PRESS RELEASE 2014 PROFESSIONAL DRAG RACING SEASON KICKS OFF AT PALM BEACH INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY Fourth annual preseason PRO Winter Warm‐up to be held on January 17‐18, 2014 JUPITER, FL – November 6, 2013 – Palm Beach International Raceway™ (PBIR) is pleased to once again team up with The Professional Racers Owners Organization, Inc. (PRO) to host the fourth annual PRO Winter Warm‐up (#PROwarmup) on January 17 and 18, 2014. This event brings together all the top names in professional drag racing, under the lights at PBIR’s Drag Strip, as race teams test and tune their Top Fuel Dragsters and Funny Cars in anticipation of the 2014 race season. Presented by Bennett Auto Supply, the PRO Winter Warm‐up will feature an impressive group of drag racing’s elite including: John Force, the newly crowned 2013 Funny Car Champion, his daughters Courtney and Brittany Force, and teammate Robert Hight. Newcomers to the event include Al‐Anabi Racing drivers, Shawn Langdon and Khalid alBalooshi, as well as Torrence Racing driver, Billy Torrence. Additionally, in his return to Don Schumacher Racing, Tommy Johnson Jr. will join teammates Tony Schumacher, Antron Brown, Jack Beckman, Matt Hagan, Ron Capps and Spencer Massey. Kalitta Motorsports drivers Doug Kalitta, David Grubnic, Del Worsham and Alexis DeJoria will also be in attendance. Other drivers making a return to PBIR include Chad Head, Sidnei Frigio, Leah Pruett, Bob Tasca III, Cruz Pedregon, Steve Torrence, Clay Millican and Bob Vandergriff Jr. Among the fastest‐accelerating machines in the world, 8,000‐horsepower Top Fuel Dragsters and Funny Cars accelerate from 0‐to‐100 mph in less than a second and reach top speeds in excess of 300 mph. Fans will not only have the opportunity to watch the action on the track; they can also experience the thrill of being up close and personal in the pits, as teams rebuild their engines after each pass. President and Chief Executive Officer of IRG Sports + Entertainment™, Jason Rittenberry noted, “The PRO Winter Warm‐up offers South Florida fans unprecedented access to professional drag racing’s legendary drivers and teams – with two nights of full‐fledged, thrilling competition on the PBIR Drag Strip. Because there is no purse on the line, you’ll see these racers engage in 300 mph wide‐open runs with no holds barred.” Owner, driver and PRO board member, Bob Tasca III said, “Most fans don’t even realize that some of the greatest Fuel performances of the year take place at the PRO Winter Warm‐up! After a week of testing at PBIR, the Pro teams are always ready to put on a great show for the fans of South Florida. Don’t miss one of the best races of the year!” Two‐day spectator tickets for the PRO Winter Warm‐up are $50 for adults, $25 for children ages 6 to 12, and free for children 5 and under. Tickets will go on sale to the public on November 17, 2013. Parking is free at PBIR for all guests. For more information, visit www.RacePBIR.com, call 561.622.1400, and follow the event on Twitter @RacePBIR with #PROwarmup. ABOUT PALM BEACH INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY Palm Beach International Raceway™ (PBIR) is a state‐of‐the‐art, acclaimed motorsports and entertainment facility featuring a challenging 2.034‐mile asphalt Road Course, an exciting concrete Drag Strip, and a thrilling 8/10‐mile Kart Track. Approved for Indy Car testing, the 10‐turn Road Course at PBIR consists of a 6/10‐mile straightaway, 90‐foot‐wide flex‐use area, 40‐ to 60‐foot‐wide seamless track, and a 6‐degree banked corner. The Road Course welcomes world‐class annual events including Formula Drift and the Palm Beach Grand Prix. Designed by former NHRA World Champion Wayne McMurtry, the Drag Strip at PBIR hosts such premier events as the International Hot Rod Association’s Nitro Jam™, PRO Winter Warm‐up, 5‐Day Citrus Nationals, and Super Chevy Show. Sanctioned by the World Karting Association as a Master Track, the 12‐turn, 26‐foot‐wide Kart Track at PBIR hosts the Florida Winter Tour and conducts karting schools, training courses, 3‐hour endurance races, auto crossing events, racing leagues, and “arrive & drive” programs. Driving schools, testing sessions, private rentals, and corporate team‐building events are held at PBIR year‐round. Founded in 1964 and acquired in 2008 by IRG Sports + Entertainment™ (IRG), PBIR underwent a $20 million remodeling including an upgraded Road Course, low‐glare lighting, safety barriers, luxury chalet, VIP trailer and timing tower. Located in Jupiter, Florida, PBIR is the official home of the Palm Beach Driving Club®, MRP Motorsport, and Driven2Win Drag Racing School. IRG also owns and operates Memphis International Raceway™, Southwestern International Raceway™, and International Hot Rod Association™. For more information, visit www.RacePBIR.com, call 561.622.1400, connect with PBIR at www.Facebook.com/PalmBeachIntlRaceway and www.Twitter.com/RacePBIR, or send an email to [email protected]. ABOUT PROFESSIONAL RACERS OWNERS ORGANIZATION Professional Racers Owners Organization, Inc. (PRO) is a not‐for‐profit 501(c)(6) trade association whose primary purpose is to provide benefits and services to the drag racing team owners and drivers who are its members, and in general, to improve the business climate of the sport of championship drag racing. ### CONTACT Aidy Alonzo Vice President, Marketing & Communications Palm Beach International Raceway™ 17133 Beeline Highway Jupiter, FL 33478 561.578.5638 | 561.622.1400 [email protected] www.IRGSE.com Michelle Domagala Professional Racers Owners Organization, Inc. [email protected] 317.373.8455 .