One of the biggest summertime traditions in the Charlotte area, the 19^th annual Jack in the Box Summer Shootout Series, returns to Charlotte Motor Speedway June 12 through Aug. 21. The 10-night, family-friendly racing series features the best Legend Car and Bandolero competition in the country.

In addition to Legend Cars and Bandoleros, fans can enjoy weekly exhibition races including the principal school bus race, lawn mower racing and stadium stock racing. Tickets to the Jack in the Box Summer Shootout Series are just $7 for adults and kids 13 and under get in free.

This year, some of the old-school fan favorites of Summer Shootout are returning, including Victory Lane on the frontstretch and barrels in the infield. Plus, there will be even more fan interaction this year on the world’s largest HDTV, centered on the backstretch of the speedway. Every night, kids can have fun in the POWERADE Play Zone, featuring bounce houses, interactive games, face painting and more.

In addition, series sponsor Jack in the Box will provide giveaways each week to the first 1,000 fans to enter the gates. Giveaways include sports bags, lanyards, Frisbees and more.

This summer, more than 100 Legend Car and Bandolero competitors will travel across the country to battle on Charlotte Motor Speedway’s frontstretch quarter-mile oval for the prestigious Summer Shootout Series championship.

Legend Car racing is divided into four categories based on a driver’s experience. The Pro division features veteran drivers, while the Semi-Pro category is for those with limited Legend Car experience. The Young Lions division is for those new to Legend Car racing and the Masters division is for drivers 40 years of age and older.

Bandolero cars are divided into three divisions with competitors grouped by age. The Bandits division is for racers 8 to 11 and the Outlaws category features drivers 12 and older. The Beginner Bandits is for racers in their first year of competition.

The week of the Fourth of July, the Summer Shootout Series will take a break from competition, but there will still be plenty of action at the track as the biggest grassroots racing event of the year, the third annual Legends Big Money 100, returns to Charlotte Motor Speedway July 2-3.

Tickets for the Summer Shootout Series are available in advance at the speedway ticket office and at Gates 4 and 5 the night of the event. Parking is free. Spectator gates open at 5 p.m. with preliminary action starting at 5:10 p.m. Opening ceremonies are at 6:45 p.m. and feature races are scheduled to conclude by approximately 10 p.m.

For tickets to the Summer Shootout Series, call the Charlotte Motor Speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.

For live updates during the Summer Shootout Series, follow hashtag #SummerShootout on Twitter. To join in on the conversation simply include #SummerShootout in your tweet.

Connect with Charlotte Motor Speedway by following on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CLTMotorSpdwy or by becoming a Facebook fan at www.facebook.com/charlottemotorspeedway.

2012 Summer Shootout Schedule