by Emily Gaskin, for Hoosier Park Racing and Casino

Anderson, IN — Hoosier Park Racing & Casino will hold the third annual Hoosierdega Nights on Saturday (April 21) with the first post at 5:30 p.m.

An evening full of NASCAR-themed activities and food has quickly become one of Indiana’s signature Standardbred racing events. The tenth race will highlight the night as Celebrity Standardbred drivers compete for the title of Hoosierdega champion, followed by a spectacular fireworks display at the end of the evening. Admission is free and open to the public.

Each driver will compete for their share of $8,000 to be donated to their designated local charity. The winner of the Hoosierdega championship race will earn $2,500, second place $1,500 and third place $1,000. The remainder of the $8,000 purse will be split, in decreasing amounts, among the nine remaining finishers.

The driver and charity partnerships are as follows:

• Trace “Trace of Luck” Tetrick, D.A.R.E.
• Joe “True Blue” Putnam, Outfitters, Inc.
• Ricky “Slick Rick” Macomber, Indiana School for the Deaf
• Mike “Mo-Pete” Peterson, Shriners Hospital for Children
• Jason “Bad Boy” Dillander, American Cancer Society
• Peter “The Wolf” Wrenn, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
• Trent ”The Bachelor” Stohler, St. John’s Children’s Clinic
• Josh “Outlaw” Sutton, Animal Protection League
• Brandon “Big Ticket” Bates, Second Harvest Food Bank
• Tyler “The Kid” Smith, C.A.S.A.
• Ed “Hurricane” Hensley, Alternatives
• Brooke “The Brave” Nickells, Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence

The NASCAR racing theme will be carried throughout the facility with a Party in the Paddock, 2012 Ford Mustang giveaway, celebrity driver meet and greet, live entertainment in The Yard, expanded beverage options, ‘pit stop’ barbecue, racecar simulators, exciting promotions and interactive activities. Immediately following live racing, a fireworks display, presented by the American Fireworks Company of Hudson, Ohio, is scheduled to light up the night’s sky over the racetrack at approximately 9:45 p.m.

“The parallels between Standardbred racing and NASCAR make Hoosierdega Nights a one-of-a-kind experience for fans of the sport of racing. Each year the crowds seem to grow for one of our more popular and entertaining race days,” said Brian Elmore, Hoosier Park’s vice president and general manager of racing. “This year we have expanded the field of celebrity drivers and are bringing in a wider selection of racecar themed events and promotions to make what is sure to be an eventful and family-oriented night of racing.”

All Club Centaur members will receive a free entry into the 2012 Ford Mustang giveaway to take place at approximately 9:30 p.m. Saturday. Members can swipe their Club Centaur cards at any rewards kiosk from 10 a.m. to 8:59 p.m. on Saturday (April 21) to enter the drawing. The winner of the 2012 Ford Mustang will also be given the option of a $15,000 cash payout in place of the new car. Membership in Club Centaur is free.

Those swiping to enter the 2012 Ford Mustang giveaway can earn one extra entry for every accumulated point beginning 6 a.m. Tuesday (April 17) through drawing time Saturday, while using their Club Centaur card.