NASCAR Driver Michael Waltrip to Appear on Dover Downs Slots Cooking Show



May 12, 2005 -- "Dover Downs is Cooking," the half-hour television cooking show showcasing the chefs of Michele's, a gourmet restaurant located in Dover Downs Slots, is set for a special NASCAR taping June 4 featuring Dale Earnhardt, Inc. driver Michael Waltrip.

Waltrip, driver of the No.15 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, will appear in front of a live studio audience with Dover Downs Chef Fred Bohn. The two will share delicious barbeque and grilling recipes perfect for the serious tailgater, made possible by a partnership with Kraft Foods.

Tickets for the taping are $15. Call VIP Services today at 1-800-711-5882 to reserve your seats. Capital Club members will be entered into sweepstakes for premium seating on the set of the show.

"We couldn't be more excited to have a driver the caliber of Michael Waltrip appear on the show," said George Fiorile, general manager and vice president of hotel operations. "Michael is renowned as one of the most charismatic drivers in the series and I really think this is a great way to cross promote NASCAR and Dover Downs Slots."

Waltrip, who drives for Dale Earnhardt, Inc., is a seasoned NASCAR NEXTEL Cup veteran and former winner of the Daytona 500. He has enjoyed trips to victory lane at Dover International Speedway in the Busch Series, in 1988's Grand National 200 and the Budweiser 200 in 1990. While he has yet to capture the checkered flag in a NEXTEL Cup race at the Monster Mile, he has scored one pole and collected eight top-10 finishes. in September 2004, Waltrip finished 16th in the MBNA America 400. He is also the younger brother of racing legend Darrell Waltrip.

Following the June 4 taping, five other cooking shows are scheduled for 2005. They include: July 2, August 6, September 3, October 1 and November 19. The shows will be taped for television in front of a live studio audience on a specially constructed set in the Rollins Center at Dover Downs Slots.

Celebrities visiting Dover Downs Slots have appeared on the cooking show either cooking with the Dover Downs chefs or dining in Michele's, the gourmet steak and seafood restaurant at Dover Downs Hotel.

The pilot for the show has already appeared locally on UPN-21 in Salisbury, Md. The goal is to have the show picked up by a network or cable television, such as the Food Network.

Fiorile said the airing of the pilot on UPN is hopefully just a start. The pilot was filmed in Maryland, but all new episodes will be filmed in Dover on the new set, which was built with the help of the Heinz Corporation, who underwrote the project, the Fretz Corporation, Unilever, Dietz & Watson, Pepsi, and Miller Brewing Company.

A DVD cookbook featuring Tom Jones, Paul Anka, Issac Hayes, and Hershel Walker is now available. For more information, visit www.doverdownsiscooking.com, or call 302-857-2166. Free recipes may also be downloaded at the website.

Dover Downs Slots is on Route 13 in Dover, Del., off Route 1, Exit 104. Casino hours are 8 a.m. to 4 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 4 a.m. on Sunday.





NASCAR Driver Michael Waltrip to Appear on Dover Downs Slots Cooking Show