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TonyB
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- On the front steps of Sun Studio, and in harmony with Tuesday's worldwide celebration of "50 Years of Rock 'n' Roll," officials from Memphis Motorsports Park, along with Elvis Presley Enterprises, the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau and Action Performance Companies, announced that former NASCAR Cup champion Bill Elliott will compete in the Sam's Town 'He Dared To Rock' 250 on Oct . 23 in a specially-designed Dodge sponsored by Lucas Oil and Boyd Gaming Corporation's Sam's Town Tunica Hotel & Gambling Hall.
Elliott and officials from the track unveiled the No. 09 Elvis Presley 'He Dared To Rock' Dodge at the legendary Sun Studio Tuesday, fifty years to the day that a young Presley stepped inside the studio to record the revolutionary "That's All Right." Also on hand at this once-in-a-lifetime celebration of Memphis music were "50 Years of Rock 'n' Roll Ambassadors" Justin Timberlake, Isaac Hayes, Scotty Moore and "Sam the Sham" Samudio.
"Just to be a part of an event like this is an honor," Elliott said. "What a neat deal it's going to be, running with Elvis in his hometown. We've got a good-looking paint scheme that sure would look good in Victory Lane, too."
Adorned with a logo of Elvis on the hood, the car will carry "Awesome Bill" Elliott in his first race in Memphis and his first NASCAR Busch Series race since the 1994 season opening Goody's 300 at Daytona International Speedway.
"We have long enjoyed our relationship with racing and NASCAR. As we celebrate this very special 50th anniversary year, we just know how proud Elvis would be to know that his image and Legacy are being honored in this exciting sport and, even better, in his own home town," said Jack Soden, CEO of Elvis Presley Enterprises.
"Two legends. One car. One big race. It's almost too good to be true," said Jason Rittenberry, Memphis Motorsports Park vice president and general manager. "But thanks to Elvis Presley Enterprises, Lucas Oil, Sam's Town and the Memphis CVB, our fans are in for what could be the most anticipated NASCAR race in Memphis' history."
Elliott, a two-time Daytona 500 champion with 44 career wins and a member of the Coca-Cola Racing Family, is running a limited NASCAR Nextel Cup campaign this year. Voted the Most Popular Driver a record 16 times by the fans, Elliott was also the 1988 Cup champion.
Also expected to be in the field for the fall race at Memphis is Elliott's protégé rookie phenom Kasey Kahne, who is running a full points schedule on both the Nextel Cup and Busch Series.
Action Performance Companies, the leader in licensed motorsports collectibles and memorabilia, designed Elliott's "He Dared To Rock" paint scheme, which adds to the company's repertoire of Elvis Presley-inspired racecars. Action also will produce die-cast replicas of the No. 09 Elvis Presley 'He Dared to Rock' Dodge in a variety of collector edition scales.
