Bloggin' is Racin'

Plenty of gift ideas for the DFW local motorsports fan

If you have a local motorsports fan on your holiday shopping list, you don't have to look hard to find a perfect gift.

For example, Cowtown Speedway in Kennedale is offering an All Access Pass for the entire 2010 racing season. This All Access Pass includes every 2010 event where pit passes are sold. Pass holders will have access to the pits and general admission grandstand area on all practice nights, all special events including the Cowtown Midget Nationals, Cowtown Sprint Nationals, November Sprint Shootout and any other event that may be added. Pass holders can upgrade to a reserved seat for $5 on any race night.

The price of the All Access Pass is $599 and the passes are available online through Dec. 31 or by mailing a check to the speedway on or before Dec. 31. The final details for the 2010 race season are still being finalized, but the schedule will feature approximately 35 nights of racing. Visit www.CowtownSpeedway.com to get more information or to purchase an All Access Passes.

Of course, Texas Motor Speedway always has great deals on tickets this time of year. For example, NASCAR fans can purchase two Samsung Mobile 500 fronstretch tickets for $99 or head to the backstretch and get an even better deal with tickets as low as $20. Go here for information about current fan deals for the 2010 NASCAR and IndyCar Series events.

The Texas Motorplex in Ennis offers gift certificates that can be used to purchase event tickets or merchandise. Go here to get more information.

-- Michele Vincze

2009 Dickies 500 events and driver appearances (updated Oct. 20)

Texas Motor Speedway Dickies 500 events and driver appearances (all times Central)

Here are some events to plan for as the Dickies 500 weekend (Nov. 5-8) at Texas Motor Speedway gets closer.

Speedway Children’s Charities events

Beretta Celebrity Clay Shoot, Nov. 5
Ross Perot Jr.’s Circle T Ranch, Texas 114 at Trophy Club, Westlake, Texas
Sponsored teams will pair with local and national celebrities and NASCAR personalities for the fifth annual event. Sponsorship opportunities (that include the clay shoot) start at $5,000. For more information, visit http://texas.speedwaycharities.org/events/beretta_celebrity_clay_shoot_presented_by_coors_/

AutoTrader.com Sam Hornish Jr. Celebrity Bowling Tournament, Nov. 5
Main Event, Grapevine, Texas
Event begins at 6 p.m. Sponsored teams ($2,500 for lane sponsorship) will be paired with a celebrity guest. Bowling begins at 7:45 p.m.
This year fans can watch the bowling action when they purchase a $20 Public Viewing Area pass. The pass also includes a $10 Main Event fun card and unlimited game play for that evening. Visit http://texas.speedwaycharities.org/events/sam_hornish_celebrity_jr_bowling_tournament/ or call 817-215-8564 for information about lane sponsorship packages. Visit www.scctexas.org for more info about the Public Viewing Area passes.

Texas Motor Speedway Track Walk, Nov. 7
Walk begins 30 minutes after the conclusion of the O’Reilly Challenge Nationwide Series race. NASCAR Sprint Cup rookie Joey Logano is scheduled to walk with fans. Tickets are $25 in advance and $35 at the track. Children 16 and under can walk for free. On-site registration times are: 10:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. on Nov. 6 and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on Nov. 7.
Visit http://texas.speedwaycharities.org/events/texas_motor_speedway_track_walk/ for more information.

Live NASCAR Memorabilia Auction, Nov. 7
Texas Motor Speedway Hospitality Village
Event begins immediately after the O’Reilly Challenge Nationwide Series race. Auction is open to the public.
Visit http://texas.speedwaycharities.org/events/live_nascar_memorabilia_auction_44118/ for more information.

Track events/contests/hospitality packages

Win a trip to the NASCAR Sprint Cup awards ceremony
Texas Motor Speedway will give one fan the chance to attend the Sprint Cup awards ceremony this year in Las Vegas. The ceremony, scheduled for Dec. 4 at Wynn Las Vegas, will be open to a limited group of fans this year. The TMS prize includes two tickets to the ceremony, airfare, transportation and hotel accommodations. Fans can register online from Nov. 2-11 at www.texasmotorspeedway.com or at select kiosks located on the souvenir midway during the Dickies 500 weekend.

Race car rides, Nov. 7, 5 p.m.-10 p.m.
Texas Motor Speedway along with Team Texas High Performance Driving School will be giving race car rides around TMS. Cost is $150 per person. Call 817-215-8593 for more details and to reserve your spot. A limited number of tickets are available. Must be at least 16 years old. Schedule and weather permitting.

Time Warner Cable Pit Stop Pavilion pass, Village of Champions
Pass includes access to an exclusive Q&A session with Jeff Gordon, a continental breakfast and buffet lunch in the Time Warner Cable pavilion, and a VIP pit pass with pre-race access to pit road for the Dickies 500 on Nov. 8. Combo packages include the pass and a Dickies 500 frontstretch ticket for $199. Fans that already have a race ticket can purchase the Time Warner pass for $149. To purchase the passes, call the TMS ticket office at 817-215-8500.

Raceweek transportation

Media partner bus packages
Texas Motor Speedway has partnered with local and regional media outlets to provide bus trips departing from Dallas/Fort Worth, Oklahoma City, Tyler/Longview, Ennis, Weatherford, Hillsboro and Ardmore, Okla.
Each bus trip consists of round-trip motorcoach transportation to Texas Motor Speedway, VIP pit tour, complimentary food and beverage, and a frontstretch ticket for $159.
Media partners 98.7 KLUV(DFW), The Oklahoman & wimgo.com (Oklahoma City), 105.7 KYKX (Tyler/Longview), 106.9 KRVF (Ennis), 95.9 KFWR (Weatherford), 92.1 KTFW (Hillsboro) and 95.7 KKAJ, 92.7 KTRX, 107.1 KYNZ and 1240 KVSO (Ardmore, Okla.) will facilitate the bus trips from each location.
For more information about departures from each respective location, visit the media partners’ websites or contact the TMS ticket office at 817-215-8500.

Victory Lane Express
The Victory Lane Express bus service from Fort Worth to Texas Motor Speedway will provide race fans with economical roundtrip service for the Sprint Cup Dickies 500 on Nov. 8 and the Nationwide Series O’Reilly Challenge on Nov. 7.
The Victory Lane Express will offer fans roundtrip transportation from the Tarrant County Community College Northwest Campus to the speedway for $10 per person.  Drop off and pickup at the speedway will be in the facility’s bus lot located adjacent to Highway 114 that allows for expedited service.  Departures from the college will begin at 8 a.m. on race days and end at 10 a.m. Busses will begin returning 30 minutes after the race ends with the last bus running 90 minutes after the checkered flag.
For more information on the Victory Lane Express, call 817-215-8600 or visit www.the-t.com.

Driver/celebrity appearances

David Ragan, Nov. 5, 4 p.m.-6 p.m.
Ragan is scheduled to appear at the Discount Tire store at 2405 Grapevine Mills Circle in Grapevine.

NASCAR artist Sam Bass, Nov. 6, 10-11 a.m.
Bass will be signing limited-edition prints of the Dickies 500 program cover inside the Speedway World Gift Shop located at the TMS ticket office. The signed posters will be available to the first 200 fans that purchase $25 or more in merchandise/tickets at gift shop.

Texan Chris Buescher signs with Roush Fenway Racing

Roush Fenway Racing has welcomed another Texas native into its racing family. Teenager Chris Buescher of Prosper has signed a driver development contract with the NASCAR team. Colin Braun, 21, of Ovalo also races for Roush in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, where he is seventh in the points in his sophomore season piloting the No. 6 Ford.
 
The 16-year-old Buescher has spent the 2009 season competing part-time in the ARCA RE/MAX Series, where he has three top-five and four top-10 finishes in six starts for Roulo Brothers Racing. When he won the pole at Salem Speedway earlier this year, he set an ARCA record for the youngest pole winner in the series' 57-year history. Buescher is the younger cousin of James Buescher of Plano, who is a rookie in the Camping World Truck Series and drives the No. 10 Ford for Texas-based Circle Bar Racing. 

“I’ve worked really hard and it’s taken a long time, but I’m very glad to be where I am,” Chris Buescher said in a release. “Roush is one of the top teams out there and to be associated with them is an honor. This year was a big step. I’ve learned a lot this year and am really looking forward to next year."

It should come as no surprise that Buescher has landed with RFR. Roush Sprint Cup driver David Ragan has been mentoring Buescher in Legends Cars at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., since 2008. Buescher's No. 17 Ford in the ARCA RE/MAX Series is sponsored by the David Ragan Fan Club. Local racing fans may remember Buescher from when he won the 2007 Legends Car Pro division championship at Texas Motor Speedway.
 
Buescher will continue to run a part-time ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule in 2010 with Roulo Brothers in association with Roush Fenway Racing.

-- Michele Vincze

2009 Dickies 500 events and driver appearances (Nov. 5-8)

Some events to plan for as the Texas Motor Speedway Dickies 500 weekend (Nov. 5-8) gets closer.

Speedway Children's Charities events:

Beretta Celebrity Clay Shoot, Nov. 5, Ross Perot Jr.'s Circle T Ranch, Texas 114 at Trophy Club, Westlake, Texas
Sponsored teams will be paired with local and national celebrities and NASCAR personalities for the fifth annual event. Sponsorship opportunities (that include the clay shoot) start at $5,000. Go here for more information.

AutoTrader.com Sam Hornish Jr. Celebrity Bowling Tournament, Nov. 5, Main Event, Grapevine, Texas
Sponsored teams ($2,500 for lane sponsorship) will be paired with a celebrity guest. Event begins at 6 p.m. Bowling begins at 7:45 p.m.
This year a limited number of passes will be available for the Public Viewing Area. Public viewing passes are $20. This pass will allow the holder access to the designated public areas only. Everyone entering Main Event must have a ticket regardless of age. Go here for information about lane sponsorship packages. For further information or to reserve your lane, contact Speedway Children's Charities at 817-215-8564

Texas Motor Speedway Track Walk, Nov. 7
Walk begins 30 minutes after the conclusion of the O'Reilly Challenge Nationwide Series race. Tickets are $25 in advance and $35 at the track. Children 16 and under can walk for free. On-site registration times are: 10:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. on Nov. 6 and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on Nov. 7.
Go here for more information or register online.

Live NASCAR Memorabilia Auction, Nov. 7
Texas Motor Speedway Hospitality Village
Event begins immediately after the O'Reilly Challenge Nationwide Series race. Auction is open to the public.
Go here for more information.

Track events:

Race car rides, Nov. 7, 5 p.m.-10 p.m.
Texas Motor Speedway, along with Team Texas High Performance Driving Shool, will be giving race car rides around TMS. Cost is $150 per person.  Call 817-215-8593 for more details and to reserve your spot.  A limited number of tickets are available.   Must be at least 16 years old.  Schedule and weather permitting.

Driver appearances:

David Ragan, Nov. 5, 4 p.m.-6 p.m.
Ragan is scheduled to appear at the Discount Tire store at 2405 Grapevine Mills Circle in Grapevine.

Goodguys 17th Annual Lone Star Nationals

It just looked like the line went all the way to I-35W.

By Don Cook
Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Texas Motor Speedway (Fort Worth)
Oct. 3 (Saturday)

There was a large turnout of people and cars at the 17th Annual Goodguys Lone Star Nationals at TMS. Spectators could view an estimated 2,000 plus hot rods, kool customs or original classics. The swap meet was full of parts and vintage autos. There were alot of cars for sale in the Car Corral. I especially liked the late 30's restored jalopy racer. If you wanted to see what your hot rod could do in an obstacle course, you could enter it in the Street Challenge AutoCross. Also, there was live music and a NASCAR rental ride or a track cruise for those who wanted to get the feel of a NASCAR track. 

To view some photographs of the cars, click on the slide-show below. If you would like more information on the Goodguys Association go here: www.good-guys.com

A vintage restored jalopy racer in the Car Corral.

Dan McBroom's 1933 Ford big block pickup truck from Leonard, Tx.

Tony Wysinger's 1962 VW Bus from Krum, Tx with a 2110 cc engine.

1930's Ford Coupe with some wild, crazy headers.

$20 "Backstretch Buster" seats still available for Dickies 500 at TMS

Fans looking for a great value on tickets for the Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway can still buy a limited number of "Backstretch Buster" seats for the Nov. 8 race. Only 250 of the $20 seats are available. The seats are located along the first two rows of the backstretch.

“There is no better bang for your buck than the 'Backstretch Buster’ seats,” TMS President Eddie Gossage said in a release. “We don’t want the tough economic times to stop our loyal fans from catching the excitement of the Dickies 500, and these seats allow them to truly stretch their entertainment dollar.”

In addition to the “Backstretch Buster” seats, fans also can take advantage of two other backstretch ticket specials for the Dickies 500. All other seating above the first two rows is available for $40 per seat or fans can opt for the 7-Eleven Family 4-Pack. The package consists of four backstretch tickets, four hot dogs and four Coca-Cola drinks for just $159.

Dickies 500 Weekend 4-Packs, which run between $133-$228, can still be purchased here.

To purchase individual tickets to any of the races during the Dickies 500 NASCAR weekend, visit www.texasmotorspeedway.com or call the Texas Motor Speedway ticket office at 817-215-8500.

-- TMS release

Laps for Charity event scheduled for Sept. 26

The Texas chapter of Speedway Children's Charities will host Laps for Charity II on Sept. 26 (Saturday) at Texas Motor Speedway.

For a $30 donation, fans can drive their personal vehicles on the 1.5-mile oval for three laps -- rain or shine -- as they follow the lead of a TMS pace vehicle. Eighteen car clubs are scheduled to participate beginning at 5 p.m. and the laps for the general public will be from 7-10 p.m. Participants can also take a photo of their vehicle in Victory Lane for an extra $10 donation.

Special VIP packes are also available that include a reserved time for a five-lap driving session, photo in Victory Lane, two event t-shirts, a two-week trial membership to The Speedway Club at TMS and dinner for two in The Speedway Club that evening for $250. A limited number of VIP packages are being offered and they must be purchased in advance by calling Speedway Children's Charities at 817-215-8421.

For more information about the Laps for Charity event, visit www.scctexas.org or call 817-215-8421.

-- TMS release

Fans can watch live drivers press conferences via Texas Motor Speedway site

Ever wonder what it's like to sit in on a live press conference featuring your favorite driver? Texas Motor Speedway is going to give fans a chance to watch press conferences, as well as post-qualifying and post-race interview sessions live each weekend during the Chase.

On Thursday, the TMS Web site will make available the "Cut to the Chase" videoconference live from the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City. The videoconference will start at 1 p.m. (Central) and feature Tony Stewart, Carl Edwards, Mark Martin and Brian Vickers. At approximately 1:45 p.m. (Central), Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon and Martin will take questions from the media during an additional 20-minute session.

On Friday, fans can drop in on live media sessions from New Hampshire Motor Speedway featuring all 12 Chase drivers, as well as Camping World Truck Series points leader Ron Hornaday Jr.

Fans will need to check back at the TMS Web site each week to find out when they can watch their favorite drivers during their live media sessions.

Go here for more info and press conference times.

-- Michele Vincze

Fans will get chance to attend Sprint Cup awards ceremony for first time

For the first time in NASCAR history, fans will get to join drivers, team owners and industry leaders to celebrate the NASCAR Sprint Cup champion at the season-ending awards ceremony, scheduled for Dec. 4 at the Wynn Las Vegas.

There's a catch, though. Fans can't just buy one of the approximately 300 tickets available for the event. They have to win them. The fan tickets will be made available to the top 12 teams and drivers, Sprint Cup track operators and NASCAR corporate partners to utilize for fan promotions. The available tickets will be used as part of sweepstakes, contests and promotions.

“Making tickets available provides the teams, tracks and partners a truly unique opportunity to reach out to the fans like never before,” NASCAR CMO Steve Phelps said in a release. “We’re looking forward to seeing creative promotions for the limited number of tickets. We’ve worked very hard over the past four months to iron out details for the awards ceremony and the fan element was top priority.”

No word yet on a Texas Motor Speedway promotion or contest for these awards ceremony tickets. But if you know Eddie Gossage and the gang out a TMS, there is sure to be one. Stay tuned.

-- Michele Vincze

ZZ Top to play before Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway

Well it wouldn't be a pre-race show at Texas Motor Speedway without a good rock n' roll show, would it?

Legendary Texas band ZZ Top will play a one-hour concert before the Sprint Cup Dickies 500 on Nov. 8. The concert will be free to all fans with tickets for the race. TMS is offering a special $79 "Mosh Pit" ticket for fans who want to get closer to the stage. The "Mosh Pit" ticket must be accompanied by a race admission ticket.

The pre-race show is scheduled to start at 11:45 a.m. and ZZ Top will take the stage on the speedway's frontstretch at 12:30 p.m. The Dickies 500 is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. (Central).

Visit www.texasmotorspeedway.com or call 817-215-8500 for more information about tickets.

-- Michele Vincze