Stewart Gives Back Close to Home

Tony Stewart still calls Indiana home.  And Sunday, this born-and-bred Hoosier will be racing on his home turf as the NASCAR Sprint Cup series heads for the Indy Brickyard.

Before the race - tomorrow to be exact - Stewart will take part in a special charity event close to his home and heart at the Office Depot store in Carmel, Ind.  That's where Stewart will give away 5,000 backpacks to representatives from local organizations as part of the Office Depot Foundation's National Backpack Program. 

Although backpacks will not be given to the general public, Stewart will be signing autographs for 350 fans at the event. Wristbands are required for the autograph session and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis at the 12417 N. Meridian Street Office Depot beginning at 8 a.m. tomorrow. Fans with a wristband must be in line no later than 3:30 p.m. to receive an autograph. One autograph per wristband.


Maybe this good turn close to home will bring Stewart a hometown win on Sunday.

Photo info: Tony Stewart shakes hands with a backpack recipient at a Back to School Celebration in Chicago on July 8.

Going to a Race? There Are Deals to Be Had

Let's face it. Nobody decides to go to a race because of $3 hotdogs or $1 off beverages. Now if the tickets are a steal -- then that's a different story. Several tracks have taken a play from Daytona and are lowering their prices. And one driver is even offering free tix to every race in 2009--you just have to enter on his web site. The list below:

Denny Hamlin's team is giving away 12 free tickets to the race at Sonoma in June, and Hamlin is giving away at least four tickets to every Sprint Cup race this season to fans who apply through his Web site.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway dropped select tickets along the backstretch for July's 400-mile Sprint Cup race to $45. The move is an apology of sorts for last year's public-relations disaster when tire problems turned the race into a series of 10-lap shootouts.

Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway is offering $40 tickets, and in a news release touted it as the "Best Deal in 40 Years.”

Texas Motor Speedway is advertising $20 tickets and a flexible payment plan, allowing fans to propose their own payment schedule.

Atlanta Motor Speedway: "Buy 1, Get 1 Free" deal on its $95 ticket with a $25 purchase at Lowe's. Family four-pack, four tickets, four hot dogs and four Cokes for $159. Students with a valid ID get a $19 ticket, adults a $39 ticket.

Darlington Raceway: NASCAR'S oldest superspeedway has 9,000 seats in the Colvin Grandstand at $35 per ticket, a $10 discount for its Southern 500, which is held on Mother's Day weekend.

Martinsville Speedway: Four adult tickets for $159 for the March 29 race. Children 12-18 get half-price tickets, while backstretch tickets are $25. Family four-pack - two adults, two children - $99, a $41 discount.

At the Lowes Motor Speedway: Tickets for the Coca-Cola 600 start at $49, while tickets for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race begin at only $25 and can be purchased online at http://www.lowesmotorspeedway.com/.

Compiled from multiple sources. I'll update regularly as I find out more.