MICHIGAN INT'L SPEEDWAY: Evander Holyfield, Saving Abel among 'Show Me the CARFAX Race Weekend' grand marshal lineup

BROOKLYN, Mich. (Aug. 11, 2010) — Five-time heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield has been named co-grand marshal for this weekend’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series CARFAX 400 at Michigan International Speedway.

Evander “Real Deal” Holyfield is the only professional boxer to win the heavyweight boxing title five times and is one of the greatest boxers in history. The former contestant of the first season of “Dancing with the Stars” has an impressive boxing record of 43 wins (28 by knock out), 10 losses and 2 draws.

“I look forward to being the co-grand marshal for the CARFAX 400 and meeting all the great fans at Michigan International Speedway,” Holyfield said.

Virginia Craig, a 17-old native of Hickory, N.C., is also co-grand marshal Sunday. Her wish through the Make-A-Wish Foundation is to say the most famous words in motorsports: “Gentlemen, start your engines!” Craig, who was born with spina bifida, is a life-long NASCAR fan whose favorite driver is Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

Rockers Saving Abel, along with Matthew Stamm, son of Asbury Automotive Group Vice President John Stamm, will handle the duty for the NASCAR Nationwide Series CARFAX 250 on Saturday.

Saving Abel, from Corinth, Miss., is best known for the chart-topping hit “Addicted” and will headline a post-race concert Saturday in Lot 10.

“We have four fantastic representatives this year to fire everyone up for both races,” said Larry Gamache, communications director at Carfax.  “Virginia is a delightful girl whose one wish is to grand marshal a NASCAR race, which we’re proud to grant. Matthew and Saving Abel bring tons of energy to the first race of the weekend. Finally, it’s an honor to have a great champion like Evander Holyfield help us kick off the CARFAX 400.”

Nestled in the lush Irish Hills of Southeastern Michigan, Michigan International Speedway is the Great Escape, a venerable NASCAR national park where fans can get away and enjoy the very best in racing and camaraderie. It’s the love of racing and the thrill of a great time for race fans and drivers alike. 

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series tickets for the CARFAX 400 this Sunday start as low as $25. Visit MISpeedway.com or call the MIS ticket hotline at 800-354-1010 today to take advantage of great pricing.

Michigan International Speedway - 2010 Schedule

Friday, Aug. 13           Meijer Pole Day
Saturday, Aug. 14       NASCAR Nationwide Series CARFAX 250
Sunday, Aug. 15         NASCAR Sprint Cup Series CARFAX 400

CONTACTS: Sammie Lukaskiewicz, MIS Director of Communications (517) 592-1208 or slukaskiewicz@mispeedway.com // Dennis Worden, MIS Manager of Public Relations (517) 592-1204 or dworden@mispeedway.com