Nascar SCS Duck Commander 500 at Texas Motor Speedway April Sat. 11 on FOX at 7:30 PM ET

Nascar ^

[mabarker1]

EVENT SCHEDULE
Sprint Cup Series

Event Schedule times are local to the track

Thursday, April 9
12:00 PM NSCS HAULER ENTER
2:00 - 6:00 PM NSCS GARAGE OPEN

Friday, April 10
9:00 AM - 8:30 PM NSCS GARAGE OPEN
9:30 AM NSCS ROOKIE & SPOTTER MEETINGS & RANDOM DRAWING
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM NSCS PRACTICE
1:00 - 2:20 PM NSCS FINAL PRACTICE
2:25 PM NSCS QUALIFYING INSPECTION BEGINS
5:45 PM NSCS QUALIFYING

Saturday, April 11
12:30 PM NSCS GARAGE OPENS
4:30 PM NSCS DRIVER/CREW CHIEF MEETING
6:00 PM NSCS DRIVERS INTRODUCTION
6:30 PM NSCS RACE

NSCS = Sprint Cup Series
SUBJECT TO CHANGE
All event schedule times above are listed in LOCAL track time

PRACTICE & QUALIFYING
Dates / Times / TV coverage

(these times in eastern time)

• Practices:
  Friday, April 10, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm/et, TV-FS1

• Happy Hour 'Final' practice: Friday, April 10, 2:00 - 3:20 pm/et, TV-FS1

• Qualifying: group qualifying for positions 1-36, Friday, April 10 at 6:45 pm/et, TV-FS1, re-air scheduled Saturday, April 11th at 4:30am/et on FS1.

[mabarker1]

Track Specifications:
Track/Race Length: 1.5-mile quad oval, 334 laps, 501 miles
Track Size: 1.5 miles
Race: 334 laps, 501 miles
Width: 58 feet (minimum)
Turns: 750-foot radius
Degree of Banking: Turns: 24 degrees
Straightaways/dogleg: Banking: 5 degrees;
Straights: Front Straight - 2250 feet; Back Stretch - 1330 feet
Front Straightaway Grandstand: 66 rows, 112,522. Includes: PSL seats (36,000 w/armrests); and Handicapped Seating (1,595 - Row 28 at portal entrances)
Back Straightaway Grandstand: 12 rows, 9,855
Luxury Suites: 144 with seating for 9,992
Victory Lane Club Suites: 50 with seating for 3,152
Condominium Seating: 2,571
Infield Capacity: Approx. 53,000
Grandstand Seating: 122,377
Total Permanent Seating: 138,122
Total Estimated Capacity: 191,122 Pit Road: 45 pit stalls for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Pit Road Speed: 45mph
Pace Car Speed: 55mph
Opened: 1997

• Race Festivities/Officials:
  Grand Marshal: TBA
  Command to start engines: TBA
  Honorary Starter/Wave Green Flag: TBA
  Honorary Pace Car Driver: TBA
  Color Guard: TBA
  Invocation: TBA
  National Anthem: TBA
  Flyover: TBA

[mabarker1]

TIRE NOTES & FACTS

• Tire: Goodyear Eagle Speedway Radials

• Set limits:
  Sprint Cup: 5 sets for practice/qualifying and 12 sets for the race;
  Xfinity: 8 sets for the event

• Tire Codes:
  Left-side -- D-4392; Right-side -- D-4618

• Tire Circumference:
  Left-side -- 87.40 in. (2,220 mm);
  Right-side -- 88.58 in. (2,250 mm)

• Minimum Recommended Inflation:
  Left Front -- 23 psi; Left Rear -- 21 psi;
  Right Front -- 53 psi; Right Rear -- 49 psi

• Notes: Teams in both the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Xfinity Series will run the same tire set-up at Texas this week . . . this is the same combination of left- and right-side tires that these teams ran twice at Texas last season . . . this left-side tire code (D-4392) has been run by NASCAR teams at Texas since 2011 . . . this right-side tire code (D-4618) was introduced at this track last April . . . this right-side tire employs Goodyear's multi-zone tread technology, which combines two distinct tread compounds on the same tire -- the outside 10 inches of the tread features a compound that is designed for grip, while the inside two inches of the tread is toughened to enhance durability on the part of the tire sees the most heat and takes the most abuse . . . as on all NASCAR ovals greater than one mile in length, teams are required to run inner liners in all four tire positions at Texas . . . air pressure in those inner liners should be 12-25 psi greater than that of the outer tire.

[mabarker1]

Steve Byrnes hospitalized: Fox Sports' Steve Byrnes, who has been on leave from the network while battling Stage 4 head-and-neck cancer, is currently hospitalized. Byrnes tweeted Wednesday morning,"I am in ICU with pneumonia and a Pulmonary Embolism (blood clot) in my lung. Kind of a perfect storm on top of cancer. Thanks for prayers."(4-8-2015)

[mabarker1]

Ernie Elliott's wife charged with aggravated assault UPDATE: The wife of famed NASCAR engine builder Ernie Elliott was arrested early Tuesday morning. Sheila G. Elliott, 63, was charged with felony aggravated assault in connection with an incident that occurred on March 18 at the family's racing compound on Elliott Family Parkway. According to the arrest warrant, the suspect over revved the engine of her 2004 Mercedes Benz sedan and attempted to run her husband over with the vehicle, forcing him to climb "underneath a trailer for safety." He was not injured during the incident, which was reported to local authorities on March 24, the same day a warrant was secured for Sheila Elliott's arrest. Officers attempted to make an arrest that day, but were not able to do so due to a health concern. "Cpl. Ethan Taffar investigated and was about to take her into custody for aggravated assault under family violence when a medical condition arose, which had to be dealt with at that particular moment," said Capt. Tony Wooten, sheriff's spokesman. The nature of the argument that led to the alleged assault on March 18 was not publically revealed. Revered as one of NASCAR's top engine builders, Ernie Elliott helped power brother Bill Elliott to numerous victories over the family's 20-year collaboration, including his 1988 championship. He also built the engine that holds NASCAR's Sprint Cup qualifying record. His engines have 39 wins, 148 top five's, 291 top 10's and 51 poles. As of Tuesday afternoon, she remained in police custody without bond. A hearing before a judge is set for today.(Dawson News)(4-1-2015)
UPDATE: The wife of famed NASCAR engine builder Ernie Elliott remained in custody Tuesday, nearly a week after she was arrested for reportedly trying to run him over. Magistrate Judge Tony Tarnacki set Sheila G. Elliott's bond at $10,000 during her first appearance hearing on April 1. The 63-year-old Dawsonville woman may have no contact with her husband, according to the conditions of bond. Court records show that she also is required to stay away from business property on Elliott Family Parkway, where the alleged incident occurred.A preliminary hearing in Magistrate Court is set for April 29.(Dawson News)(4-8-2015)

[mabarker1]

Teams will get quicker access to video of pit road violations: Beginning with this weekend's race at Texas, all Sprint Cup teams will be provided adequate bandwidth to allow videos detailing pit road infractions to be sent directly to the appropriate pit box. In late May, when the series moves to Charlotte Motor Speedway, similar connectivity will also be provided in each garage bay. Video showing an infraction is currently sent to the team in question - typically to their haulers where they have adequate bandwidth to handle video - almost as soon as it is received and processed by officials in the PRO trailer. Some teams have the capability and bandwidth to forward it along to their pit box, where the crew chief and any others may view it as well. Now, when a team commits and infraction, video evidence will be delivered to the crew chief on the pit box almost as soon as it occurs. (NASCAR.com)(4-8-2015)

[mabarker1]

ZZ Top to perform pre-race concert at Charlotte: ZZ Top, who were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones, will bring their iconic tunes, trademark beards and dark sunglasses to Charlotte Motor Speedway for what promises to be an energetic pre-race concert to get fans revved up before the green flag falls on the Coca-Cola 600, Sunday, May 24. The concert was announced by Coca-Cola Racing Family driver Danica Patrick and Marcus Smith, president and general manager at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Tuesday. Patrick, who said she grew up listening to ZZ Top, drove the "Little Ol' Band From Texas" into a press event in a vintage Chevrolet Bel Air as the band's classic "Sharp Dressed Man" played. Comprised of the same three members who formed the band in 1969 - Billy F. Gibbons (guitar), Dusty Hill (bass) and Frank Beard (drums) - ZZ Top will perform a 45-minute set in the infield of the legendary 1.5-mile superspeedway just hours before NASCAR's best are scheduled to take the track for the ultimate test of man and machine. The concert is free for all Coca-Cola 600 race ticket holders. (CMS)(4-8-2015)

Personal Note:

When I was 16 and in Houston, one Friday Night after work at the Parts Store several of of Us had gone over to an NHRA Funny Car Shop to hang out for a while and about 9PM we are sitting around Bench Racing and there is a "BAM BAM BAM!!! on the garage door- one of the Team Owners goes to see who it is and comes back in the workshop with Bill, Dusty and Frank in tow!!!!!!!!!!!

Well being 15-16 years old we all just dropped our jaws open...

They hung out and Partied for about an hour and then moved on to the next stop they were headed to.

[mabarker1]

Film To Be Made About Bobby Allison: Posse Films, LLC, the inspirational feature film production company that controls the rights to several historically significant and uplifting life stories, recently announced the making of a biopic about the larger-than-life NASCAR pioneer, and NASCAR Hall of Fame member, Bobby Allison. Together with the Allison family, the Posse Films team will put the dramatic story of one of the greatest NASCAR legends on the silver screen. Posse Films is in pre-production on the heart-centered motivational story of Bobby Allison. "My family and I are thrilled to have this film produced by Posse Films," Bobby Allison said in a recent statement. "Mark and his team at Posse Films are like family to us, and I know we can trust them with our story." The movie project will be based on Bobby Allison's rise to the top of NASCAR as a three-time Daytona 500 winner, followed by a crash that ended Bobby's career at 50 years of age. Thereafter, Bobby and Judy suffer the loss of their two beloved racing sons. The film will showcase the highs and lows of the 55-year love story between Bobby and Judy Allison.(Yahoo Finance)
AND An independent feature film on the life story of NASCAR legend, Bobby Allison, developed by Bobby Allison Production LLC. ("The Company") is scheduled to commence pre-production in late 2014 and filming in early 2015. Theatrical release is planned for fall 2015.(allisonfilm.com)(4-5-2015)

Bobby lives around the corner at Lake Norman here in Mooresville from Us and even shops at the same Food Lion We do.

[nascarnation]

Great story!

[nascarnation]

Wow Mrs. Ernie got seriously p*ssed about somethin’

[rabidralph]

“something.” I wonder if there is a “Plan B” Mrs. Elliott somewhere.

[mabarker1]

Thanks, it sure caught Us off guard!

Hawg Heaven Queso Wing to debut at Texas: Texas Motor Speedway and Levy Restaurants are bringing home the bacon once again to its fans. The next generation of the highly successful Hawg Heaven line - the Hawg Heaven Queso Wing - will make its debut at the Duck Commander 500 NASCAR doubleheader weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. The Hawg Heaven Queso Wing is an oversized chicken drummette that is French cut, doused in a bacon queso sauce and then topped with a mixture of crumbled Doritos and bacon bits. An order includes four wings, which is just under one pound of chicken. The item will sell for $12 and only be available at the concession stand on the concourse inside the Gate 4 main grandstand entrance. The Hawg Heaven concession line began in 2013 with the Hawg Heaven Bacon Cotton Candy and has featured the Shake 'n Bacon Brew bacon-infused beer milkshake and most recently Hawg Heaven Bacon Nachos. The bacon-infused nachos also will be available during the Duck Commander 500 race weekend.(TMS)(4-7-2015)

They using them TEXAS CHICKENS- 4 wings = just under 1LB !

[mabarker1]

"Mental Pause" ???

Texas Motor Speedway to place tire packs at five locations UPDATE: Texas Motor Speedway will present additional safety devices when its racing season begins next week with a NASCAR doubleheader. Speedway Motorsports Inc., which owns TMS, began reviewing its facilities after Kyle Busch's hard crash into an unprotected concrete wall at Daytona International Speedway in the season-opening Xfinity race. Busch incurred a broken right leg and left foot and has not returned. SMI assigned a group of consultants and engineers review TMS' 11/2-mile track on Sunday. They recommended adding 244 linear feet of tire packs in five locations. That includes spaces of 33 feet in Turn 1 and 29 feet in Turn 4. TMS immediately went to work implementing the suggestions, at its expense. The track expects the tire packs to be installed in time for the first events of the season: the Xfinity O'Reilly Auto Parts 300 on April 10 and the Sprint Cup Duck Commander 500 the following evening. The tire packs are a short-term answer. In the off-season, when the material is available, TMS is expected to replace them with the more advanced and more expensive SAFER barrier.(Dallas Morning News)(4-1-2015)
UPDATE: Texas Motor Speedway, following the recommendations and guidance of NASCAR officials, completed a two-day installation project Wednesday to add 250 feet of tire barriers in preparation for next week's Duck Commander 500 NASCAR doubleheader weekend. The tire bundles were added to five inner wall areas of the 1.5-mile oval per the instruction of NASCAR as to the specific locations, length of runs and general construction of the safety addition. The inner wall at the exit of pit lane was the most wide-ranging area with 115 feet of tire bundles while areas near pit lane entry, the jet truck staging area in Turn 1 and emergency vehicle cut-out areas in turns 1 and 4 varied between 30 and 35 feet each. Approximately 450 tires were used in constructing the barriers, which will complement the existing, extensive SAFER Barrier system that encompasses the majority of the walls.
The tire bundles, which consist of a combination of racing and street tires, are bolted together using heavy-duty nuts, bolts and washers. The tires are secured to the wall with a 3/8-inch cable that runs through the top row of tires of each tire bundle as well as cable clamps that are also used on the speedway's wheel fence. The purpose of the cable is to minimize the tires becoming dislodged should they be heavily impacted.(TMS)(4-2-2015)

[mabarker1]

Welcome

[NCC-1701]

As for the National Anthem, I’d go with Missy Robertson. She has a great voice. Looks hot, too.

[mabarker1]

Bristol race renamed to honor Steve Byrnes: In recognition of FOX Sports broadcaster Steve Byrnes' courageous and ongoing battle with head-and-neck cancer, FOX Sports, in coordination with Bristol Motor Speedway, Speedway Motorsports Inc., Stand Up To Cancer and NASCAR, is naming the April 19 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race from Bristol the Food City 500 In Support Of Steve Byrnes And Stand Up To Cancer. The event, which will be aired live on FOX at 12:30pm/et, pays tribute to Byrnes, a NASCAR television mainstay for 30 years, while also serving as a vehicle of support and awareness for all those battling cancer. Byrnes, co-host of "NASCAR Race Hub" and play-by-play announcer for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, is on a medical leave of absence while he undergoes treatment. He has been part of the FOX NASCAR broadcast team since its inaugural year of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series coverage in 2001. "The support I have received from my teammates at FOX Sports, drivers, team members, track officials, NASCAR and the fans has been overwhelming," Byrnes said. "So many families are affected by cancer, and to play a small part in raising awareness is an honor to me."(FoxSports)(4-10-2015)

[nascarnation]

Jeff Gordon on the broadcast team tonight for Xfinity.

Wonder if he’ll mention his NYC neighbor Chelsea Hubbell-Mezvinsky?

[rabidralph]

Or better yet, his clock.

[mabarker1]

We got lucky- He didn't

Well this should be interesting...

Franklin County Speedway uses unique marketing plan to attract African-Americans

[mabarker1]

Texas Motor Speedway

(NASCAR Statistics)

How are pit stall's chosen? by qualifying results, the 1st choose their stall and so on.
If a car/driver has to go to the rear of the field before the start of the race due to driver change, backup car,
engine/transmission change, etc they do NOT lose their pit stall selection