Richmond International Raceway President Doug Fritz today announced today the track's exciting race lineup for 2006.

The season begins with a doubleheader that includes a NASCAR Busch Series race on Friday, May 5 and a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race on Saturday, May 6.

The IRL IndyCar Series returns for its sixth annual visit for the SunTrust Indy Challenge on Saturday, June 24.  Also part of that all open-wheel weekend will be a USAC Valvoline National Sprint Car Series race on Friday, June 23 and a USAC Weld Racing Silver Crown Series race on Saturday prior to the SunTrust Indy Challenge.

The season concludes with a new look for the track's September weekend.  The schedule will mirror the track's May schedule of events, as the NASCAR Busch Series will race on Friday, September 8 and NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series will conclude the season schedule on Saturday, September 9.

The track will not host a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race in 2006, as the traditional Thursday night event will move to Saturday, October 7 at Talladega Superspeedway-also part of International Speedway Corporation's portfolio of tracks.  The inaugural NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Talladega Superspeedway will be part of tripleheader weekend at that track, including NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and ARCA races.

"Like all of our events at Richmond International Raceway, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series has always provided tremendous excitement and side by side racing for our fans and we will miss hosting the series next year," Fritz said.  "But moving the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race to Talladega Superspeedway is another example of track operators working with NASCAR to help grow the fan base of different series.  We have always held our Truck race in Richmond on a Thursday night the first week kids are back in school, which has been difficult for families.  Moving that race to a Saturday of another major NASCAR NEXTEL Cup weekend during The Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup will be good for the series."

Once again, all races at Richmond International Raceway will be held at night "Under the Lights."  Fans who hold permanent, renewable tickets for the May weekend will receive their invoices starting next week.  In addition, those fans who would like to add their names to the waiting list for Richmond International Raceway NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series tickets should visit www.rir.com or call 1-866-455-RACE (7223).   The Chevy Rock & Roll 400 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race set for Saturday, September 10 will mark the track's 28th straight series sellout.