DON SCHUMACHER RACING TO RECEIVE A TEXAS-SIZED WELCOME FROM LA PORTE

LA PORTE, Texas (March 25, 2008) – The city of La Porte, Texas, is honoring the Don Schumacher Racing team for the second consecutive year during its annual Motorhead Maniacs event, held downtown on Thursday, March 27, from 6 p.m to 9 p.m., in advance of the weekend's NHRA Spring Nationals at Houston Raceway Park.

The highlight of the event is a free autograph session featuring Don Schumacher Racing team drivers Jack Beckman (Valvoline/MTS Dodge Funny Car), Cory McClenathan (FRAM Top Fuel dragster), Chip Ellis (Schumacher Electric Suzuki Pro Stock Motorcycle) and Jerry Toliver (Rockstar Energy Drink Dodge Funny Car), as well as classic rock music from JJ Dynomite, moonwalks for the kids, food and drinks and an auto show displaying classic cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, dragsters, oval-track racing cars, other unique vehicles, as well as the U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster.

"The outpouring of support from the La Porte community for the DSR drivers and teams has been very much appreciated," offered DSR Senior Vice President, Mike Lewis. "The drivers are all busy at NHRA races with sponsor commitments, but they very much enjoyed the interaction with the La Porte residents and fans of the sport last year. We made many new DSR friends who will hopefully come out to see us race at Houston Raceway Park this weekend."

The Motorhead Maniacs event will be located in on Main Street/Spencer between SH 146 and Broadway and is free to the public. The event is sponsored by the Main Street Program-City of La Porte, Comfort Suites of La Porte, Main 101 Grill & Bar, Coupland Signs, and Don Schumacher Racing.

For more information, contact Debra Dye at dyed@.laportetx.gov or call 281-470-5017.

The NHRA Spring Nationals, the fourth round of the 24-event NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, begins at Friday, March 28-30, with the professional qualifying sessions scheduled for 2 and 5 p.m.on Friday and 11:15 a.m. and 2 p.m.on Saturday. Eliminations begin at 11 p.m. on Sunday.