CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- As drivers from 23 states and as far away as Canada prepare for the green flag to fly during tomorrow night’s Legends Big Money 100 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, track officials named NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Marcos Ambrose as grand marshal for the biggest grassroots racing event of the year.

As grand marshal, Ambrose, who works with up-and-coming drivers through his Marcos Ambrose Motorsports driver development program, will take part in pre-race ceremonies before drivers take to the track in search of their share of the $100,000 total purse.

Charity Case Concert, Autograph Session, Fireworks Highlight Off-Track Entertainment

In addition to the most competitive racing of the season, fans can enjoy a bevy of entertainment even before the green flag waves.

Fans can come early and enjoy a pre-race concert on Tuesday with popular morning radio personalities Ace and TJ and their band Charity Case. Drivers competing in the Legends Big Money 100 will also participate in an autograph session on the frontstretch during the concert.

At the conclusion of the Legends Big Money 100 on Tuesday, Charlotte Motor Speedway will host the area’s first Fourth of July fireworks celebration, presented by Cabarrus County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Action-Packed Schedule Offers Something for Everyone

Drivers will take to the track today for the first of two consecutive days of exciting racing. Qualifying begins at 3:30 p.m. Opening ceremonies are scheduled for 6:30 p.m., followed by heat races at 7:15 p.m.

Here is Tuesday’s lineup, including a full day of exciting Legends Big Money 100 action. All times are approximate.

9:30 a.m.: Spectator Gates Open
Hot Laps
11 a.m.: Bandolero Bandit B-Feature (15 laps)
Bandolero Outlaw B-Feature (15 laps)
11:30 a.m.: Legend C, D, E - Features as needed (15 laps)
Legends Young Lion/Semi Pro B-Features (25 laps)
Legends Masters B-Features (25 laps)
Legends Big Money B-Features (25 laps)
2:30 p.m.: God Bless America/Invocation
2:45 p.m.: Bandolero Bandits A-Feature (25 laps)
Bandolero Outlaws A-Feature (25 laps)
3:45 p.m.: Legends Young Lion/Semi Pro A-Feature (50 laps)
4:45 p.m.: Legends Masters A-Feature (50 laps)
6 p.m.: Charity Case concert
Autograph Session
7:30 p.m.: Opening Ceremonies/Driver Intros/ Start Your Engines
7:45 p.m.: Legends Big Money 100 A-Feature (100 laps)
4th of July Fireworks Celebration

Track Sets Up Cooling Stations to Help Fans Beat Summer Heat

With the temperatures forecast to be as hot as the action on the track, Charlotte Motor Speedway has taken a few additional steps to ensure that drivers and fans stay cool during the two-day race event.

To help combat the near 100-degree heat, officials have set up three misting stations on the concourse for late afternoon/evening today and tomorrow evening. A fourth misting station has been set up in the infield near a fan grandstand. Additionally, fans will be placed in the kids’ playzone on the concourse and in the infield tech bay for competitors. EMS staff will also be instructed to be on particular lookout for heat-related illness, and there will be a special fire truck hose down once each night for the kids.

Fox Sports South to Air Big Money 100

Fans can relive all the bumping and banging from Tuesday night’s Legends Big Money 100 as Fox Sports South airs coverage of the 100-lap showdown throughout the week next week. The regional sports network will air a one-hour race special on Monday, July 9 at 6 p.m.; Tuesday, July 10 at 8 a.m. and 10 p.m.; Thursday, July 12 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, July 14 at 11 a.m.

Tickets for the event are $10 per day for adults and children 13 and under get in free. Contact the Charlotte Motor Speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com. Competitor registration for the Legends Big Money 100 event is still open online at http://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/tickets/legends_big_money_100

For live updates during the Legends Big Money 100, follow hashtag #BigMoney100 on Twitter. To join in on the conversation simply include #BigMoney100 in your tweet.

Connect with Charlotte Motor Speedway on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CLTMotorSpdwy or become a Facebook fan at www.facebook.com/charlottemotorspeedway.