May 1, 2008

O’Reilly Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Welcomes Back Drive Smart Kentucky 
  

Louisville, Kentucky-April 30, 2008- O’Reilly Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series CEO Tom McConnell and series officials would like to welcome back the State of Kentucky’s Drive Smart program as a marketing partner with America’s most competitive regional racing series.  The Drive Smart Kentucky program is an effort to increase public awareness about highway safety, not just in Kentucky, but all over the country. 

In statistics kept since 2004, 55% of those people killed in automobile accidents nationwide were not wearing safety belts.  In fact, of all fatalities that occurred among pickup truck drivers, 68% of those were not wearing a safety belt.  The state of Kentucky reports that the odds of surviving a rollover crash in a light weight truck (pickup truck) increase by nearly 80% by just buckling those safety belts.

Through its association with the Drive Smart program, the Bluegrass State of Kentucky has been able to place signs, and in some areas of the commonwealth, portable radar trailers throughout of the state’s twelve corridors as well as the entrance and exit areas of all weigh stations, rest areas, welcome centers, and state parks.  In addition, traffic safety checkpoints are coordinated with state and local law enforcement agencies in an effort to enforce all traffic safety laws and also identify vehicle equipment violations.

"The Kentucky Office of Highway Safety's, Drive Smart Kentucky program, was established for the purpose of preventing deaths and injuries on Kentucky's highways," said Boyd Sigler, Director of Highway Safety Programs.  "Lack of safety belt use, speeding and impaired driving lead to the greatest number of deaths and injuries in Kentucky."

Drive Smart Kentucky and the O’Reilly Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series will present several activities at different racing events on the series schedule throughout the season to increase driver safety and awareness to race fans and race teams alike.  Drive Smart Kentucky also coordinates programs in schools throughout Kentucky to educate students on making correct choices in life and facing the consequences of operating a motor vehicle while impaired.  Furthermore, Drive Smart helps to educate drivers on safely traveling with commercial vehicles by bringing an actual tractor-trailer vehicle to schools, fairs, and other special events. 

As a part of Drive Smart Kentucky’s involvement in the O’Reilly Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series for 2008, Drive Smart will sponsor the “Drive Smart Move of the Race” for the driver that makes an outstanding move or pass during the course of an O’Reilly A-Main event. 

The O’Reilly Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series sanctions regional Super Late Model racing events at tracks in Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, and Tennessee.  For more information about America’s most competitive regional racing series, visit the series webpage on the world wide web at www.battleofthebluegrass.com or call the series office at (859) 762-1606 or (502) 931-5068.

2008 O’Reilly Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Sponsors:

*O'Reilly Auto Parts - Title Sponsor and "Official Auto Parts Retailer” of the O'Reilly Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series

*Max Brake- “Official Trailer Brakes” of the O’Reilly Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series

*CarbonX- “Official Flame Shielding Fabric” of the O’Reilly Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series

*Health PMO- “Official Health Care Company” of the O’Reilly Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series

*Graphic Impressions- Presenting Sponsor and “Official Souvenir and Merchandise Vendor” of the O’Reilly Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series

*Bob Hook Chevrolet of Louisville- “Official Auto Dealership” of the O’Reilly Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series

Other O’Reilly Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series 2008 Series Supporters Include: American Race Tires, C.J. Rayburn Race Cars, Curtis Signs, Cruise With The Champions, Double H Race Fabrication, Drive Smart Kentucky, DT52 Photos, Hoosier Race Tires, Kentucky’s Best Racing, K&N Performance Engineering, PPM Racing Products, Racing Optics, Real Wheels, Trailer Parts and Service, Wayne Bowen Racing Supply