BRIAN MCKNIGHT AND SONS TO SING NATIONAL ANTHEM AT PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY

PHOENIX — Phoenix International Raceway is excited to announce that world-renowned recording artist Brian McKnight will sing the national anthem prior to the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500 ™, Sunday, March 4. McKnight and his sons, Brian Jr. and Niko, will launch Phoenix’s 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup season with the same soulful sounds that have been a McKnight trademark for two decades.

"We are really excited to welcome Brian McKnight to PIR to perform our national anthem,” said Phoenix International Raceway President, Bryan R. Sperber. “As a family sport, it’s especially cool that he will be singing with his very talented two sons.”

McKnight and his sons are avid NASCAR fans.

“In our house, we are either talking about sports or music, and there is nothing like the excitement of NASCAR,” said McKnight. “My sons and I are thrilled to be performing at Phoenix International Raceway on Sunday. We hope everyone enjoys our rendition of the National Anthem.”

McKnight’s versatility as a singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist has enabled him to collaborate with musicians across every genre, including Willie Nelson, Quincy Jones, Justin Timberlake, Mariah Carey, Diddy, Christina Aguilera, Rascal Flats, Nelly, Vanessa Williams and Kenny G.

The SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500™ will be the feature attraction during an action-packed weekend of racing at Phoenix International Raceway. Fans can also see NASCAR’s stars of tomorrow on Saturday, March 3 during the Bashas’ Supermarkets 200 NASCAR Nationwide Series race and the Talking Stick Resort 50 K&N Pro Series West race, beginning at 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., respectively.

About Phoenix International Raceway

Since 1964, Phoenix International Raceway has served race fans as the premier motorsports venue in the Southwest. Watch the brightest stars in NASCAR take on PIR’s one-mile oval on March 4, 2012 in the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500™. Tickets for the entire SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500™ NASCAR weekend at Phoenix International Raceway can be purchased online at PhoenixRaceway.com/Tickets or by calling 1-866-408-RACE (7223). For more information, visit PhoenixRaceway.com, Facebook.com/PhoenixRaceway and Twitter.com/PhoenixRaceway.