Elliott Cancels Riverside Appearance
Posted July 9/07 at 9:45 a.m.; Source: Riverside International Speedway

Official News Release - From Riverside International Speedway

JAMES RIVER, NS (July 9, 2007) - Riverside International Speedway regrets to announce the cancellation of Bill Elliott's appearance at this year's heavily anticipated IWK 250 Pro All Stars Series (PASS) race, scheduled for Saturday, July 21 in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.

Riverside Speedway received in writing the cancellation notice from Mr. Elliott late Friday. In his statement he said, "There is no way I am going to Nova Scotia to race that weekend…I am too busy."

Mr. Elliott's last-minute cancellation notice comes after Riverside Speedway management secured the NASCAR Cup champion's appearance on April 27, 2007 with an extra-cost no-cancellation guarantee. We paid an expensive premium to guarantee his participation in the race," says Paul McLean, Riverside Speedway manager. "With the agreement in place, and with active cooperation from his management company, we felt comfortable promoting Mr. Elliott's appearance in print, TV and radio advertisements."

Riverside Speedway has been heavily advertising Mr. Elliott's appearance since April. The race is a fundraiser for the IWK Children's Hospital. Major sponsorships from DuPont Canada and Steve Lewis Auto Body have been secured for the marquee event. A large number of advance tickets have been sold to date.

"Bill has always emphasized his enthusiasm for getting back to his roots by racing at local tracks to support the fans who've made him so popular," says John Chisholm, owner of Riverside Speedway. "I'm bewildered and saddened by Bill's change in commitment to his fans, some of whom are traveling great distances to see him here. We've been working hard to create an amazing event to benefit the IWK and he's let us all down."

The IWK 250 will proceed July 21 despite Mr. Elliott's decision to not participate.

"We're working feverishly to find a suitable replacement," says McLean, "however at press time we are unable to confirm please check our website for further details in the coming days."

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For More On This Story...

• Click here for the complete July 9/07 Release from Riverside International Speedway announcing the cancellation - you will be redirected to the track website.
  
  
• Click here to see the story in Tuesday's "The Daily News" - you will be redirected to The Daily News online.
  
  
• Click here to see the story in Tuesday's "Chronicle Herald" - you will be redirected to the ChronicleHerald.ca
  
  
• Click here to read Chris Cochrane's column in Wednesday's "Chronicle Herald" - you will be redirected to the ChronicleHerald.ca