The 2009 O’Reilly Auto Parts “Thunder Jam” series will bring the explosive stand-alone drag racing exhibition and thrill show to drag strips across the country. In 2009, it will have a distinct Southwest flavor as well.

Three new venues, two in Texas and one in Oklahoma, have been added to the Thunder Jam slate as fans in Amarillo, Midland-Odessa and Oklahoma City will experience the wildest night of entertainment on wheels.

“We were looking for top-notch facilities in thriving O’Reilly Auto Parts markets with the goal of expanding into the Sun Belt,” Thunder Jam operations director Jim Marchyshyn said. “We found three wonderful tracks in Texas and Oklahoma to add to the already most incredible Thunder Jam schedule in series history. The fans down there have no idea what they’re in for!”

The 2009 O’Reilly Auto Parts Thunder Jam schedule kicks off March 21 at Edinburg International Race Track in Edinburg, Texas. Edinburg has historically been a popular Thunder Jam market.

“We love going to Edinburg because the track ownership and fans are great. The local O’Reilly Auto Parts outlets are very helpful,” Marchyshyn said. “We run a ‘buy an adult ticket, get a free kid’s ticket’ special at every “Thunder Jam”  at all our local O’Reilly Auto Parts retailers in order to provide a great family market in this challenging economy.”

The O’Reilly Thunder Jam presented by the U.S. Air Force and Safe Auto continues its Southwest tour with the three new markets…Amarillo Dragway, April 18, Desert Thunder Raceway, Midland-Odessa, April 25 and Thunder Valley Raceway in Oklahoma City, May 2.

“We’re incredibly excited to have these three new venues join the 2009 O’Reilly Auto Parts “Thunder Jam” schedule,” Marchyshyn said. “With aggressive track operators in these new markets we look forward to putting on an incredible show for fans who have never experienced the “Thunder Jam”.

From Thunder Valley.  the O’Reilly “Thunder Jam” heads to Motor Mile Dragway, south of Roanoke, Virginia May 9, followed by a return to Baton Rouge for a May 16 event at State Capitol Raceway.

“Motor Mile Dragway is a state of the art venue; one of the most amazing motor sports facilities east of the Mississippi,” Marchyshyn said. “And the fans in Baton Rouge are some of the most excitable fans in the world.”

Kanawha Valley Motorsports Park in West Virginia will be the site of the June 20 event before the series moves to Binghamton, N.Y. for a July 18 date at Skyview Drags. Farmington Dragway, Winston-Salem, NC will be up next Aug. 8, followed by a pair of events at Ohio Valley Dragway, outside Louisville, KY and Tulsa Raceway Park. August 22nd.

Carolina Dragway, Jackson, SC has an earlier Thunder Jam date, Saturday, August 29th, to accommodate the popularity of Southeast Conference college football.

“We chose to make the Carolina Dragway date earlier because we didn’t want fans to have to make a choice between the “Thunder Jam” or watching their favorite college teams play football,” Marchyshyn said.

The 2009 O’Reilly Thunder Jam season concludes Oct. 3 at Immokalee Regional Raceway in southwest Florida.

“Immokalee Regional Raceway is a perfect place to close out the season,” Marchyshyn added. “Ralph Hester, the track owner and promoter extraordinaire really knows how to throw a party. The entire schedule is extremely strong. Working closely with O’Reilly Auto Parts, we chose key markets to take advantage of their promotional expertise and the ‘buy an adult ticket, get a free kid’s ticket’ that has been a major part of this series’ immense growth over the last couple of years."

“Affordable family entertainment is important; with O’Reilly’s help we are able to provide quality, family entertainment at a fair price.”

2009 O’Reilly Thunder Jam schedule

March 21 - Edinburg International Racetrack, Edinburg, Tex.; April 18 - Amarillo Dragway, Amarillo, Tex.; April 25 - Desert Thunder Raceway, Midland-Odessa, Tex.; May 2 - Thunder Valley Raceway, Oklahoma City, Ok.; May 9 - Motor Mile Dragway, Roanoke, Virg.; May 16 - State Capitol Raceway, Baton Rouge, La.; June 20 - Kanawha Valley Motorsports Park, Charleston, WV; July 18 - Skyview Drags, Binghamton, NY; Aug. 8 - Farmington Dragway, Winston Salem, NC; Aug. 22 - Ohio Valley Dragway, Louisville, Ky.; Aug. 22 - Tulsa Raceway Park, Tulsa, Ok.; Aug. 29 - Carolina Dragway, Augusta, Georg.; Oct. 3 - Immokalee Regional Raceway, Immokalee, Fla.