Speedking Sparks Fireworks! World Record Holder Russ Wicks Breaks World Stock Car Speed Record July 4th Weekend at Bonneville Celebrating Independence Day.

BONNEVILLE SALT FLATS, Utah -- Please replace the release with the following corrected version due to multiple revisions.

The corrected release reads:

SPEEDKING SPARKS FIREWORKS! WORLD RECORD HOLDER RUSS WICKS BREAKS WORLD STOCK CAR SPEED RECORD JULY 4TH WEEKEND AT BONNEVILLE CELEBRATING INDEPENDENCE DAY

In an extraordinary and successful attempt to spark true American Independence, world speed record holder Russ Wicks set out this July 4th weekend for Utah's Bonneville Speedway to break "the flying mile" World Stock Car Speed Record that was set nearly 35 years ago at the same race track.

Wicks now holds the record for World's Fastest Stock Car at 222.64 miles per hour, beating Bobby Isaac's long-standing record of 216 mph (set in September 1971 using a NASCAR Grand National spec vehicle).

In a game of speed and precision, Wicks took to the course in his NASCAR spec Ford Taurus equipped with a V-8 engine and 800 horsepower. Cutting edge software technology enabled Wicks and his American Challenge Team of engineers and designers to optimize the high-speed stock car. After achieving the record, in a final run for the weekend, the team pushed the technology on Wicks' stock car even further (beyond NASCAR specification) and he averaged 237 mph on a one way measured mile.

The Speedking's record was certified by Mike Cook, Chairman of Bonneville Nationals, Inc. and was run in accordance with FIA timing and scoring standards for speed records. The event was produced by the American Challenge Team and sponsored by Autodesk.

"Over the last few days there have been many hurdles to overcome to fulfill the dream of breaking Bobby Isaac's stock car record," said Wicks. "I am ecstatic to have been able to do this here at Bonneville. This could not have been accomplished without the incredible support of my family, my team and my partner Autodesk."

To enhance the design, speed and stability of its vehicle for the race across the Salt Flats, the American Challenge team used Autodesk Inventor 11 software, the team designed a new rear spoiler -- vital to the aerodynamics, built a custom belly pan, and added disc wheel covers; all having an impact on Wicks' ability to push the limits.

The Autodesk Stock Car was built to NASCAR Super Speedway specification to compete on the high-speed ovals of Daytona and Talladega. While this type of Stock Car will regularly approach the 190 mile-per-hour mark in competition, for the World Speed Record run it was trimmed to maximize straight-line speed.

Wicks is one of few people to have traveled over 220 MPH on both land and water. In 2000, Wicks broke the longest standing major speed record in motor sports history, and became the fastest person ever to take a propeller driven boat through the measured mile.

Event photos available: www.autodesk.com/speedking. Video footage available via satellite link IAGC15 4000 Vertical (for information call JoDee George/Fleishman-Hillard at 608-658-7122). For more information: www.russwicks.com.