TALLADEGA, AL – The annual American Red Cross-Talladega Superspeedway “Laps for Life” blood drive returns to Talladega Superspeedway on Thursday, September 11, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Fox Sports1 Dome at the International Motorsports Hall of Fame. This year’s event comes with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: All presenting donors will be taken on a high speed ride around NASCAR’s Most Competitive Track in Talladega Superspeedway’s official pace car.
Not only will donors be doing an admirable act by giving blood, but will in turn be treated to an incredible day at Talladega Superspeedway that also includes a tour of the track and the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, as well as the chance to take home great track items and prizes. The annual Laps for Life event at TSS began in 2007.
“Hospital patients continue to need lifesaving blood this fall, and they’re relying on the generosity of volunteer donors to give them hope in the days and weeks ahead,” said Alicia Anger, External Communications Manager, Alabama and Central Gulf Coast Blood Services. “Please, consider giving the gift of life. Each day donations come up short, less blood is available for patients in need – and you never know when it could be your loved one needing blood.”
To register online go to www.redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code: talladega. Follow instructions on the website to complete registration. All preregistered donors will receive two complimentary grandstand tickets to the fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Talladega Superspeedway on October 18.
On the day of the event there will be five Pit Stops for participants to move through to complete their Laps for Life. The credential will be issued at Pit Stop 1, “Draw for Qualifying,” where participants will register to have blood drawn for donation, thus qualifying them for the rest of the adventure. There, they also will receive a ticket qualifying them for spectacular door prizes.
After presenting to give blood, participants will move on to Pit Stop 2, “Souvenir Row,” where they’ll receive a goody bag filled with special items to commemorate the occasion. For the first 100 participants there will be an additional ticket to the fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola race.
From there they’ll move to Pit Stop 3, “Driver’s Meeting,” to learn more about the history of motorsports by taking a free tour of the International Motorsports Hall of Fame and Museum. After the museum tour, participants will venture outside to board a bus that will take them on a track tour of the famous Talladega Superspeedway. The tour will lead to Pit Stop 4, “Type Testing.” Here, guests will be given a ride around the track in Talladega’s official pace car, followed by the opportunity to take photos taken in Gatorade Victory Lane.
Participants will return to the Hall of Fame for Pit Stop 5, “The Donor Diner,” where they will enjoy a complimentary sandwich provided by Smoke N Hot BBQ.
The American Red Cross, Blood Services, Alabama and Central Gulf Coast Region, which supplies blood to approximately 100 hospitals, needs 600 blood donors each day in order to meet the needs of patients in the region. Blood donors must be at least 17 years old (16 with parental consent) and weigh at least 110 pounds. Please call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit www.redcrossblood.org to make an appointment to donate blood or platelets.
Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
NASCAR speeds back into Talladega Superspeedway October 17-19 for the GEICO 500 Sprint Cup Series race and fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola Camping World Truck Series event. NASCAR’s Most Competitive Track (record 88 lead changes in 188 laps), with the circuit’s steepest banking (33 degrees) and longest distance (2.66 miles), is also the most fun and fan-friendly, offering up hundreds of acres of free camping, amazing kids ticket prices and special offers for military members and college students. Talladega Superspeedway is NASCAR’s “Party Capital” thanks to the track’s infamous infield and world renowned Talladega Blvd. The historic venue has always worked hard to enhance the fan experience in every way and now features the most comfortable seats in motorsports, large video viewing boards (a new initiative planned for future implementation at all ISC tracks) lining the frontstretch and endless activities for fans throughout its event weekends. Log on to www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 877-Go2-DEGA for more information. This is more than a race, this is Talladega!