In an ongoing effort to help out those attending races at Lowe's Motor Speedway (LMS), Marcus Smith - president and general manager of the speedway - announced today a race package that goes above and beyond to help cut the costs of attending a NASCAR race. Together with Circle K, Coca-Cola and the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, LMS has put together a package that will save fans 30% on the cost of tickets, 10%-25% on the cost of concessions, about $28 on the price of souvenirs and an astonishing 15% on the price of hotels.

"We have a fan first initiative," Smith explained following Tuesday's announcement. "This is part of that effort."

Together with Circle K, LMS will offer a family four-pack that includes four tickets in the Turn Two Diamond Tower, four 20-ounce Coca-Cola's and four hot dogs. Those fans taking advantage of this package will also receive a voucher for a free twelve-pack of Coca-Cola. The Circle K Family 4-Pack is available for only $159, about $39.95 per ticket, saving race fans 30%.

Officials with LMS explained that around 8,000 to 10,000 seats in the Diamond Tower have been reserved for the Circle-K Family 4-Pack. This deal is in addition to, but separate from the already in place All-You-Can-Eat Section located between Turns One and Two.

"We want there always to be an affordable option for every race fan," Smith explained. "Race fans come from all over the country and we're going to make sure there are affordable options for everybody. In addition to the Family 4-Pack, every fan at the speedway will be able to take advantage of new concession combinations - such as a drink, hot dog and chips - for a discounted price. These new combinations will offer fans a savings of 10%-25%.

Also, one of the biggest costs aside from food has always been souvenirs. With t-shirts and hats selling for almost $25 and higher per item, LMS has decided to create a souvenir package including a LMS hat and t-shirt available for just $20, that's a savings of almost $28.

"What we want to do is deliver more value to our fans. We've got fantastic racing, the best speedway in the world. If you're a race fan and you want to go to even just one race, or if you're someone just out there on the fence considering where you're going to go to watch a race and you're in that 400-mile radius most of our fans drive from, coming to Charlotte is the best choice for you."

With LMS located in the heart of Race Country USA, hardcore race fans visiting the area for this October's Bank of America 500 will also be able to benefit from one of the most impressive deals in all of motorsports. One of the biggest costs associated with attending a NASCAR race in recent years has been staying in a hotel. Rates for rooms surrounding tracks typically sky-rocket on race weekend and usually require a minimum of three or four nights. This can be one of the biggest deterrents for race fans, and has forced this writer to stay in his car a time or two.

Yet, in an unprecedented move, LMS has joined with the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA) and thirty-five hotels in the area to help give the fans a break. Thirty-five hotels within a thirty-mile radius of the speedway have agreed to cut their race week room rates by 15% and have eliminated the minimum stay requirement.

"Collaborative efforts such as this are the essence of the Charlotte region," Tim Newman, chief executive officer of the CRVA explained. "We are proud to represent the hospitality industry in this unique promotion. The hotels understand the importance of NASCAR here in Charlotte, and truly embrace it by giving fans the extra incentive to enjoy the fantastic sport that helps define this region."

"When you're a NASCAR fan you're saying something significant about yourself," Smith went on to point out. "A lot of people can be a football fan, a basketball fan or a baseball fan, but when you're a NASCAR fan you're setting yourself apart. It's a lifestyle choice that our fans chose to make and we appreciate their enthusiasm and we appreciate their dedication to racing and our speedway and the sport and we want to do as much as we can to let them know how much we appreciate them."

Only a few months into his new role at the speedway, Marcus Smith appears to be making the transition quite well. Although he has some big shoes to fill, Tuesday's announcement shows he is dedicated to bringing fans to LMS and making sure they don't leave disappointed - or more importantly in debt.

For more information on all of these new cost-cutting options and for a list of participating hotels, be sure to visit www.lowesmotorspeedway.com or call the LMS ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS.