January 08, 2009

By By Ken Tucker, Nashville

Three-time NASCAR champion Darrell Waltrip, country star Dierks Bentley and country legends Connie Smith and Charlie Louvin have joined the roster of racing and country music celebrities that will appear at Sprint Sound & Speed Presented by SunTrust Fan Festival. The event will be held Jan. 9-10 at downtown Nashville's Municipal Auditorium.

The two-day celebration of music and motorsports kicks off with a concert Jan. 9 at Sommet Center with headliner Montgomery Gentry, Rodney Atkins and Julianne Hough. At the Jan. 10 Fan Festival, fans will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with drivers, team owners and top-name artists. The event will also feature show car and sponsor displays, as well as a charitable auction with memorabilia from the racing and entertainment industries.

Among the NASCAR celebrities already announced for the Fan Festival are Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Kyle Petty, Michael Waltrip, Ray Evernham, Reed Sorensen and Ernie Irvan.

Country music artists include Jason Michael Carroll, Richie McDonald, Josh Turner, members of Diamond Rio and Rick Huckaby. Niki Taylor, Randy Houser and Danielle Peck will also be on hand.

Tickets for the concert and the Sprint Sound & Speed Festival Presented by SunTrust are available through TicketMaster and through the Web site soundandspeed.org.

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