Advance Auto Parts began their relationship with Monster Jam in 2004 as a national series sponsor. In 2006, Advance Auto Parts and Monster Jam constructed the first-ever interactive Grave Digger Experience, which travels the country courtesy of Advance Auto Parts. To help bring that project to life, the Grave Digger race team assembled, from the ground up, the newest addition to the Grave Digger monster truck fleet (Grave Digger XXI) for Advance Auto Parts’ traveling interactive unit.

Advance Auto Parts’ Grave Digger Experience will be a available to entertain U.S.S. Enterprise family members at the homecoming, and in an effort to further support our troops, Monster Jam is sending Grave Digger originator and current Monster Jam World Racing Champion Dennis Anderson to the event to sign autographs and take place in a meet and greet with the crew and families of the USS Enterprise.

Anderson grew up in nearby Chesapeake, Va., so this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity means a lot to the Anderson family.

“This is a great opportunity for me and an honor at the same time,” said Anderson. “I have a lot of friends and family in that area that are fans of Grave Digger, and they have sent me military flags that are on display inside the Diggers Dungeon(TM). These guys are serving and protecting us, and I can’t express my appreciation enough.”

Monster Jam is honored by Advance Auto Parts’ invitation to the homecoming and will participate in the day’s events at Naval Station in Norfolk, Va. Plenty of Monster Jam and Grave Digger giveaways will be on hand, courtesy of Advance Auto Parts, Monster Jam, and Grave Digger.

“Advance Auto Parts is a proud supporter of our country’s troops and we are honored to help welcome the U.S.S. Enterprise home in Norfolk alongside our Sailors and Marines’ families and friends,” said George Paugh, Advance Auto Parts’ regional vice president.

About Advance Auto Parts

Advance Auto Parts supports a variety of non-profit organizations at the corporate and local levels and encourages its Team Members to become actively involved in various community-based charitable organizations. Nationally, Advance Auto Parts is a strong supporter of United Way and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Since 1994, Advance Auto Parts has raised more than $11 million for JDRF and is one of that organization’s largest corporate supporters.

Headquartered in Roanoke, Va., Advance Auto Parts is the second-largest retailer of automotive parts, accessories batteries and maintenance items in the United States based on sales and store count. As of Oct. 7, 2006, the Company operated 3,029 stores in 40 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The company serves both the do-it-yourself and professional installer markets.

Additional information about the Company, employment opportunities, customer services, and on-line shopping for parts and accessories can be found on the Company’s web site at www.AdvanceAutoParts.com.

About Monster Jam(R)

Monster Jam(R) owned by Live Nation, is the world’s leading monster truck tour. With more than 250 live performances a year at the world’s premier stadiums and arenas domestically and internationally, Monster Jam features world-renowned marquee monster trucks, including Grave Digger(R), Maximum Destruction(R), Blue Thunder(R), El Toro Loco(R) and Monster Mutt(R) while attracting over four million fans a year. Monster Jam is sanctioned by the USHRA(R). For more information on Monster Jam, log on to www.MonsterJamOnLine.com. Live Nation is the world’s leading live entertainment company, annually connecting more than 67 million fans with their favorite performers at over 33,000 events. We are the largest producer of live concerts in the world, the second-largest venue management company and have a rapidly growing online presence. Live Nation creates superior experiences for artists and fans, regularly producing tours for the biggest superstars in the business, including The Rolling Stones, Madonna, U2 and Coldplay. Globally, we own, operate and/or have booking rights for more than 170 venues, including House of Blues-branded music venues and prestigious locations such as San Francisco’s Fillmore Auditorium, Nikon at Jones Beach in New York and London’s Apollo Theatre and Wembley Arena. Live Nation’s websites collectively are the second most popular entertainment event websites in the United States, according to Nielsen//NetRatings. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Live Nation is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, trading under the symbol “LYV.” For more information regarding concerts near you, Live Nation and its businesses, please visit our website at www.livenation.com.

SOURCE: Live Nation