NASCAR Foundation Blood Drive Returns to Darlington Raceway

DARLINGTON, S.C. (Sept. 4, 2009) – NASCAR fans will again have the chance in 2009 to visit Darlington Raceway and save a life – just by rolling up their sleeves.

Darlington Raceway, with the American Red Cross and the NASCAR Foundation, is one of over 20 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series tracks scheduled to host the annual NASCAR Foundation Blood Drive on Friday, September 11. The Darlington event, scheduled to start at 8 a.m. and end at 7 p.m., will take place inside the track’s infield media center.

Potential donors can register now at www.givelife.org by entering the sponsor code “DarlingtonRaceway.” Information is also available at www.redcrossblood.org or by calling Darlington Raceway at (843) 395-8892.

The NASCAR Foundation Blood Drive seeks to provide a unique experience that brings out the goodwill and community pride in all race fans. In addition to giving blood, fans will also be encouraged to join the National Marrow Donor Program Registry of volunteer marrow donors.

Marrow donors are needed in our local community to help save a life. It only takes 10 minutes to offer a swab to be typed for a marrow match that could help save a life. It only takes one hour to donate blood or platelets to help a Leukemia patient gain strength for their fight.

Those visiting Darlington for the NASCAR Foundation Blood Drive will have the chance to take in a unique racing experience while at the track. Donors will each receive a NASCAR goody bag as well as a pace car ride around the famed 1.366-mile egg-shaped oval.

Potential blood donors must weigh 110 pounds and be at least 17 years of age (16 with a signed Red Cross parental consent form). Potential donors must be in good health, must not have donated blood in the past 56 days, and must present a current donor card or proper form of photo identification at the time of donation.

Donation slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so potential donors are encouraged to act swiftly to take in the ultimate combination of community and racing.

Darlington Raceway or the track “Too Tough to Tame” as it is known to many, is where the purest of NASCAR competition meets true southern hospitality. A NASCAR staple since 1950, Darlington Raceway has seen some of motorsports most talented drivers thunder to Victory Lane. In 2009, a NASCAR tradition, the Southern 500®, returned to Darlington Raceway as part of the famed track’s celebration of 60 Seasons of Racing.

Don’t miss the 2009 Darlington Historic Racing Festival presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts. The event will feature something for the entire family. Tickets for the event are $15 per day or $25 for the entire weekend, kids age 12 and under will be admitted free and each admission includes access to the garage and infield area. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Darlington Raceway ticket office at 843-395-8802 or online at http://www.darlingtonraceway.com/tickets/.