If you are a supporter of Michigan International Speedway and the American Red Cross and you have not had the opportunity take part in the Spirit of America Blood Drive over the last six years, now is your chance.

The Great Lakes Region of the American Red Cross and MIS have announced that a few select appointment times remain, and are open to the public. This year’s drive is scheduled for September 11, 2008 in the speedway’s entertainment building.

Expectations are high for this year’s annual drive with a lofty goal of collecting 1,000 units. At this time, only a couple hundred appointment times are still available. Donors can reserve their spot by calling 1-800-YOU-GAVE or by signing up at www.SpiritofAmericaBloodDrive.com. The Red Cross is expecting to fill all 1,350 scheduled time slots rather quickly.

“If you have not participated in the Spirit of America Blood Drive and have always wanted to, this is the time to sign up,” MIS Director of Guest Services and Spirit of America founder Tim Booth said. “Appointments always fill up so I encourage people to sign up early for the opportunity to give the gift of life and be treated to a special patriot day experience.”

Last year’s Spirit of America Blood Drive was the biggest and best yet with 962 units collected over a 12-hour period. Since 2002, the drive has become one of the largest of its kind on 9-11 with over 3,700 units donated. This amount of donations has the potential of saving over 11,000 lives since each whole blood unit can be manufactured into three products and transfused to multiple patients.

“Last year’s Spirit of America blood drive was our most successful yet,” Sharon Jaksa, CEO of the American Red Cross Great Lakes Region Blood Services said. “We are continuing to raise the bar each year and I’m confident we can achieve our goal of 1,000 units in 2008. The tremendous support we receive from Michigan International Speedway, volunteers, blood donors and the community, help us collect hundreds of units of blood that will save thousands of lives.”

The Great Lakes Region of the American Red Cross collects blood from volunteer donors in 65 Michigan counties and helps provide blood products to patients in about 120 hospitals statewide. The American Red Cross encourage all eligible donors to donate regularly to help prevent blood shortages. In the past 12 months, the American Red Cross has experienced blood shortages. Supplies of critical blood types have been as low as six hours but rarely higher than two days. The Red Cross considers a three-day supply of all blood types to be safe and adequate for meeting emergency and ongoing medical needs.

Sponsors of the seventh annual Spirit of America Blood Drive include: AAA, Addison Graphic Solutions, Advance America, Americrown, Brooklyn-Irish Hills Chamber of Commerce, Chevy Trucks, C&L Sanitation, Coke, Culver’s, DDM Marketing & Communications, Defined Wellness Center, FOX 47, Hendrick Marrow Program, Jimmie Johnson Foundation, NASCAR Foundation, National Marrow Donor Program, Richard Petty Driving Experience, Sprint, Vitamin Water, Walton Agency and WinCraft Racing.

For its 40th anniversary in 2008, MIS is hosting the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series LifeLock 400 on June 15 and the 3M Performance 400 on August 17. Other events include the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Cool City Customs 200 on June 14, the NASCAR Nationwide Series CARFAX 250 August 16 and the ARCA RE/MAX Series Michigan 200 June 13. Tickets are available for all events, including qualifying days.

To order tickets, pit passes, camping or hospitality packages, call the MIS Ticket Hotline at 800-354-1010 or visit MISpeedway.com.