CHARLES SHOEMAKER TO MAKE NASCAR

Charles Shoemaker, from McDonough, GA, will make his NASCAR Winston Racing Series debut this Saturday night, May 8 at Lanier National Speedway in Braselton, GA. NASCAR rules state that a driver must be sixteen years of age and posses a state driver's license. This Saturday is the first opportunity for the young driver to meet those requirements.

Shoemaker is a four time Grand National champion in Quarter Midgets. This accomplishment was of such a magnitude that Charles was featured in Sports Illustrated. He has been driving Legends Cars for the past year at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Shoemaker has the guidance from late model ace Joey Clanton, who will be his crew chief for the 1999 season.

In addition to his NASCAR racing this season, Charles will be running the Legends Summer Shootout Series. He will be driving a car with the Speedway Children’s Charities logos. Charles will donate all his earnings to this great charity.

Charles began racing at the tender age of 12. He is a four time Grand National Champion in Quarter Midgets. His accomplishment of winning three quarter midget titles in the same class and division in one year -1997- is something no other driver had ever done before – not even Jeff Gordon.

Charles started his racing career in 1995 and served noticed to the Quarter Midget competitors that he was going to be a future champion. He won 2 local races then won the States race while establishing a new track record in qualifying.

In 1996, Charles won 4 regional races including the prestigious Turkey Gobbler event in Huntsville, AL. Again he won the pole by setting a new track record. He finished 1^st in two lower main races and 6^th in the A-main races at his first ever Eastern Nationals in Xenia, OH. He also won the Georgia State Championship that year.

1997 was Charles’ record setting year. His 4 national championships were: the Eastern Grand Nationals held in Syracuse, New York in both the Light B and Light Modified divisions; the Western Grand Nationals held in Sacramento, California; and the Dirt Grand Nationals held in Terre Haute, Indiana. Charles also won 14 local races, 6 regional races and 10 national races in addition to his 4 Grand National Championships. Along the way, Charles broke the track qualifying records at 7 racetracks.