Salem, Ohio (Aug. 6, 2008) – With escalating costs and higher ticket prices leaving many racing venues with empty stands across the country this season, Thunder Jam series director Jim Marchyshyn knew a different approach was needed for the racing series he heads. He looked at how to keep the same strong Thunder Jam show fans have come to love over the years while, at the same time, selling them a ticket they could afford.

He looked to third-party promotion, the concept of bringing in outside businesses to help ease the financial burden on the ticket-buying public.

When Quaker City Raceway in Salem hosts the O’Reilly Auto Parts Thunder Jam presented by 1-800-SAFE AUTO, all the favorites Thunder Jam fans are used to will be on hand to thrill the crowd. Les Shockley’s 20,000 Super Shockwave Jet Truck will light up the evening sky with a 40-foot ball of fire, the world’s only wheel-standing school bus, Ken Nelson’s Cool Bus, will carry the front tires the length of the racing surface at Quaker City, jet trains Chattanooga Choo Choo and The Cannonball Express will square off and the world’s only jet quad will make its Thunder Jam debut.

O’Reilly Auto Parts and 1-800-SAFE AUTO have been national sponsors on the Thunder Jam circuit all season. For the Quaker City event Marchyshyn reached out to local media outlets with strong ties to the area. Radio stations WNCD, WKBN, MIX 989, KISS 959, WNIO and WBBG have all signed on to support the event by offering discount coupons through their websites.

“The local radio stations really stepped up to help make this event even more affordable for area race fans,” Marchyshyn said.

You will be able to secure discount coupons by visiting the following websites: www.wncd.com, www.570wkbn.com, www.mix989.com, www.959kiss.com, www.wnio.com and www.wbbgfm.com.

You can also save at the box office. Kids age 6-12 will be admitted for only $5.00. Each Thunder Jam ticket includes free parking and an all-access pit pass. Also, Quaker City Raceway will also be hosting a Summit Racing Equipment Pro-Am Tour event Saturday, Aug. 16. The Summit Pro-Am Tour is where the top sportsman drivers in the world compete for divisional and national points as they chase world championships. Seven sportsman classes will be featured at Quaker City and your Thunder Jam ticket will also get you in to the Pro-Am event as well.

“This is a dream weekend for hard-core drag racing fans, but it’s also a great opportunity for someone not familiar with the sport to come out and see what it’s all about,” Marchyshyn said. “You will see all kinds of cool cars at the Pro-Am, old Camaros, vintage Mustangs, Barracudas, etc. And this is not a car show where they just sit there. They will be ripping down the drag strip. You’ll see these cars in action.”

Marchyshyn thinks the value of the Thunder Jam event is unmatched.

“We know how hard the people in the Youngstown and Mahoning County work for their money, we wanted to give them a long night jam-packed with entertainment while not putting a strain on their wallet,” Marchyshyn said. “This is going to be our biggest Thunder Jam to date, with the most outrageous exhibition cars on the planet. I can’t wait to get the party started.”