Salem, IN (April 26, 2005) - Championship Racing Association and the Appleton Promotions Group announced today the addition of the 7^th Annual Rod Baker Ford George Appleton Memorial 125 at Grundy County Speedway to the 2005 CRA Super Series schedule. The event, which will pay $5000 to the winner, will be a non-points CRA Super Series sanctioned event on Sunday, June 12^th. The Appleton Promotions Group consists of owner operator Fred Appleton of Appleton Rack and Pinion, John Brolick, and Madison International Speedway Promoter Steve Einhaus.

"It’s going to be fun to go home and see all of the drivers and fans at Grundy County Speedway," said Steve Einhaus. "Frank Welch gave me my first opportunity down at Grundy and I look forward to seeing him again this year. This race is special to all of us and the guys asked if I would help them out in 2005, to which I was happy to do so. John Brolick and I click like magic when it comes to putting things together so I am excited to help out. We talked about our options and with everyone being so busy we decided to bring in the CRA Super Series, one of the most respected and followed racing series in the country. The fans will be amazed when they see the caliber of drivers that are going to be competing this prestigious event."

"The CRA Super Series is proud to sanction this awesome event that will attract the best late model drivers through out the Mid-west," remarked Glenn Luckett, Director of the CRA Super Series. "We have been talking to the Appleton Promotions Group about putting this event on our schedule for some time. It’s great that we have worked things out so that this event will be a part of our 2005 schedule. Our goal is to make this an annual CRA Super Series event!"

George Appleton was a long time innovator in the field of late model stock car chassis and components. Appleton, who passed away in 1998, was the founder of Appleton Rack and Pinions, Inc. in Minooka, a sponsor with the CRA Super Series this season. Appleton built numerous stock cars during his lifetime, but set the Midwestern stock car racing scene on its ear when he debuted his state-of-the-art "Junkyard Dog Camaro" with Larry Schuler handling the driving chores in 1976. Featuring coil over shocks and rack and pinion steering among other new racing ideas, the Appleton creation carried Schuler to three track championships in three states with the young champion winning a season-high 43 main events during the year.

A special twist will be thrown into the mix for the 7^th running of the Rod Baker Ford George Appleton Memorial 125.

"We have increased the laps this year to 125," said Einhaus. "Last years 100 lap event was such a nail biting finish, what better way to make things more interesting then to go for 125. We sell each individual lap of the race to sponsors and we throw that money right into the purse. This is going to be one heck of a payday for these guys. We have also created the Stash Kullman Chicagoland Showdown Bonus for the top 3 in combined points between the Appleton Memorial and the CRA Super Series Elmer Musgrave Memorial at Illiana Motor Speedway on Saturday, June 25. The Stash Kullman Chicagoland Showdown Bonus will allow the top 3 guys in combined points between to the events to split $5000, $2,500 for first, $1,500 for second, and $1000 for third!"

Stash Kuhlman, who passed away on March 25, 2003, and his "Polish Pink" numbered 4U stock cars were familiar sights at the old Raceway Park near Blue Island, for more than 20 years. In addition to being a regular in the stock car action at the Illinois speed plant, Kullman was on-again, off-again competitor at Illiana Motor Speedway in Schererville. After being a casual grandstand observer, Kullman began his own racing career in 1952 at the Blue Island oval. Wheeling a rather tired and rusty old Ford, Kullman was among a hundred or so drivers that showed up each season at Raceway, looking for a little racing glory and attempting to make a few bucks in the process.

Kullman’s unique trademark number "4U" was the result of Kullman winning a stock car during a dice game in the 50’s. His favorite "Polish Pink" color on his racecars was actually Ford Motor Company’s Burgundy Mist. After his driving career was over, Kullman founded SRC Enterprises in Burnham, Ill., selling oval track racing equipment to area racers. Kullman, along with his sons, Wayne and Stash Jr. or "Stashie", became experts in racecar chassis and body fabrication. Throughout the years, Kullman’s parts trailer was a regular site at Illiana Motor Speedway and at the Grundy County Speedway in Morris, Ill. during the summer months.

Lisa Thomas Salon has signed on as the Qualifying Award Sponsor. Lisa Thomas Salon will pay a $400 bonus to the fast qualifier, $250 to second fastest, $175 to third fastest, $100 to fourth fastest and $75 to fifth fastest.

Pit gates will open on June 12^th at 10AM, late model practice will go from 12Noon until 1:30PM. Qualifying will be at 2:30PM, the race program including the 7^th Annual Rod Baker Ford George Appleton Memorial 125 will begin at 4PM.

Grundy County Speedway is a 1/3-mile racetrack and has been rounded by some of America’s greatest stock car drivers. Located on Rt. 47, 1 mile north of Rt. 80 in Morris, IL. For more information on Grundy County Speedway go to www.grundycountyspeedway.com.

For additional information on the 7^th Annual Rod Baker Ford George Appleton Memorial 125 contact John Brolic at 312-907-5957 or contact Steve Einhaus at 630-212-6022.