Lisa Marie Presley To Grand Marshal Sam's Town 250 Race Weekend

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE: BYD) proudly welcomes musical artist and NASCAR spokeswoman Lisa Marie Presley as grand marshal for the Sam's Town 250 NASCAR Busch Series race Saturday, October 22nd at Memphis Motorsports Park. The famous singer can also recently be seen starring in NASCAR television commercials asking fans "How bad have you got it?" as her "Thanx" single plays off her recently released What Now album. The 30-second television commercials are airing across the country as Presley promotes her new album, which debuted at number '9' on the Billboard music charts.

Presley couldn't be happier with her involvement in the Sam's Town 250 NASCAR Busch Series race in her hometown of Memphis. "I'm looking forward to being the Grand Marshal at the Sam's Town 250," Presley said. "I've definitely become a total NASCAR fan!"

In addition to Presley's high-profile trackside duties, Boyd Gaming is poised to offer fans even more excitement as this race determines the winner of the Sam's Town Challenge, a special driving incentive created to reward the driver who proves the most consistent in the two Sam's Town-sponsored races each year. The two races are held in Las Vegas and Memphis with one skilled competitor earning a $20,000 driving bonus.

This year's Sam's Town 250 race will also feature the special debut of a unique race car created to commemorate the 40th anniversary of A Charlie Brown Christmas, the classic holiday cartoon that has become an enduring cornerstone of American culture. Developed from artwork patterned from PEANUTS creator and legendary cartoonist Charles M. Schulz, the special race car pays homage to the yearly classic television special featuring "everybody's favorite blockhead."

"We're extremely excited about this year's race, especially with more than 50 million devoted fans following the NASCAR Busch Series," says Dan Stark, Director of Marketing for Boyd Gaming Corporation. "This year, we've got a lot going on with Lisa Marie Presley serving as grand marshal, the return of the Sam's Town Challenge as well as the special PEANUTS car in anticipation for the holiday season. We're looking forward to a race weekend filled with events the fans can really enjoy."

The Evernham Motorsports No. 6 Hungry Drivers/A Charlie Brown Christmas Dodge Charger will be driven by popular fan favorite and NASCAR champion 'Awesome' Bill Elliott. The car carries a special blue and white holiday color scheme featuring PEANUTS character mainstay Charlie Brown and his famous bedraggled Christmas tree branded on the car's hood and flanks. Plans also call for Elliott to team up with Snoopy and Charlie Brown mascot characters, which will be appearing for some on-track festivities including a parade lap prior to the start of the Sam's Town 250.

Once again, Sam's Town Tunica Casino will present $20,000 to the driver who accumulates the most points in both the Sam's Town 300 (run at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March) and the Sam's Town 250 in Memphis. This year's March event was won by veteran driver Mark Martin, driving the No. 9 Pennzoil Platinum/Pep Boys Ford. Martin scored his 47th career Busch Series victory during the race. Last year's Sam's Town Challenge winner, David Stremme finished third in the opening round of the Challenge, just behind race winner Martin and Chevy driver Kevin Harvick.

The October Sam's Town 250 race weekend will also showcase a host of special events for fans, including a concert by country legend Travis Tritt. In addition, Sam's Town Tunica Casino will once again host its annual driver's autograph session and silent auction of memorabilia, NASCAR collectibles, and racing accessories with proceeds benefiting the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. This organization serves the needs of children worldwide.

Tickets for the 2005 Sam's Town 250 can be purchased at the Memphis Motorsports Park web site at www.memphismotorsportspark.com or by calling 1-866-40-SPEED. Sam's Town Tunica Hotel & Gambling Hall, located on the Casino Strip just south of Memphis in Tunica, Miss., sports hundreds of elegant hotel rooms and encompasses over 1.1 million square feet, with more than 90 percent of its facilities dedicated to non-gaming activities.

About Boyd Gaming Corporation:

Headquartered in Las Vegas, Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE: BYD) is a leading diversified owner and operator of 18 gaming entertainment properties, plus one under development, located in Nevada, New Jersey, Mississippi, Illinois, Indiana and Louisiana.

About Action Performance Companies:

Action Performance Companies Inc. (NYSE: ATN) is the leader in the design, promotion, marketing and distribution of licensed motorsports merchandise.

About St. Jude Children's Research Hospital:

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Founded by late entertainer Danny Thomas and based in Memphis, Tennessee, St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world. No family ever pays for treatments not covered by insurance, and families without insurance are never asked to pay. St. Jude is financially supported by ALSAC, its fund-raising organization. For more information, please visit www.countrycares.org.