State-of-the-art facility to be constructed adjacent to NASCAR Craftsman Truck Sereis Track

NORWALK, Ohio (August 28, 2006) - The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) announced today a multi-year agreement with Mansfield Motorsports Park to host the World Nationals, the drag racing event formerly held in Norwalk, Ohio.  One of the finest half-mile asphalt oval race tracks in the country.  Mansfield Motorsports Park in home to a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race, and will begin construction of a world class drag racing venue to be built on the grounds.

"Moving the World Nationals to the state-of-the-art facility Mansfield Motorsports Park is constructing takes the event and IHRA to the next level" said IHRA President Aaron Polburn.  "we've had major success in Ohio Throughout the years, and without a doubt, Mansfield will continue IHRA's dominance in the state.

"This is a beautiful track, a true showcase of what a respected motorsports facility should look like, said Polburn,  "The attention to detail the track owner put into this facility is comparable to the finest racetracks in America, If you like US 131 Motorsports Park, with its impeccable design and construction, you"re going to love Mansfield Motorsports Park."

The track, located in Mansfield, Ohio, in the north-central part of the state, between its NASCAR event, Hooters Pro Cup event and other significant races, will have nearly 350,000 spectators through the gates by the end of 2006.  Mansfield is located within and hour from Cleveland, Columbus, Akron and Canton, all major Ohio markets.

"Of all the aspects that make the facility great, it's our location," said Mansfield Motorsports Park owner Mike Dzurilla.  "We're midway between Cleveland and Columbus, located 10 minutes from downtown Mansfield and close to Interstate 71.  We'll have no curfew and plenty of parking and camping.

Topograph surveys have been done on the grounds of Mansfield Motorsports Park and architects and engineers are in the midst of mapping out the details for the facility.  While it will be a new drag strip, the infrastructure necessary for the operational functioning of running a race already in place with the circle track.

"We have a staff of people here that are customer-service oriented towards racers, sponsors, sanctioning bodies and fans.  In addition, the city of Mansfield is a major supporter of this faclity,"said Dzurilla.  "this part of the U.S. is IHRA country we'll make the racers feel welcome and give them a facility they can call home.

"With the addition of the drag strip, we'll now have a true motorsports park in Ohio, "added Dzurilla.

The architects designing the drag strip at Mansfield Motorsports Park have built several various motorsports facilities, incuding US 131 Motorsports Speedway park in Grand Rapids, Mich., home to IHRA's Torco Northern Nationals. 

About IHRA

Headquatered in Norwalk, Ohio, the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA), a division of Live Nation, promotes professional, semi-professional and local level racing opportunities for drivers at all levels.  The eMax Drag Racing Series is an 11-event North American professional drag racing circuit.  In 2006, the series will be comprised of eight events in major cities throughout the United States and three in Canada.  The Mr. Gasket Pro-Am Championship consists of competition at national events  and 35 events in six regional divisions, while IHRA's Summit SuperSeries is conducted nearly every weekend at over 90 IHRA-sanctioned tracks.  Providing a safe environment to develop future stars, IHRA offers the PM-1 Junior Dragster Racing Series for youths ages 8-17.  Stand-alone events include Live Nation's entertainment-filled "Thunder Jam" shows and the street legal racing and lifestyle event series Kumho Street Warriorz presented by Hooters.  More information can be foun at www.ihra.com.

Live Nation is one of the world's largest diversified promoters and producers of, venue operators and sponsorship/advertising for, live entertainment events including music concerts, theatrical peformances, and specialized motor sports events.  Live Nation owns, operates or has booking rights for 150 venues worldwide including 107 domestic and 43 international venue sites.  In 2005, promoted and/or produced over 28,500 events with attendance at venues exceeding 81 million persons.