2nd Annual GASTON SPEEDFEST

Looking for a fun, family-friendly racing event the Sunday after the Sprint All-Star Race? Why not make the short trip down I-85 South to Gastonia and have a great time at the 2nd Annual Gaston Speedfest?!

With a day off after the All-Star event and the NASCAR Hall of Fame induction ceremony the following day, get your racing fix by watching live pit crew demonstrations, meet NASCAR legend Humpy Wheeler, see various show cars and actual race cars from all forms of motorsports, while enjoying great food and drinks, along with Ben & Jerry's ice cream - which I will be out there scooping for part of the day!

The event is free to attend and lasts from Noon-7PM in the Gaston Gazette parking lot. See below for more details.



GASTONIA, N.C. (May 11th, 2011) – The Home Builders Association of Gaston County will be presenting the 2nd Annual GASTON SPEEDFEST on Sunday, May 22, 2011 from Noon until 7 pm in the parking lot of the Gaston Gazette. The Home Builders Association of Gaston County is proud to present this event in an effort to continue building a stronger local community.

GASTON SPEEDFEST will provide a fun filled day for race fans and local residents who want to take part in the excitement of NASCAR on one of Charlotte's busiest weeks of the year.

GASTON SPEEDFEST will include race cars, new and classic cars, motorcycles, and a host of other fun and exciting elements. Again this year, several NASCAR Sprint Cup Series pit crewmen will be performing live pit stops. Local dirt track, Carolina Speedway will be on hand to allow attendees to get a closer look at the various dirt track cars that race at their venue. There will also be other cars and displays from various forms of racing.

Along with live music, the event will offer food from local vendors RO’s Barbeque, HoneyBaked Ham, Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, and drinks from Choice USA Sun Drop.

We are excited to announce that H.A. “Humpy Wheeler” will be appearing and signing his new book “Growing Up NASCAR: Racing’s Most Outrageous Promoter Tells All.” In addition to several race car drivers and other personalities, the Gastonia Gazette’s NASCAR writer Monte Dutton with WRFX DJ and Gaston resident Melany Myers will be on hand.

“This is going to be an outstanding event since it is race weekend and Gaston County has always been one of the strongest motorsports strongholds in the very area where NASCAR was born,” said H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler about the 2ndAnnual GASTON SPEEDFEST. “There has been four speedways in that county. The Gastonia Fairgrounds (or Lowell), the high banked Robinwood Speedway, the current Carolina Speedway, which is running today and is quite successful and the Belmont Midget track which was a dirt eighth- mile.

“While Gaston County missed many opportunities to get the multi-million dollar stock car operations in the past,” he added, “attitudes have changed drastically and its locale to the Charlotte Airport could give it a second chance to really garner the opportunities of NASCAR's second growth spurt. This event could help community attitudes in seeing the opportunities that racing has to offer.”

New this year will be a CAR SHOW for everyone to participate in with their classic or custom cars, as well as, motorcycles. There is a $10 donation entry fee, however that is not required. It is encouraged that everyone comes out and shows off their rides.

The GASTON SPEEDFEST is proud to announce the title sponsors of this year’s event are McKenney Family Dealerships, McKenney-Salinas Dealerships, and McKenney Powersports.

The Home Builders Association of Gaston County is proud to announce its continued partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Gaston County, and this year adding The United Way of Gaston County as its second charity partner. Habitat for Humanity will be on hand to discuss some exciting projects they currently have in the works. A portion of the proceeds from the entire event will go to Habitat for Humanity and The United Way. There will also be several raffles including race ticket packages, actual race car sheet metal, and car rental packages.

The GASTON SPEEDFEST is free to attend and will get started at Noon and last until 7pm. The first 200 guests will receive a "goodie bag". We look forward to seeing you on the 22nd - come hungry and ready to have fun!

The address of the event is 1893 Remount Road, Gastonia, N.C. 28053.

For more information, directions and updates, please visit Gaston Speedfest Face book page (www.facebook.com/pages/Gaston-Speedfest/136008836469564).

Sponsorship and entertainment news will be updated prior to the event as needed.