Race fans can take the shuttle to Texas Motor Speedway
Shuttle service will again be offered at Texas Motor Speedway during the Nov. 1-2 race weekend. Officials at the Fort Worth Transportation Authority learned a month ago that their Victory Lane Express shuttle service might not be allowed because of a new federal rule restricting the use of public buses for private events. But T officials have since learned that their shuttles are exempt from the rule, spokeswoman Joan Hunter said. Speedway officials are elated. "I wish more fans would use it. They haven’t come close to reaching their limit," general manager Eddie Gossage said. "Their ability to handle the crowd is great. It’s cheap. It’s the fastest way in and out, and it’s safe."
How it works - For $10 roundtrip, passengers may board buses at a temporary park-and-ride at Tarrant County College Northwest Campus, 4801 Marine Creek Parkway. Police working crowd control at the speedway give buses priority access in and out. For information call the T at (817) 215-8600 or visit www.the-t.com or www.texasmotorspeedway.com. (From Star-Telegram.com)
Comments (6)Ill-Handling Cars In Texas Draw Complaints, Except From Winner
Tags: jeff gordon, jimmie johnson, kyle busch, carl edwards, texas motor speedway
April 6, 2008 // Associated Press // FORT WORTH, Texas -- Jimmie Johnson finished second and Jeff Gordon had a rare last-place finish. While at opposite ends of the field, both Hendrick teammates had complaints about how the new cars handled at Texas Motor Speedway.
"The car is so dependent on aerodynamics that the guy in front has a major, major advantage," Johnson said. "More than we've ever had before."
Near the end of the Samsung 500 on Sunday, after two late cautions tightened the field and sent the race to two extra laps, Johnson still couldn't catch up with Carl Edwards.
"We're all afraid to run side-by-side, and you can only get so close to the guy in front of you," said Johnson, obviously frustrated despite his second straight top-five finish. "I can tell you how bad (the car) drove. ... My hands were full."
At least Johnson had a good finish to show for his day. Gordon was 43rd -- last in the field -- for only the second time in his 516 career Cup races. Gordon finished only 124 of the 339 laps.
When Gordon spun out and made contact with the wall on lap 109, he bypassed his pit and took the ill-handling No. 24 Chevrolet straight to the garage. After lengthy repairs, Gordon went back on the track more than 100 laps down and ran only a few more laps before finally parking the car.
"We've tried every setup we can find, but none of them seem to work," Gordon said. "I was just hanging on every single lap."
Except for a two-day tire test with two cars in mid-January, this week was the first time NASCAR's new cars ran at Texas.
Kyle Busch, after winning the Nationwide race at Texas on Saturday, was third Sunday in his Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota for his best finish in seven Cup starts at Texas. And even he wasn't completely thrilled.
"Was it fun to drive? No. Was it hard to drive? Yes," Busch said. "Did it survive the day? Yes. So was it a good day? Sure."
Edwards had a different take, though, than everybody who followed him on the track. He insisted that the cars were "the same for everybody. It makes it more exciting to win. ... It's not supposed to be a drive on the interstate."
Gordon started 18th, dropped five spots the first three laps, then slipped to 35th after 11 laps. Then on lap 70, Gordon was passed by Johnson, who was leading the race at the time. Gordon was trying to avoid being lapped again when he spun.
Gordon has 81 victories and is one of only four drivers to run all 15 Cup races in Texas, but he still hasn't won on the high-banked 1 1/2-mile track in any series. Gordon at least has a Nationwide victory at Homestead, the only other track he hasn't won a Cup race.
"We have had our moments when the car has been really good," Gordon said. "But, you know what, when the car is off, I am lost here. I haven't felt this lost since my rookie year at a race track."
Comments (1)NASCAR to create traffic jam at Texas Motor Speedway
More than 200,000 fans are expected to descend on Texas Motor Speedway to take part in the Samsung 500 festivities. In the past, the influx of visitors has clogged highways and byways around the speedway.
This time around, NASCAR fans won’t be able to get updates on their cellphones via text messages from the TMS Traffic Tracker, according to Jason Wise, TMS spokesman.
So the best thing to do is to come early and follow the directions, he said.
“People just need to look on the Web site at the parking tips and follow the directions from the police,” Mr. Wise said.
Dallas fans should avoid State Highway 114 on the way to the track because it will be only two lanes. But on the way out, a temporary third lane will be opened to help ease the flow of traffic, he said.
Route maps can be found on the speedway’s Web site, www.texasmotorspeedway.com. Mr. Wise said those routes will be the best ways to get to and from the races. (From DallasNews.com)
Comments (0)Texas Motor Speedway Power Rankings
Tags: kevin harvick, jeff burton, tony stewart, jeff gordon, jimmie johnson, kyle busch, greg biffle, carl edwards, texas motor speedway, denny hamlin
Here are the Sprint Cup power rankings going into Texas Motor Speedway according to Fox Sports:
1. Kyle Busch — 110.5 driver rating (No. 1 last week)
2. Carl Edwards — 106.5 driver rating (No. 2 last week)
3. Jeff Gordon — 106.5 driver rating (No. 4 last week)
4. Dale Earnhardt Jr. — 105.0 driver rating (No. 7 last week)
5. Tony Stewart — 100.8 driver rating (No. 6 last week)
6. Kevin Harvick — 100.0 driver rating (No. 3 last week)
7. Jeff Burton — 99.4 driver rating (No. 8 last week)
8. Jimmie Johnson — 95.5 driver rating (Outside of top 10 last week)
9. Greg Biffle — 95.1 driver rating (No. 5 last week)
10. Denny Hamlin — 93.6 driver rating (Outside of top 10 last week)
Dropped out: Matt Kenseth, Kasey Kahne
Comments (0)Chad McCumbee to run the Petty #45 at Texas Motor Speedway
Tags: kyle petty, texas motor speedway, petty enterprises, chad mccumbee
Quotes from Kyle Petty:
“Chad McCumbee is going to step into the No. 45 Marathon American Spirit Motor Oil Dodge this weekend at Texas. Texas is a good track for him. He had a strong run going in the truck race there last year. At Pocono, he did a great job filling in for me when I went into the booth. Everyone at Petty Enterprises believes in Chad and his abilities. Texas gives us a chance to get another good look at Chad without throwing him to the wolves. He should be relaxed because he knows he can get the job done there.”
Quotes from Chad McCumbee:
“I feel comfortable around the No. 45 team. Billy Wilburn and I work well together. We had a great race last year at Pocono. I’m hoping for more of the same this weekend. Kyle is going to be there, giving me advice and pointers. That means a lot to me. I’ve learned a lot from him already.”
“I’m anxious to do my part to help this team. We’re planning on going to Kentucky Speedway on Wednesday for a test. Just to help me get used to the new car. The two races last year were in the old car, so there will be a little bit of an adjustment period there. I don’t have a lot of experience in the old car either, so maybe that will be a positive.” (From PettyRacing.com)
Comments (0)Texas Motor Speedway schedule and driver appearances
Tags: bobby labonte, kevin harvick, aric almirola, clint bowyer, carl edwards, casey mears, kenny wallace, patrick carpentier, texas motor speedway, regan smith
Texas Motor Speedway Schedule
Thursday (4/3/08)
10:30 a.m.: Gate 4 opens
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: NASCAR Nationwide Series practice
1-2 p.m.: Nationwide Series practice
6 p.m.: Qualifying for the Nationwide Series O'Reilly 300
8 p.m.: Fandango (open to season ticket holders only)
Friday (4/4/08)
11 a.m.: Gates 1-8, 11, north tunnel, luxury suites and Victory Lane Club open
Noon-1:30 p.m.: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice
3:40 p.m.: Qualifying for Sprint Cup Series Samsung 500
After qualifying: Texas Motor Speedway's Rockin' Roundup starring Big & Rich (frontstretch)
Saturday (4/5/08)
9 a.m.: Gates 1-8, 11, north tunnel, luxury suites and Victory Lane Club open
11-11:45 a.m.: Sprint Cup practice
12:20-1:20 p.m.: Sprint Cup final practice
2 p.m.: NASCAR Nationwide Series O'Reilly 300 (200 laps/300 miles; TV: ESPN2; Radio: KLLI/105.3 FM)
6 p.m.: Legends Races on 1/5 -mile at Lil' Texas track
Sunday (4/6/08)
9 a.m.: Gates 1-11, north tunnel, luxury suites and Victory Lane Club open
1 p.m.: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Samsung 500 (334 laps/501 miles; TV: KDFW/Ch. 4; Radio: KLLI/105.3 FM)
Post race: Legends Races on 1/4 -mile oval, superspeedway
DRIVER APPEARANCES
Wednesday (4/2/08)
Kenny Wallace and Brad Coleman, Southlake Carroll Senior HS, 4-6 p.m.
David Ragan and Jeff Hammond, Discount Tire, 2055 W. State Hwy. 114 in Grapevine, 4-6 p.m.
Thursday (4/3/08)
Patrick Carpentier, Speedzone, 11130 Malibu Dr., Dallas, 5 p.m.
Friday (4/4/08)
Brad Coleman, Brookshire's tent store near the Turn 3 campgrounds at TMS, 2-2:30 p.m.
David Ragan, Speedzone, 11130 Malibu Dr., Dallas, 5 p.m.
Kevin Harvick, Regan Smith, Casey Mears, Aric Almirola, Jeremy Mayfield and Scott Riggs, Chevy Thunder at the Stockyards, Fort Worth, 6-8 p.m. One hundred autograph passes per driver will be distributed at 3:30 p.m. Friday.
Bobby Labonte, Sam's Club, 1701 W. State Hwy. 114, Grapevine, 6-8 p.m.
Carl Edwards, Office Depot, 1317 W. State Hwy. 114, Grapevine, 6-8 p.m. Only 250 wristbands will be handed out at 7 a.m. on April 4 at the store.
Clint Bowyer, Mesquite Championship Rodeo, Resistol Arena, 7-8 p.m.
Saturday (4/5/08)
Brad Keselowski, Navy display, TMS frontstretch midway, 10:45-11:15 a.m.
Sunday (4/6/08)
Casey Mears, No. 5 souvenir trailer, TMS frontstretch midway, 9 a.m.
