This weekend at the Coca-Cola 600, eight Nextel Cup drivers and two Busch drivers will lead all NASCAR fans in the American Heroes Memorial Day salute to the armed forces to kick off a nationwide effort to raise funds for military families in need. It is the largest military tribute effort in history by NASCAR drivers.

Participating drivers include Greg Biffle, Ward Burton, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin, Shane Huffman, Jimmie Johnson, Mark Martin, Casey Mears and Jon Wood. Each will drive a specially designed car supporting a branch of the American military or one of the military support organizations.

The pre-race festivities at the Coca-Cola 600 will feature General Peter Pace, USMC, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff. He is the 16th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and serves as the principal military advisor to the President, the Secretary of Defense and the National Security Council. He is the first Marine to serve as the Chairman.

The American Heroes Memorial Day Tribute is being supported by Sprint Nextel, which will conduct a national fundraising campaign to encourage Sprint Nextel customers to support the troops with their donations to the USO. By texting 67783 on their Sprint Nextel phones, customers can sign up to contribute to the campaign and receive the donation forms via email.

Diecast models and officially licensed merchandise of the participating drivers will be available for sale at Motorsports Authentics trailers at Lowe's Motor Speedway beginning this weekend and online at www.goracing.com right now. Wal-Mart stores will feature the licensed merchandise in July.

Four major organizations will work together to promote the American Heroes Memorial Day Tribute and support the event fundraising efforts - the USO, America Supports You, Speedway Children's Charities, and the Special Operations Hero Fund.

Visual Opportunities

• General Pace will meet with more than 4,000 soldiers at the American Heroes pavilion at 1 p.m. on Sunday afternoon
• General Pace will be available for interviews on Sunday afternoon between 3 p.m. and 4:15 p.m.
• General Pace will greet drivers on stage during driver introductions
• The special paint schemes of the 10 participating drivers will take to the track for the first time on Thursday afternoon
• Individual drivers are available to discuss their special paint schemes and their role in the American Heroes program - please contact the team public relations representatives to arrange.