CRANDON RACEWAY OFFICIALLY OPENS THIS WEEK

CRANDON, WI -- Crandon International Off-Road Raceway has announced it will officially open for the 2006 season -- it's 37th consecutive year of continuous operation -- Friday, April 28, 2006. The traditional "opening of the gates" at Crandon signifies on-track testing by major Championship Off-Road Racing (CORR) Lucas Oil Series teams and this year is no exception.

The Raceway reports a record number of dates booked this season for private test sessions by high-performance, factory-backed off-road truck racing teams. Test sessions are closed to the public.

This coming weekend marks the return of Pro 4 truck racer Adrian Cenni to Crandon. Cenni, New York City, NY, resumes CORR racing in 2006 after a four-year hiatus. "Crandon is my favorite track on the circuit," said Cenni. "I had a lot of fans at Crandon and I look forward to visiting with them again this year."

Cenni is one of many new drivers expected to bulge the Pro ranks of CORR this coming season. Other newcomers to CORR but veterans of off-road desert racing include Californian's Marty Coyne (Pro 4), Travis Coyne (Pro 2), Andrew Wehe (Pro 2), Jerry Welchel (Pro 2), and Team McMillan (Pro 2). Arizona will contribute Larry Nole (Pro 4) while the Herbst off-road racing juggernaut, headquartered in Nevada, is also expected to compete in the Pro 2 and Pro 4 classes. Many other new competitors are expected in the Pro-Lite compact pickup truck class.

The powerful Forest County Potawatomi off-road truck racing teams invade Crandon for testing the second week of May. The FCP team includes four of the most popular and celebrated off-road drivers in the country. They compete in the four most hotly-contested but fan favorite race divisions. Johnny Greaves, DePere, WI, is the FCP hot shoe in the Pro 4 division and the reigning Crandon World Champion in the class. Jeff Kincaid, Argonne, WI, is the defending Pro-Lite class Lucas Oil CORR champion. Evan Evans, Riverside, CA, carries the Potawatomi colors in the Pro 2 class. Ben Wandahsega, Bark River, MI, is defending Lucas Oil CORR champion in the Sportsman 2 pickup truck class.

Recent track changes will create new driving experiences and sensations for even veteran off-road racers at Crandon. A $100,000 off-season track renovation, including a modified starting line and extensive additions of fresh clay, mean an even faster and more challenging Crandon International Off-Road Raceway. The Raceway has only recently finished the planting of grass and shrubs to the track infield in preparation for the opening.

Throughout the year, major Crandon sponsors such as Ford Truck Division, Skyjacker Suspensions, Toyo Tires, Lucas Oil, NISMO, Kumho Tires, AMSOIL, Red Bull, BF Goodrich and more have private test sessions booked at the track.

Also scheduled to test is the potent Baldwin Racing team. Josh Baldwin, Laguna Beach, CA, is the reigning Potawatomi Chairman's Cup champion at Crandon Raceway. He won the event in his Pro 4 Ford 4x4 but he also competes in the Pro 2 class. In a tragic off-season loss, Jason Baldwin, winner of the 2005 BorgWarner Shootout and the $125,000 BorgWarner Cup, died in a private airplane crash last November. All eyes are on the Baldwin team to see who will be stable mates with Josh Baldwin this coming season.

Even the Forest County Sheriff Department will get in on the "Crandon testing" act. Crandon Raceway is donating its expansive paved pit area for private vehicle training for road patrol officers in May.

Additionally, Crandon Raceway will announce a special "Sportsman Only" test day at the famed track. The Raceway is examining available dates. Only Sportsman off-road racers will be permitted to test at a track-subsidized token fee. "Several Sportsman racers -- both buggy and truck -- are interested in getting as many laps as possible on the new track surface prior to the 2006 BorgWarner off-road World Championships this coming Labor Day weekend," said Cliff Flannery, track president. "They will get a good feeling for the new track at the June 24-25 Potawatomi Brush Run Races. We will open the track for a Sportsman only test session in late July," he said. Flannery said the track would announce the date as soon as possible and no later than the 2006 Potawatomi Brush Run driver's meeting.

Crandon International Off-Road Raceway, in its 37th consecutive season, is considered the World Capital of Off-Road Racing and is the site of the annual Potawatomi Chairman's Cup Heavy Metal Challenge Race (June 24-25) and the BorgWarner World Championship Off-Road Races (September 1-3, Labor Day weekend). This year's running of the 13th annual Potawatomi Chairman's Cup race features a record purse in excess of $50,000 for the 10-lap slugfest over Crandon's 1.75-mile track.

Key sponsors at Crandon in 2006 include the Forest County Potawatomi, BorgWarner, Miller Lite, Ford Trucks, American Axle TracRite, Skyjacker Suspensions, Johnsonville, Toyo Tires, Potawatomi Bingo Northern Lights Casino, Indian Springs Lodge, Coca-Cola, MasterCraft Race Products, Miller Electric Welders, NISMO, Baumgart Tire, AMSOIL, U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Brands, Snap-On, Dasani Water, Precision Gear, Bergstrom Ford, Associated Bank, Parsons Chevrolet, KC Hilites, Alltel Cellular, and Goodyear, among others.

Once again, the Potawatomi Northern Lights Casino is offering a complimentary $5 matchplay to all adults with a paid wristband admission pass to either CORR race weekend, as well as the FCP "Gathering Thunder" Biker Rally IV, June 9-10, featuring John Kay & Steppenwolf and the Ozark Mountain Daredevils. A weekend ticket is eligible for a complimentary $5 matchplay on both Friday and Saturday. A single day admission to is eligible for one $5 matchplay. The Indian Springs Lodge, host hotel for Crandon Raceway, is sold-out for both weekends of CORR off-road racing. Crandon race fans, sponsors and teams will be greeted by an all-new Casino and Lodge complex in Carter, WI. The grand opening for the exciting new Northern Lights Casino and Indian Springs Lodge is May 19, 2006.

More information is available by contacting the Crandon Raceway website at www.crandonoffroad.com or CORR site at www.corracing.com.