Phoenix International Raceway, Sprint, and TriWest will partner with Arizona military bases in 2008 to honor America's loyal servicemen and servicewomen in a way only NASCAR can, with the third annual Salute to Military Families program.

Through the program, Salute to Military Families sponsors Sprint and TriWest are the leaders of a number of businesses partnering with PIR to provide SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500™ tickets to military members and their families. The program’s objective is to give the nation’s service personnel the chance to be honored and enjoy a day at the races, all in the exciting atmosphere of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

Originated in 2006 to exhibit appreciation for those serving the United States military, the Salute to Military Families program has seen overwhelming support from PIR’s partners, to the tune of several thousand tickets that have been sponsored for military families in a span of three events.

In conjunction with the 2008 Salute to Military Families program, several major events are scheduled at nearby military bases for locally enlisted men and women in advance of the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500™. PIR, Sprint, and TriWest will host a race-watching party at the Arizona Army National Guard Papago Park Installation on Sunday, April 6, and Sprint Cup Series driver and Glendale native Michael McDowell will visit Luke Air Force Base on Wednesday, April 9. Both events will be open to media, with exact times and further information on the events to be announced in the coming weeks.

In addition to the on-base events, PIR is adding a unique twist in the program’s third year. A commemorative green flag featuring the Salute to Military Families logo will be sent overseas this week to the 447th Air Expeditionary Group of the United States Air Force in Baghdad, where it will fly on base for a day before being sent back to Phoenix to serve as the official green flag that will wave over the field of 43 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series cars to start the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500™. Meanwhile, a similar "sister" flag will travel with PIR representatives to Arizona bases before also being delivered to the Saturday, April 12 race.

Tickets for the April 12 SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500™ and all other events throughout the NASCAR event weekend at PIR are still available by calling 1-866-408-RACE (7223) or by visiting www.racetickets.com.

The action doesn’t stop in April! The Chase for the Sprint Cup makes its return to PIR in November with the Checker Auto Parts 500 Presented by Pennzoil on Sunday, November 9.

Single tickets go on sale to the public at 8 a.m. (Arizona Standard Time) on Saturday, March 29. Tickets will be available over the phone at 1-866-408-RACE (7223) or by visiting www.racetickets.com.