Rossburg,OH — For the past four years, some of the world’s biggest stars in automobile racing have gathered in rural Ohio to take on America’s premier dirt track for a chance to test their skills in a different arena than they are used to, and also to join in the effort of helping others.
Racing heroes such as Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman, Kyle Busch, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards and Kasey Kahne will journey to the heartland of America on June 3 and once again be on the high banks of Stewart’s Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, for the Fifth Annual Prelude to the Dream.
The all-star race, which starts at 7 p.m. (EDT) and will be broadcast live to the entire nation on HBO Pay-Per-View®, puts 26 of the top drivers in the country in 2,300-pound dirt Late Model stock cars capable of putting out more than 800 horsepower.
And while more than 20,000 fans will jam Eldora Speedway to watch their racing heroes take part in the Prelude to the Dream, the real heroes – the men and women who serve and protect the United States – will benefit from the money raised.
After the first four events collectively raised more than $2 million in contributions to the Victory Junction Gang Camp, this year’s Prelude will benefit four entities that cater to severely injured military personnel or fallen soldiers and their families.
“I can’t think of a better time to dig deep and help the real heroes of this country,” Stewart said. “We all understand that the economy is making each one of us consider different choices. We have those choices because of those who protect us. Everyone involved in this event is committed helping the men and women who defend our freedom. Now, we just need everyone out there to join in and be part of this special night.”
The special night will directly benefit four charities – Wounded Warrior Project, Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, Operation Homefront and Fisher House. Each has a mission that outlines assistance to the courageous men and women who serve our country and need additional support, both during and after their time of service.
The primary mission of the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is to honor and empower wounded warriors. The WWP began when several individuals took small, inspired actions to help others in need. After learning the difficulty that several wounded service members faced upon returning home from Afghanistan and Iraq, a dedicated group realized there was a need to help these brave men and women. The result became an organization that provides tangible support for the severely wounded and assists them on the road to healing, both physically and mentally. More information about the Wounded Warrior Project can be found by visiting www.WoundedWarriorProject.org.
The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, which began in 2000, is a leader in supporting the men and women of the Armed Forces and their families. The Fund has operated as an independent, not-for-profit organization since 2003, and has provided more than $65 million in support for the families of military personnel lost in service to our nation, and for severely wounded military personnel and veterans. These efforts are funded entirely by donations from the public, and hundreds of thousands of individuals have made contributions to the Fund, of which 100 percent go toward these programs. For more details, visit www.FallenHeroesFund.org.
Operation Homefront is dedicated to providing emergency assistance and morale to U.S. troops, to the families they leave behind, and to wounded warriors when they return home. This nonprofit organization leads more than 4,500 volunteers in 30 chapters nationwide and has provided critical assistance to more than 45,000 military families in need. More details on the ways Operation Homefront benefits soldiers and their families can be found at www.OperationHomefront.net
The Fisher House program is a unique, private-public partnership that supports America’s military in their time of need. The Fisher House mission is to provide “a home away from home” for families of patients receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers. The homes are normally located within walking distance of the treatment facility or have transportation available. There are 43 Fisher Houses located on 18 military installations and 10 VA medical centers. Additional information about The Fisher House can be found at www.fisherhouse.org.
The Prelude to the Dream, like all automobile racing in the United States, is simply not possible without the men and women of the military ensuring the daily freedom of U.S. citizens and residents. Simply put, the more people who order this event on HBO Pay-Per-View, the more money that goes to the injured and fallen soldiers and their families who have provided the opportunity to conduct this event.
HOW TO ORDER:
· The live, commercial-free broadcast will begin at 7 p.m. EDT (4 p.m. PDT), with an immediate replay following.
· All that is necessary to order the event is a digital cable box on one’s TV or satellite service. A subscription to HBO is not required.
· The suggested retail price is $24.95 and it is available to more than 71 million pay-per-view homes. Ordering information and up-to-the-minute racing information is available at www.hbo.com.
· Depending on whether one has cable TV or satellite service, prospective viewers can order the Prelude to the Dream beginning June 1.
· The following are step-by-step instructions to help place an order for the Fifth Annual Prelude to the Dream on HBO Pay-Per-View:
Ø Cable Customers: All that is necessary to order the event is a digital cable box on your TV. If you are not sure about the kind of box you have, contact your cable company and ask if you have a digital cable box that gets Pay-Per-View (PPV). Once you know you have a digital cable box, scroll through the Pay-Per-View channels on your electronic program guide for Wednesday, June 3 at 7 p.m. EDT, and look for “Auto Racing: Prelude/Dream Stewart & Gordon.” Once you see the entry, click it and follow the on-screen instructions to order. If your cable system does not accept orders from your remote control, contact a customer service representative either the day before or the day of the race. Make sure you tell the representative that you are looking to order “Auto Racing: Prelude/Dream Stewart & Gordon.” Some cable systems have a short window available to order PPV events. The more specific you are with the customer service representative, the easier it will be to place your order.
Ø DirecTV Customers: All DirecTV customers can order. You can find the event on Channel 123 in Standard-Definition. Go to the programming guide for those channels for Wednesday, June 3 at 7 p.m. EDT, and look for “Auto Racing: Prelude/Dream Stewart & Gordon.” Once you see the entry, click the event and follow the on-screen instructions to order.
Ø DISH Network Customers: All DISH Network customers can order. You can find the event on Channels 455/472 in Standard-Definition. Scroll through the programming guide for those channels for Wednesday, June 3 at 7 p.m. EDT, and look for “Auto Racing: Prelude/Dream Stewart & Gordon.” Once you see the entry, click the event and follow the on-screen instructions to order.
· If any problems are encountered during ordering, contact a customer service representative anytime on Wednesday, June 3, to make sure the order is processed and the race can be viewed. Once it is ordered, sit back and enjoy the ride.
