DRAMA, TEMPERS RISE AMONG CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENDERS AS CHASE NEARS RETURN TO TMS FOR AAA TEXAS 500
Drivers Join Fans To Share Their Message Of Faith Prior To AAA Texas 500
AAA Texas 500 Race Day To Prove Special For One Lucky Couple
FORT WORTH, Texas (Oct. 15, 2014) – The excitement of the newly reformatted Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup reached a new level Saturday evening at Charlotte Motor Speedway as emotions proved volatile amongst championship contenders.
Former Sprint Cup Series champions Matt Kenseth and Brad Keselowski highlighted an evening of intense racing that spilled emotions into the garage as Kenseth and Keselowski tangled between haulers following the race. The raw emotion is the wild card in NASCAR’s new postseason championship format that drivers will continue to face as they battle for every coveted point leading up to this weekend’s final race of the Contender Round at Talladega Superspeedway. That emotion should ramp up substantially at Texas Motor Speedway when the Chase reaches the midway point of the Eliminator Round during the AAA Texas 500 and berths to vie for the championship are on the line.
“When you see Matt Kenseth mad enough to fight, you know that this is intense because that’s way out of character for him,” last weekend’s race winner Kevin Harvick said. “When you see that emotion out of Matt Kenseth, you know that NASCAR has done the right thing to this Chase because everybody is on offense and gouging for every single position that you can get every lap.”
Four-time Sprint Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon, who currently sits sixth in the championship standings after a runner-up finish last weekend at Charlotte, has seen a dynamic shift in philosophy when it comes to approaching the elimination style of the Chase.
Gordon currently is 17 points ahead of Matt Kenseth, who sits in the first elimination position outside the top eight. For Gordon, who is looking to capture his first championship under the Chase format, each race will only build the pressure.
“The format is definitely creating a lot of drama, a lot of intensity, a lot of pressure and each round seems to intensify that much more,” Gordon said. “I think we’ve got an excellent race team, and I really hope we can make it through Talladega because I think the next round suits us very, very well.”
The pressure is not only leaving drivers sleepless, crew chiefs are feeling the pressure to make the right calls and ensure their teams have flawless pit stops throughout the race. A miscue on pit road could mean the difference of a few positions and ultimately putting their driver outside a spot into the Eliminator Round of the Chase for the Sprint Cup.
“I have to admit, and DeLana (Harvick) will vouch, I was eating Pepto-Bismol tablets all night,” Harvick’s crew chief Rodney Childers said. “It started weeks ago, and that’s how it’s going to be all the way to Homestead. I ought to have stock in Pepto-Bismol, I guess.”
The intensity will reach new heights when the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns to Texas Motor Speedway for the AAA Texas 500. Tickets for the eighth race in the Chase are still available by calling the Texas Motor Speedway ticket office at (817) 215-8500 or by visiting www.texasmotorspeedway.com.
Fans attending the AAA Texas 500 can share their message of faith with some of NASCAR’s biggest drivers as Racing with Faith hosts a special gathering Sunday, Nov. 2 in the Speedway Club grandstands outside Turn 1.
The event, emceed by popular WBAP radio personality Chris Krok, begins at 7:45 a.m. CT and participants can enjoy music, prayers from Dr. Roger Marsh of Texas Alliance Raceway Ministries and inspiring Q&A sessions with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series superstar Danica Patrick, Sprint Cup Series rookie Justin Allgaier and NASCAR television personality Wendy Venturini.
The event is free to all fans with a AAA Texas 500 grandstand ticket. Fans attending the Racing with Faith event may enter through Gate 7 beginning at 7:45 a.m. For more information, visit www.texasmotorspeedway.com.
Getting Hitched
For one lucky couple, AAA Texas 500 race day will be about racing to the alter as Lone Star 92.5 is providing the ultimate dream wedding at Texas Motor Speedway.
Beginning now until Friday, Oct. 24, couples can visit www.lonestar925.com to submit their cutest couple photo along with a description of why they should be married at Texas Motor Speedway prior to the AAA Texas 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup race on Sunday, Nov. 2.
All entries will be viewed by a team of judges, including Lone Star 92.5 morning hosts Bo, Jim and Randy. One lucky winner will be selected and they will get to celebrate their wedding day at Texas Motor Speedway as part of the “No Limits” Garage Party presented by WinStar World Casino & Resort.
The wedding will begin with the bridal party – bride and two bridesmaids – preparing for the big day in a private room at The Speedway Club. Once they are ready, they will be taken to the “No Limits” Garage Party presented by WinStar World Casino & Resort to join the groom and his two groomsmen and 40 of the bride and groom’s closest family and friends.
Bo and Jim will serve as the officiants for the ceremony as the couple officially ties the knot. The couple’s first dance will be performed by “No Limits” Garage Party musical entertainers, Live 80, in front of thousands of Texas Motor Speedway race fans.
The winner also will receive all the resources to prepare a wedding, including event planning, flowers, cake, dress and tuxedo rental, photos and tickets for the AAA Texas 500.
For more information, visit www.lonestar925.com/contests and click on the “Win a Dream Wedding at Texas Motor Speedway” link.
Shoppers can gear up and help raise funds for Speedway Children’s Charities-Texas Chapter during the grand opening of Sheplers’ newest location in Alliance Town Center – 9550 Sage Meadow Trail in Fort Worth – on Thursday, Oct. 16, from 6-9 p.m. CT.
The western wear retailer is celebrating its grand opening with a VIP Grand Opening Party that is open to the public. Shoppers will be treated to cocktails and hors d’oeuvres along with live entertainment by The Chance Anderson Band. Twenty-percent of the sales generated from the evening will benefit Speedway Children’s Charities.
Shoppers also can take part in raffles and silent auction items that all benefit Speedway Children’s Charities-Texas Chapter and its effort to touch the lives of children in North Texas.
