNUAL BLOOD AND MARROW DRIVE SUNDAY, AUGUST 5

Richmond International Raceway's Drive for Life Aims to Improve the Lives of Thousands

Richmond International Raceway will host a Virginia Blood Services blood drive and sign up new donors for the National Marrow Donor Program Registry of volunteer marrow donors on Sunday, August 5, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the raceway's infield.  Richmond International Raceway's Drive for Life is a collaborative effort among the track, Virginia Blood Services, the Hendrick Marrow Program, the National Marrow Donor Program, the Jimmie Johnson Foundation and The NASCAR Foundation.  Donors wishing to register in advance may do so at www.vablood.org.

"Richmond International Raceway values its community and is always looking for ways to give back to the Greater Richmond Metropolitan Area," said track president Doug Fritz.  "By partnering with these great organizations, we will be able to collect much-needed blood for Virginia residents and sign up potential marrow donors for the national registry.  I encourage everyone to help support this community effort by participating in Richmond International Raceway's Drive for Life."

As a special incentive, those who donate blood or sign up for the marrow registry will receive a ride around Richmond International Raceway's ¾-mile track (weather permitting), a commemorative t-shirt, a Dunkin Donuts coupon book and food provided by Dunkin Donuts and Jersey Mike's.  Additionally, many prizes will be given away, including two tickets to the September 8 Chevy Rock & Roll 400 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race "under the lights" at Richmond International Raceway, two tickets to the September 7 Emerson Radio 250 NASCAR Busch Series race at Richmond International Raceway, a television donated by the FUNAI Corporation, two Ride-Along Experiences from Richard Petty Driving Experience (visit www.1800bepetty.com for details), two one-year memberships to American Family Fitness, autographed Jimmie Johnson hats, two complimentary greens fees at Kingsmill in Williamsburg, two tickets to James River Cellars' Fridays on the Patio and five $50 gas cards donated by Technology in Medicine.

Richmond International Raceway's Drive for Life is a way to contribute to the 2007 NASCAR Foundation Blood and Marrow Drive.  Many other tracks on the NASCAR circuit will participate throughout the year.  Last year, Richmond International Raceway's Drive for Life collected more than 100 units of blood.  With the efforts at Richmond International Raceway, the total count resulted in more than 2,000 units collected through the NASCAR community.

"My work with the blood centers has shown me the importance of blood donations," said Jimmie Johnson, driver of Hendrick Motorsports' No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet and 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series champion.  "The NASCAR Foundation Blood and Marrow Drive is a great way to build awareness within the NASCAR family, and I encourage fans everywhere to get involved and participate."

Last year's Richmond International Raceway's Drive for Life also resulted in more than 40 names being added to the National Marrow Donor Program Registry of volunteer donors.  In total, nearly 400 participants were added to the registry through The NASCAR Foundation Blood and Marrow Drive.  The bone marrow registry offers vital support and hope for thousands of patients with life-threatening diseases that search the registry every day for donors who could provide the life-saving marrow.

"I have learned through my personal experience how important the National Marrow Donor Program Registry is to patients in search of hope," said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports.  "Joining the Registry is a quick, pain-free process that could save someone's life.  The NASCAR Foundation Blood and Marrow Drive is a wonderful way to help those in need and have a little fun at the same time."

To register and learn more about this event, please visit www.nascar.com/foundation.  For specific information about giving blood, please contact Virginia Blood Services at 800-989-4438 or visit www.vablood.org.  Nancy Conry, Virginia Blood Services Director of Public Relations can be reached at 804-349-4029.  To learn more about joining the National Marrow Donor Program Registry of volunteer marrow donors, please call 804-288-9483.