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Family Chevrolet extends marketing partnership with Placerville Speedway for remainder of 2008 racing season

PLACERVILLE, CA (5-14-08) - For the last five racing seasons, Family Chevrolet-Cadillac of Shingle Springs has sponsored the Annual Tribute to Al Hinds race at Placerville Speedway. Now, the longtime area auto dealership has collaborated with John Padjen Motorsports, partnering to promote the sport of auto racing in El Dorado County for the remainder of the 2008 racing season.

For the remainder of the 2008 racing season, Family Chevrolet will feature the main event winner in their weekly advertisement in the Mountain Democrat Newspaper and will assist in the promotion of upcoming events within the marketing campaign by offering a number of complimentary tickets to area residents who stop by the dealership. The promotion offers a limit of two tickets per family, one time only while supplies last for each upcoming event.

"This is about supporting the community that supports us," says Tony Montalbano, owner of Family Chevrolet-Cadillac. "It's about community and through the effort, we hope down the line if someone has a need for a car or service, they will remember us and give us the opportunity to provide that service."

This season, Family Chevrolet took their annual Tribute to Al Hinds race to a whole new level, working together with Placerville Speedway and a number of drivers to present the first annual "Tribute to Al Hinds" sprint car show and bbq on the day of the foothill speedway's special race. The event brought race fans of all ages out in huge numbers to meet the drivers and enjoy a complimentary lunch. Additionally, dealership Montalbano treated nearly 500 tickets to visitors to attend the evening's event.

Family Chevrolet Cadillac presented the first annual Tribute to Al Hinds race car show and BBQ this year and has partnered with Placerville Speedway to continue support for the remainder of the racing season. Photo by Greg Clark

The all day event combined with a joint advertising and public relations effort in the weeks prior brought a record crowd to the speedway that night, filling the grandstand to standing room only status and forcing speedway management to place emergency orders for additional food and beverage supplies early in the night. The success of the event can be much attributed to Montalbano and the Family Chevrolet staff for their commitment to community support.

"The response to the Al Hinds race this season was incredible and words cannot express the gratitude to Tony and the whole Family Chevrolet staff for their commitment to the racing community," said Bill Sullivan, Director of Communications of Placerville Speedway who worked with Montalbano five years to create the Tribute to Al Hinds and form a community partnership that becomes even stronger with this newest promotion effort. Montalbano is no stranger to event promotion in El Dorado County, previously promoting professional rodeo events at the El Dorado County Farigrounds several years ago.

"In this sport sponsorships rely on relationships and commitment, added Sullivan. "In a day when our economy is struggling, our housing market is nearly non existent and fuel prices are off the mark it is people like Tony Montalbano and their commitment to the community that keep this sport strong. In tough economic times the entertainment industry historically is the last entity to see a decline. Due to supporters like Family Chevrolet, new faces and families are in our grandstands each week and that's what promotion is all about. "We are very appreciative of this new marketing partnership and for Tony's commitment to community support.

Family Chevrolet's promotional effort limits two tickets per family each week and recipients can benefit from the giveaway one time only. This allows the program to function as it is designed to do, bringing new faces into Family Chevrolet and new visitors to Placerville Speedway each week to enjoy the great sport of auto racing.

In addition to the Tribute to Al Hinds and this latest weekly promotion, Family Chevrolet has sponsored area racing in several fashions. For several years they fielded the #24 sprint car driven by Shawn Whitney and have provided financial assistance to local driver Jimmy Trulli as well as being instrumental along with Thompson's Auto Centers in bringing the former El Dorado County New Car Dealers Association to become the title sponsor of the race track four three consecutive years. Much like Montalbano, Thompson continues to support area racing as well, providing great financial support to local drivers Colby Wiesz, Scott Russell, James Sweeney and Chris Curtiss.

For additional information on Placerville Speedway check them out on the web at www.placervillespeedway.com. For further information on Family Chevrolet check them out online at www.familychevrolet.com. The dealership is located at 4050 Motherlode Drive in Shingle Springs.