Dale Earnhardt Jr.‘s No.88 show car will be at Crump Manor, 3600 Mountain Road, Glen Allen from noon to 6 p.m.
  Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick , Matt Ken seth , David Ragan , Marcos Ambrose , Kyle Petty , Brad Keselowski and Eric McClure are scheduled to appear at Kroger’s eighth annual “Night With The Drivers” at the Richmond Raceway Complex Ampitheater. All proceeds go to the Victory Junction Gang Camp. Doors open at 2 p.m. Live auction with NASCAR memorabilia is from 3-5.p.m. Driver appearances are from 5-7 p.m.

The swine flu outbreak has caused Henrico County Health Department officials to advise race fans to take precautions when attending events this weekend at Richmond International Raceway. “There is no reason for fans not to attend and enjoy the events this weekend,“ said acting Health Director Dr. Robert B. Stroube. “However, as with any large public event, there is a risk of spreading viruses, but there are very simple yet effective precautions you can take to avoid exposure.“

Cohosts Ralph and Chris talk about Carl Edwards’ crash at Talladega and interview Denny Hamlin at his new car wash venture. Also, a preview of RIR this weekend with guest Aimee Turner.

RIR RACE WEEK
  Noon: Sprint Cup practice, SPEED
  2 p.m.: Sprint Cup final practice, SPEED
  4: Nationwide pole qualifying, SPEED
  5:30: Sprint Cup pole qualifying, SPEED
  7: Nationwide race, ESPN2
  SATURDAY
  7 p.m.: Sprint Cup Series Crown Royal Presents The Russ Friedman 400, Fox

Denny Hamlin is scheduled to appear at the grand opening celebration of his car wash at 13550 Hull St., Midlothian, from 4 to 6 p.m. and will sign autographs for the first 250 fans.
  TOMORROW
  Dale Earnhardt Jr.‘s No. 88 show car will be at Crump Manor, 3600 Mountain Road, Glen Allen from noon to 6 p.m.
  Jeff Burton will sign autographs at the Walmart store located at 7901 Brook Road, Richmond from

Virginians Eddie Pardue and Joey Cohen have developed a reputation as one of the best crew chief/engineer tandems in the Nationwide Series. And they proved themselves with victories in Las Vegas and Phoenix.

While NASCAR officials remain optimistic despite a troubled economy, the company that operates many of its racetracks, including Richmond International Raceway, yesterday reported decreased revenue and income for the first quarter. International Speedway Corp. said revenue for the three months ending Feb. 28 was $166.1 million, compared to $193 million in the prior-year period. Also, income declined from $36.2 million to $25.1 million.

Richmond International Raceway generates $467 million in economic impact annually for the state and the Richmond area according to a study released this morning by The Washington Economics Group Inc.

A study released today details the economic impact of the NASCAR speedway in Darlington, S.C. Darlington Raceway brings in $54 million to the state each year and is responsible for creating 874 jobs in the region, according to the report commissioned by the track and released today by The Washington Economics Group. The same company has prepared an economic-impact study for Richmond International Raceway that will be released Thursday. To read about the RIR study, check back on TimesDispatch.com at 11:15 a.m.

Airline offering discount tied to RIR race weekend First it was hotels, now an airline is offering a discount to fans coming to the May 1-2 races at Richmond International Raceway. Track officials announced yesterday that AirTran Airways will cut air travel ticket prices by 10 percent for passengers who ask for the discount by calling the number for that purpose - (866) 683-8368 - and using the event code, RIC050109.

A Break for RIR fans Richmond International Raceway officials and area hotels are combining efforts to offer lower rates for fans attending the Sprint Cup and Nationwide races May 1-2. The track has posted an internet listing of cooperating hotels at http://www.rir.com/hotelspecialoffers/. As of yesterday the Web page listed 35 area hotels with room rates ranging from $75 (the airport Best Western) to $249 (the Westin Richmond on West Broad Street and the downtown Omni Richmond Hotel).

A Tennessee-based promotion company is negotiating to bring a 10-day fair to the Richmond Raceway Complex in July. The State Fair of Virginia held its last event at the complex in Henrico County last fall and has moved to Meadow Event Park in Caroline County near Kings Dominion. “People don’t want to drive 30 minutes to get to the fair,“ said Mark Lovell, president of Universal Fairs and Expo South. “We want to bring something more accessible to folks in the heart of Richmond.“

Richmond International Raceway announced today a ticket price restructuring for the Henrico Grandstand for the 2009 season. More than 18,000 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series tickets will be affected in the restructuring. Tickets are on sale now for the May 2 Crown Royal Presents The Your Name Here 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. Track officials said future events will reflect the new ticket price restructuring.

Everyone is invited to Richmond International Raceway’s fifth annual Community Tree Lighting at 7 p.m. Dec. 2. After musical performances by Laburnum Elementary School and the Henrico High School Mighty Marching Warriors, a 35-foot tree will be lighted to illuminate the sky each evening through Dec. 25. Attendees are encouraged to bring donations for the Marine Toys for Tots and Central Virginia Foodbank drives. The track will match each donation toy for toy and can for can. Donors will receive a souvenir for every new, unwrapped toy and five food items donated.