Hall of Fame Player Giving Command To Start 50-Lap Super Late Model Race Featuring Wisconsin’s Top Short Track Talent
Milwaukee, Wis. (August 23, 2007) – Leroy Butler, one of the inspirational leaders of the Green Bay Packers’ Super Bowl XXXI-winning team, has been named Grand Marshal of the Wisconsin All-Star 50 with Matt Kenseth race this Sunday afternoon, August 26th at The Milwaukee Mile.
Butler collected 20½ sacks and picked-off 38 interceptions during his 12-year playing career with the Packers, from the 1990 through 2001 seasons. The inventor of the popular “Lambeau Leap” end zone plunge into the stands was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame this past July.
Butler, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, was named to the NFL 1990’s All-Decade Team by the Pro Football Hall of Fame for his outstanding play at defensive back for the 1996 NFL Champions, and has accepted the invitation of his former teammate and current Milwaukee Mile shareholder Gilbert Brown to participate in his first auto racing experience at America’s Legendary Oval.
Among his honorary duties, Butler will be greeting the drivers before the much-anticipated super late model showdown between Wisconsin NASCAR superstar Matt Kenseth and the finest short track late model racers in the state. Butler will give the command to fire the engines for the “Wisconsin All-Star 50 with Matt Kenseth” race shortly after 3:15 p.m. CST this Sunday afternoon.
This also allows Kenseth, an absolute Green Bay Packers fanatic, the chance to meet more Packers players, as the Cambridge, Wis. native has attended Packers games at Lambeau Field and at away stadiums when his busy NASCAR schedule allows. Packers head coach Mike McCarthy was a guest of Kenseth at this year’s Daytona 500.
Tickets are reasonably priced between $14 and $30 for Sunday’s action, which includes an 8:45 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. practice session followed by single car qualifications at 10:10 a.m. The Wisconsin All-Star 50 will mark Kenseth’s first time back to America’s Legendary Oval in six years, and will race against some of the same premier drivers he competed against while progressing on to NASCAR stardom, as well as some hungry young talents looking to follow Kenseth’s successful path from Wisconsin to stock car fame.
The “Wisconsin All-Star 50 with Matt Kenseth” is set to follow the 12:00 p.m. Governor’s Cup 200 ARCA RE/MAX Series thriller, with Butler giving the command shortly after 3:00 p.m. on what is a four-division stock car weekend at The Mile. Saturday’s action includes two races and ARCA RE/MAX Series practice and qualifying. The Governor’s Cup 40 Mid-American Stock Car Series race at 2:30 p.m. followed by the Jani-King 150 ASA Late Model Series Challenge Division event at 3:30 p.m. complete the Saturday afternoon card.
For weekend ticket information, visit www.milwaukeemile.com or call The Milwaukee Mile ticket office at (414) 453-8277.
