Tony Stewart to Wave Green Flag at Rockingham
ROCKINGHAM, NC - Tony Stewart has climbed into the flagstand after many NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victories to celebrate, but on May 4th, Stewart will be climbing into the flagstand for the first time to wave the green flag to start a major stock car race when 50 ARCA RE/MAX Series cars come roaring by to start the Carolina 500 at Rockingham Speedway.Stewart’s Sprint Cup crew chief Greg Zipadelli will also be in Rockingham for the Carolina 500 and will trade in his normal raceday duties as crew chief for a position as a driver. Zipadelli will drive the pace car for the parade laps to begin the 312-lap race before relinquishing the steering wheel back to Jack Wallace, the regular ARCA RE/MAX Series pace car driver. Zipadelli will undoubtedly make a few adjustments on the pace car before leaving to make sure it will be able to stay in front of the field as necessary.
Stewart, driver of the Home Depot Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, is from the same area as track owner Andy Hillenburg, and they have a very similar background in racing, starting out in open wheel cars in Indiana.
“It’s an honor to have Tony and Greg join us for our race,” said Hillenburg. “Tony has the same passion for the sport that our fans have and there is not a nicer person in the garage area than Greg.”
Stewart and Zipadelli will be traveling to Rockingham after trying to win the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race the night before in Richmond, VA. If weather is a factor in Richmond then both men will not be present for the Carolina 500.
Stewart has three ARCA RE/MAX Series starts at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds mile-dirt where he finished second in 2001 and 2002, before returning as the victor in 2003.
For more information or to order tickets for the ARCA RE/MAX Series Carolina 500 on May 4th and the Hooter’s Pro Cup American 200 on November 1st, visit the speedway website at http://www.rockinghamspeedway.com/.