ALL SPOTS FILLED FOR FOURTH ANNUAL SPIRIT OF AMERICA 500 BLOOD DRIVE AT MIS ON SEPTEMBER 11: DONORS NEEDED TO HELP HURRICANE KATRINA VICTIMS

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Courtesy Bill Janitz, Michigan International Speedway, Director of Public Relations

BROOKLYN, Mich. – For the fourth year in-a-row, Michigan International Speedway will put volunteer blood donors on the fast track for the largest single-day blood drive in the State of Michigan. With a record amount of appointments, all spots for the 2005 event have now been filled.

The race-themed blood drive features a commemorative event credential, shirt, hat and pin, lunch, and a tour of the MIS facilities, along with gifts from various sponsors and an opportunity for a discounted Richard Petty Driving Experience ride-along.

In 2004, the blood drive held claim to the largest blood drive in the country on September 11, with a record-shattering 535 units of blood taken during the 2004 event.

The event name has been changed for 2005 from the Spirit of America 400 to 500 to note the goal of again collecting over 500 units of blood. The 10-hour blood drive is slated for Sunday, September 11, from 8:30- A.M. to 6:15 P.M., at MIS.

Along with the message of remembering and honoring the victims and heroes of September 11, this year’s event takes on additional importance in the wake of Hurricane Katrina which ravaged the Gulf Coast of the United States last week.

“The success of the event has really come from the effort of those who have given blood since it started. We continue to be overwhelmed by how the event has grown through the generosity of so many,” said MIS President Brett Shelton. “While we will continue to remember those that were lost on September 11, 2001 during this event, Hurricane Katrina has shown us how important it is to give back to great organizations such as the American Red Cross, whether it’s giving the gift of blood, or monetary donations to help other Americans in need.”

With recent events reminding us of the importance of being prepared, the Spirit of America blood drive will offer the presenting blood donors and guests an opportunity to learn about disaster preparedness. Michigan International Speedway will also offer donors an opportunity to purchase a commemorative pin for $5.00 with all proceeds going to the Hurricane Katrina Relief effort.

In addition to the opportunity for donors to learn more about disaster preparedness and donate money to the Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief fund, donors will also have a chance to take a ride-along at speed in a Richard Petty Driving Experience stock car around the 2-mile MIS oval. The special donor price for the ride will be $80, with $20 going directly to the American Red Cross Hurricane Katrina Relief effort.

Sponsors for the Fourth Annual Spirit of America 500 include: Americrown, Country Fresh, C&L Sanitation, Inc., ProMedica Health System, Addison Graphic Solutions, AAA of Michigan, Pepsi, Brooklyn-Irish Hills Chamber of Commerce, Meijer, Indy Racing League, Breadsmith, DDM Marketing and Communications, Fox-47, Richard Petty Driving Experience, Hickory Farms, NASCAR, Kodak and Advance America.

Media Note: Media interested in covering the Spirit of America 400 can visit MIS anytime between 8:30 A.M. and 6:15 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 11. Media must use the main entrance off of U.S. 12 and follow the signs to the right leading to the MIS entertainment building.

Please call MIS Director of Public Relations, Bill Janitz at 517-592-1272 or Kelly Powell at the American Red Cross at 1-800-968-4283 ext 392 with any further questions or details on covering the event.