Michael Shank Racing Taking Part in Rivalry Nights this Weekend as OSU and USC Square off in Columbus

(Columbus, OH) 9 September 2009— There is nothing like Ohio State football fever in Michael Shank Racing’s hometown of Columbus, and the Rolex Sports Car Series will be in the thick of the pre-game build-up as Rivalry Nights has tapped the team to represent the Rolex Sports Car Series as part of the big Friday-night pep rally.

With everything from drift machinery to a Hank Williams Jr. concert, Rivalry Nights is billed as the world's largest pre-game party & pep rally ever put together. The event, which will be held at the Ohio Expo Center on Friday evening, will combine Music, Football, Basketball, Mixed Martial Arts, Wrestling, Drifting, Freestyle Motocross, Stunt Biking & a Hot Import Nights Car Show Competition.

The team will be setting up on site as part of the varied activities and displays that the event will encompass. The custom-liveried Michael Shank Racing transporter will be on display as well as the team’s Ford-powered Riley Daytona Prototype.

Michael Shank Racing is currently fifth in the Rolex Sports Car Series championship standings and was recently invited to participate in a test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“It’s impossible not to get caught up in all the excitement about Buckeye football here in town,” said team owner Mike Shank. “So for us to be a part of this event is something we are looking forward to. Hopefully we’ll be able to introduce some new people to the Rolex Sports Car Series while also having a really good time”.