Thomas Van Wingerden Looks To Extend Undefeated Streak In Summer Shootout Series

[PressRoom-GFN]

CONCORD, N.C. (June 24, 2008) -- Thomas Van Wingerden, of Huntersville will attempt to remain unbeaten Tuesday night when the Thunder Cars battle on the 1.5-mile Lowe's Motor Speedway during round three of the Quaker Steak & Lube Summer Shootout Series.

Van Wingerden, the most prolific winner in Summer Shootout history with 30 victories, drove his Metrolina Greenhouses Thunder Car to victory on the quarter-mile oval during opening night. He then made it two in a row last Tuesday by holding off his older brother, Michael, as the winged machines raced on the superspeedway, utilizing a road-course style chicane just past the start-finish line.

Presented by Dollar General, round three of the Quaker Steak & Lube Summer Shootout will feature the Thunder Cars drafting in high speed packs around the entire 1.5-mile track.

The Thunder Car is the latest creation from 600 Racing, the world's largest manufacturer of spec race cars. The Harrisburg-based company also builds the extremely popular Legends Cars and Bandoleros.

Designed specifically for superspeedway racing, the Thunder Car evolved from the Thunder Roadster, which was introduced in May of 2000. The Thunder Roadster was designed to resemble the legendary Watson Roadsters that ruled the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the early 1960s. It raced only on short tracks.

Using the same chassis and 1,250cc Yamaha engine, the Thunder Car features an aerodynamic fiberglass body and a rear wing similar to those on NASCAR's new Sprint Cup Series machines.

More than 200 cars jam the Quaker Steak & Lube Summer Shootout pit area each week as three classes of Bandoleros and four divisions of Legends Cars battle on the frontstretch quarter-mile oval. The 10-week series runs each Tuesday night through Aug. 12.

In addition to the eight regular racing divisions, the wild and wacky CRASHCars will also be in action Tuesday night.

Summer Shootout admission is $7 for adults. Children ages 6-12 are admitted for $3 and those under age 6 are free. Tickets are available in advance at the speedway ticket office and at Gates 4 and 5 the night of the event.

Parking is free. Spectator gates open at 5 p.m. with preliminary action at 5:30 p.m.

Feature racing begins at 7:30 p.m. For information, call the speedway ticket office at (800)-455-FANS.

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