GM Racing to host fanfest in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 21, 2003 - The 39th annual Pontiac Excitement Nationals presented by Summit Racing returns to National Trail Raceway on June 12 - 15 . To help kick off the event again this year, Dave Gill Pontiac-GMC at the corner of Hamilton and Broad Streets in Columbus, Ohio, will be holding its annual NHRA Driver Fanfest on Wednesday, June 11.

The festivities will take place at the dealership from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., and will feature NHRA drivers, racecars and team transporters from the GM Racing motorsports contingent. Scheduled to attend this year are six-time NHRA Pro Stock champion Warren Johnson, three-time NHRA champion Don Garlits, 2002 POWERade champion Jeg Coughlin Jr., two-time Pro Stock champion Jim Yates and Summit Racing's Mark Pawuk.

Other drivers at this year's Fanfest will include drag racing veterans Bruce Allen, Tom Martino, Kurt Johnson, George Marnell, Mike Edwards, Ron Krisher, Greg Anderson, Mark Whisnant and Columbus native Troy Coughlin. Funny Car drivers Tommy Johnson Jr., Dale Creasy Jr., Tim Wilkerson, Frank Pedregon, Del Worsham and Johnny Gray, Top Fuel driver Cory McClenathan and Sportsman standout Mike Ferderer will also be on hand to meet and greet race fans.

The Dave Gill Pontiac-GMC open house has become an annual tradition during Pontiac Excitement Nationals week and this year another large crowd is expected to attend.

"This is the most exciting marketing event our dealership does all year," said Dave Gill. "There are a lot of Pontiac Excitement fans in Columbus that go to the race every year at National Trail Raceway. From our standpoint, as a business that enjoys and appreciates being a part of the Columbus community, the Pontiac Excitement Nationals are a celebration of speed we look forward to every spring.

"The NHRA Fanfest is a program that we get behind 100 percent because of the tradition we've been able to establish here at Dave Gill Pontiac-GMC and the prestige of the race at National Trail Raceway."

This year's motorsports Fanfest will feature racing giveaways, a plethora of NHRA Fan activities, a radio remote, and a chance to win a racing helmet signed by NHRA POWERade drivers.

The 39th Annual Pontiac Excitement Nationals presented by Summit Racing on June 12 - 15, at National Trail Raceway in Hebron, Ohio, is the 11th race on the 23-event NHRA POWERade championship tour. Pontiac and GMC are proud to be the Official Car and Truck of the National Hot Rod Association.

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