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JENKINS JOINS PRA “BIG CAR” SERIES

ANDERSON, INDIANA - Veteran motor sports broadcaster Bob Jenkins has joined the Premier Racing Association as Director of Communications. Jenkins has spent the last 30 years in various capacities in auto racing broadcasting.

“We couldn’t be more excited about Bob joining our ‘Big Car’ series”, stated the PRA’s Jason Smith. “Adding him to our staff gives us credibility and someone whose knowledge and enthusiasm about auto racing is second to none.”

Jenkins has worked in various broadcast positions including play-by-play for the Nascar Nextel Cup Series, play-by-play and host of the Indy Racing League Indy Car Series, and most recently studio co-host of Speed News on the Speed Channel.

“I had been looking for other opportunities in auto racing”, stated Jenkins “and this represents the perfect solution for me”.

The Premier Racing Association will begin sanctioning the “Big Car National Championship Series” beginning May 17th at Indianapolis Raceway Park. The series will provide car owners an opportunity to race their old generation Silver Crown cars on pavement.

“Although I love all types of racing, this kind of open wheel competition always has been my favorite. One of the attractive aspects of this series is the fact that PRA events will be held on either Tuesday or Wednesday nights in 2006, and so will not directly compete with events involving the new generation cars”, said Jenkins. “And with over 60 registered teams from last year, it’s a series that has a solid base of car owners and fans.”
In his new job, Jenkins will be responsible for public and media relations for the PRA. “I’ve been on the other side of the microphone and know what members of the media need and want. I’m looking forward to working with them, and listening to race fans to make sure they have an enjoyable experience at PRA events.”

Jason McCord, a former open wheel competitor, and one of the founders of the Premier Racing Association stated, “Bob called many races that I competed in during the old ESPN Thunder series. He’s a pioneer in auto racing broadcasting, and will be a valuable addition to our series.”

Seven races are on the schedule for the inaugural “Big Car National Championship” season. “Jason Smith and Jason McCord have promised some surprise visits from drivers involved in other series, but whose schedules will permit an appearance for a mid-week race”, said Jenkins. “It’s going to be BIG and I’m thrilled and excited to be a part of it.”

IT’S THE YEAR TO THINK BIG!

THE NEW BIG CAR RACING SERIES REVIVES

AN EXCITING AMERICAN RACING TRADITION

ANDERSON, IN - Two men with a passion for open wheel racing announced today the creation of The Premier Racing Association and the inaugural Big Car Series National Championship.

Jason Smith, an experienced sanctioning body executive and official, and recently retired open wheel driver Jason McCord, will kick off their Big Car Series on May 17 at Indianapolis Raceway Park.

The Premier Racing Association (PRA) is primed to revive a great American racing tradition with seven races for the 2006 season. “This is a form of racing that has been packing the grandstands for 50 years,” said Smith. McCord and Smith formed the Big Car Series for the former Silver Crown race cars that were “parked” due to the United States Auto Club’s car design rules that went into effect this year.

There were approximately 60 registered race teams last year and this hugely popular form of open wheel racing regularly attracted fields of 45 to 50 cars. “Team owners must purchase an entirely new car to continue to compete with USAC, stated McCord. “ Unfortunately, for many teams it is simply not a viable option.”

“These cars are wildly popular with fans, providing some of the best wheel-to-wheel racing action fans could see all year,” stated Smith. “A large number of the team owners did not embrace the new generation of Silver Crown cars, and we’ve had a tremendous response as we broke the news that they can go racing again. We’ll have strong fields of Big Cars right from the start.”

“With 800-horsepower motors and open wheels, the Big Cars have been a proving ground for some of the greatest names in American racing, from Parnelli Jones to Tony Stewart,” said McCord, “If a driver is successful in these cars, they can drive any race car!”

McCord said the Big Car Racing series will showcase the talents of some of the best open wheel drivers in the country and will also include special guest appearances by drivers who moved from open wheel racing to gain fame in the NASCAR Nextel Cup and Busch series. “Seeing some of the biggest stars in American racing today go wheel to wheel in a Big Car is something we are so excited to offer to our fans. You never know who just might hop in a ride at a PRA event!” Smith added with a grin.

The 2006 racing schedule includes such major-market venues as IRP, Illiana Motor Speedway in the Chicago area, Music City Motorplex in Nashville, USA International Speedway in Tampa, Stafford Motor Speedway in Connecticut, and South Georgia in the Valdosta area.

A national television package is in the works. “This is an incredible ground floor opportunity for companies who believe in the value of sponsoring races,” said Smith. “We’re already working with several companies. The teams are ready to go racing. The hundreds of thousands of fans across the country are hungry for it. The frantic, close racing action is perfect for television. It’s an extraordinary sponsorship opportunity.”

A multi-pronged, aggressive event marketing package will include radio, newspaper, internet, public relations, fan apparel, collectible posters and more.

Smith also stated that a series championship is being structured so that race teams will be financially motivated to make every starting grid in the series schedule.

The 2006 series schedule for Big Car Racing is as follows:

May 17: Indianapolis Raceway Park, Indianapolis, IN

June 13: Illiana Motor Speedway, Schererville, IN

July 5: Indianapolis Raceway Park, Indianapolis, IN

August 9: Music City Motorplex, Nashville, TN

August 15: Stafford Motor Speedway, Stafford Springs, CT

*October 25: South Georgia Motorsports Park, Cecil, GA

*December 13: USA International Speedway, Lakeland, FL

Smith said that none of the Big Car Racing race dates conflict with race dates in the USAC Silver Crown series, “We’re running our shows mid-week -- on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. This gives fans and competitors the opportunity to support us and USAC’s new cars. It also gives drivers who have a steady Sunday job the opportunity to come have fun!”

“For drivers, teams and fans – It’s the year to think BIG.” proclaimed Smith.

For more information, contact PRA at 765/642-1700.

* Final details TBA