As part of its National Tourism Week celebration, the Cabarrus County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CCVB) will host two of NASCAR's brightest shooting stars, Joey Logano and Chrissy Wallace, for an autograph event at the Cabarrus County Visitor Center at I-85 Exit 60 on Friday, May 16, 2008, from 11am to 1pm. Local author Anita Rich will also be present for a book signing, and copies of her new book, NASCAR Portraits, will be available for purchase.

Logano, a 17-year-old racing sensation, turns 18 on May 24, and one week later on May 31 he makes his Nationwide Series debut in Dover, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing. NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Mark Martin calls Joey Logano "the real deal." In fact, Martin says at 17 Joey already has more talent than some of the drivers he regularly competes against in the big leagues of NASCAR. At 17 Logano already has more than a dozen years of driving experience.

Wallace, daughter and niece of the popular Wallace family of NASCAR racers, is another local racing sensation who has been receiving national media attention. The 20-year-old Wallace made her NASCAR debut March 29 in the Craftsman Truck Series Kroger 250 and will drive five Truck races and five ARCA races this season for Germain Racing. Wallace is determined to continue her ground-breaking career as a successful driver and role model for women who want to compete in any environment.

Rich's new book, Portraits of NASCAR, offers a rare glimpse into the private lives of nearly 35 NASCAR drivers in their dens, kitchens and living rooms. The book's stunning black-and-white photographs and accompanying text invite readers to share in the lives of drivers beyond the track.

"The theme of this year's National Tourism Week is Discover Great American Traditions," notes CCVB President/CEO DeSales Wagster. "With this event we are celebrating not only our area's traditional ties to racing, but also future traditions represented by these stars of tomorrow."

The autograph and book signing event is free and open to the public. The Cabarrus County Convention & Visitors Bureau is a destination marketing organization funded by the transient occupancy tax collected by Cabarrus County hotels. Its mission is to gain and retain visitors to Cabarrus County, increase visitor awareness, encourage visitor expenditures, and enhance Cabarrus County's tax base and image through destination marketing.