Actor-comedian Dane Cook to be the grand marshal for NASCAR race at Pocono

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/

FROM KEITH GROLLER

Actor-comedian Dane Cook is coming to Pocono to promote his new movie "Disney's Planes" and to get the Aug. 4 NASCAR race, called the GoBowling.com 400, started.

Cook has been named the grand marshal for the race and follows in the footsteps of other recent grand marshals including Kiefer Sutherland and Vanilla Ice.

Here's the release from Pocono:

LONG POND, PA (July 25, 2013) – Pocono Raceway announced today Dane Cook, star of the upcoming comedy adventure “Disney’s Planes,” will serve as Grand Marshal for the GoBowling.com 400 on August 4.  Additionally, Cook will join Jimmie Johnson, who will drive the No. 48 Lowe’s “Disney’s Planes” Chevrolet SS at “The Tricky Triangle,” at Johnson’s Fan Question-and-Answer session prior to the 400-mile NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway.

Cook’s duties as Grand Marshal include several meet-and-greets with NASCAR drivers, race fans and media, as well as, giving the command to start engines for the GoBowling.com 400.  Cook voices Dusty, a crop duster who dreams of becoming a high-flying aerial racer in “Disney’s Planes,” which debuts in theaters nationwide on Friday, August 9. Additionally, a crop duster reflecting Dusty’s design will perform the flyover prior to the start of Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race.

Johnson, the most recent Cup Series winner at Pocono, will host a fan-driven, question-and-answer session the morning of Sunday, August 4. This year’s Jimmie Johnson Fan Q&A session will take place at the Lowe’s display, located inside Pocono Raceway’s Fan Fair area. Access pass holders will receive a “Disney’s Planes” Lowe’s Build and Grow car, priority access to Johnson & Cook’s question-and-answer session, a chance to win a Pocono Raceway track piece signed by Johnson and the opportunity to preview the trailer for “Disney’s Planes.” Access Passes for the Jimmie Johnson Q&A are available at $48 for family four-pack or $20 for individuals and are on a first-come, first-serve basis.

A portion of the proceeds from this Jimmie Johnson Fan Q&A will support “Crossing Abilities” of Monroe County. Crossing Abilities, sponsored by Pocono Alliance, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization is a project comprised of volunteers with a collective vision for making a safe, all-inclusive playground a reality in Monroe County. The future site for this playground will be Mountain View Park, located in Tannersville, PA. For more information about this project, please visitwww.crossingabilities.org.

A Sunday ticket is required in order to purchase an access pass. To purchase tickets and/or Jimmie Johnson Fan Q&A passes, please visitwww.poconoraceway.com or call 1-800-RACEWAY (1-800-722-3929).