Creed to perform before NASCAR race

From a Charlotte Motor Speedway press release that just popped into my inbox:

CONCORD, N.C. - Grammy Award-winning rock group Creed will perform a pre-race concert presented by Native Trading Associates for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, May 22, at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The 75-minute concert begins at 3:15 p.m. in the infield between Turns 1 and 2. Admission to the concert is free with the purchase of a ticket to the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race and tickets start at just $39.

Creed has sold nearly 35 million albums, delivered numerous chart-topping records and was the first act to have seven consecutive number one rock radio singles.

"I love North Carolina and performing at Charlotte Motor Speedway during a NACAR event is really exciting, especially for an amazing crowd of passionate racing fans," said Scott Stapp, lead singer of Creed. "Watching the incredible speed is an awesome experience that makes this sport so spectacular to me."

The Florida-based group formed after lead singer Scott Stapp and guitarist Mark Tremonti, high school classmates and friends at Florida State University, decided to form a band, and then recruited Brian Marshall and Scott Phillips to complete the act.

In 1997 Creed released their debut album, My Own Prison, followed by their sophomore record, Human Clay, in 1999. In 2001, the band released their third album, Weathered, which sold more copies in the first week than any other rock release in 2001 and tied the Beatles Anthology for the most consecutive weeks (eight) at No. 1 on the Billboard's Top 200 chart.

In 2001, the band won a Grammy for best rock song for "With Arms Wide Open," and was voted Favorite Group in 2003 on the People's Choice Awards. Creed has also won numerous American Music Awards and Billboard Music Awards throughout their illustrious career.

In October 2009, Wind-up Records released Full Circle, the band's first album of new material since 2001. Full Circle represents the band's long journey from past to present, with the first single, "Overcome,"

spotlighting Creed's remarkable transformation and comeback onto the rock scene.

Creed's performance at the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race will be made possible thanks to presenting sponsor, Native Trading Associates, who will work in conjunction with Charlotte Motor Speedway officials to present race fans with this spectacular pre-race rock concert.

"Native Trading Associates is thrilled to team up with Charlotte Motor Speedway to bring Creed to the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race Weekend,"

said Susan Jesmer, owner of Native Trading Associates. "With three multi-platinum albums and a Grammy Award, Creed has made a much-anticipated reunion to the delight of their fans. It is our honor to bring the diehard fans of NASCAR a band of such caliber on the American rock scene. We look forward to an extra special, rockin' race weekend."

Charlotte Motor Speedway is the home of NASCAR's biggest back-to-back race weekends with the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on May 22, and the Coca-Cola 600 on May 30. Tickets and interest free payment plans are available by calling the speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS or online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com. Connect with Charlotte Motor Speedway by following on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CLTMotorSpdwy or become a Facebook fan at www.facebook.com/charlottemotorspeedway.