SPEEDREADS SPEEDREADS
T E X A S M O T O R S P E E D WAY
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october 6, 2016
stressful times
Edwards talks about the stress of being in the Chase for the Sprint Cup PAGE 2
social presense
Chase drivers promoting Twitter handles on their windshields
SMOKE returns
Stewart to be at TMS Wednesday for annual “Smoke Show” PAGE 6
Carl Edwards celebrates winning the pole at April’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway
news from TMS
Video clip, quote, numbers and tweets from TMS PAGE 7
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SPEEDREADS
LEAD LAP
TOP NEWS FROM TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
CHASE FORMAT PROVIDES STRESS TEST FOR EDWARDS, CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENDERS Excuse Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup championship contender Carl Edwards if he can’t get the twenty one pilots song, “Stressed Out,” out of his head. It’s not that the Joe Gibbs Racing driver is particularly a huge fan of the band or the song, but that has been his state of mind since the tense, elimination-style, playoff format to determine the Sprint Cup champion got underway three weeks ago at Chicagoland. “This Chase format is really stressful for the drivers and crews,” said Edwards, who was in
the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex on Wednesday to promote the AAA Texas 500 Chase race on Sunday, Nov. 6, at Texas Motor Speedway. “It’s three races in a round and anyone who knows anything about racing knows one flat tire, one bad race can take you out and that can ruin your whole season so each one of these events you’re on pins and needles. It’s just really stressful.” Edwards (No. 19 ARRIS Toyota) successfully advanced from the Round of 16 to the Round of 12 with a 14th-place finish at Dover last weekend to finish ninth among the 12 that moved on to the second of four playoff rounds.
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SPEEDREADS All four JGR drivers – defending series champ Kyle Busch, Matt Kenseth and Denny Hamlin along with Edwards – advanced to the Round of 12 that begins with Saturday night’s Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Also, Furniture Row Racing driver Martin Truex Jr., who has a technical alliance with JGR, won two of the three races in the opening Chase round to suddenly emerge as a favorite. “Right now NASCAR is as competitive as it’s ever been,” Edwards said. “We started with 16 guys in the first three rounds (races) of the Chase and the 19 team made it to the second round. They get rid of four guys (from championship contention) and you think it can’t be that hard to make it to the second round, but it is something. Right now everyone is really competitive, really aggressive so we’re proud to be going to the Round of 12.
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can do that at the mile-and-half tracks at Charlotte and Kansas will bode well for our Texas hopes.” If Edwards can navigate past the Round of 12, the AAA Texas 500 on Sunday, Nov. 6, at Texas Motor Speedway plays a critical role in remaining a championship contender. The AAA Texas 500 is the second of three races in the Round of 8, where a win by a Chase driver in that round automatically advances them to the Championship 4 and a shot at the crown Sunday, Nov. 20, at Homestead-Miami Speedway. “When you’re in the Chase and you come to Texas, you’re just laser focused,” he said. “Everything matters – qualifying, every lap, every pit stop. You’ve got to make it to that final round in this format. If you have one bad race with the
“Joe Gibbs Racing is fast and Martin Truex is really fast. If we didn’t have the same equipment as Martin Truex we’d be really concerned, but having him out there and doing what he is doing it’s motivating to us. We know we can step it up – we have great engines, great cars, great drivers and I have great teammates so hopefully we can put something together.” The Round of 12 three-race segment consists of Charlotte, Kansas Speedway on Oct. 16 and Edwards finished ninth in the opening Round of 16 for the Chase to culminates Oct. 23 with the uncer- advance to the Round of 12 that begins this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. tainty of restrictor-plate racing at Talladega Superspeedway. Edwards is hopeful of getting off to a good start with way the competition is, it is not going to work out back-to-back races at 1.5-mile ovals where for you.” he traditionally excels. Edwards has enjoyed success at Texas Motor “So we got to have some good runs at Charlotte Speedway, ranking second in career Cup wins (3) coming up here and at Kansas because at Tallaand becoming the first driver to sweep both Cup dega anything can happen,” Edwards said. “You races at the venue in the same season. While don’t want to be forced into a situation where you his three wins came during his tenure with Roush have to win at Talladega, so we have to have Fenway Racing, he has reeled off three consecusome good runs the next two weeks and if we tive top-10 finishes at Texas Motor Speedway as Te x a s M o t o r S p e e d w a y | O c t o b e r 6 , 2 0 1 6 | A A A Te x a s 5 0 0
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SPEEDREADS miles an hour and slide sideways over a couple of bumps, that’s fun. So this surface is great. If I know Eddie and everybody well enough, they are not going to mess this surface up. I look forward to a lot more racing here at Texas with a really fun surface.”
Edwards is one of the most successful drivers at Texas Motor Speedway, with his three career Sprint Cup wins ranking second to only Jimmie Johnson with six.
a member of JGR beginning in 2015. In his most recent visit at April’s Duck Commander 500, he won the pole position and led 124 laps en route to a seventh-place finish. “I really like Texas – run really well here, won races, won the pole – and this race track is a lot like the final race of the season, the championship race at Homestead,” Edwards said. “The car moves around a lot, you really have to drive it so hopefully we can put something together and get another victory at Texas. There’s nothing like winning at Texas. I mean (Texas Motor Speedway President) Eddie Gossage and everybody makes it so much fun with the six shooters in Victory Lane, the toast up in the champion’s club. It’s a cool place to win.” The aging of the high-banked, 1.5-mile oval has endured some drying issues as a result of heavy rains this year, but Edwards doesn’t want to hear any talk of repaving in the future since the surface leads to such great racing. “Man, I will be laying down in front of the bulldozer if they grind this place up,” Edwards said. “This surface is so much fun. We race these cars to the very minute degree of every single angle, everything is so precise so to come to a race track like Texas where you drive down into the corner 200
The Joe Gibbs Racing contingent came into the Chase as the favorites for the Sprint Cup title, having combined to win 11 of the 36 races during the regular season. Edwards owns two of those wins – Bristol and Richmond in the spring – that upped his career victory total to 27. He still is in pursuit of his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship.
“I’ve been close to the championship three times – 2005, 2008 and 2011 – and each time it was more important and more special so I want to win this championship more than anything,” Edwards said. “This is what I get up every morning to do and hopefully we can get it done.” While on his visit Wednesday, Edwards also made a stop at the future North American headquarters for Toyota in west Plano. The construction continues on the $300 million, 100-acre campus that is scheduled to be completed by the first quarter of 2017. “The new Toyota headquarters, that’s spectacular,” said Edwards, who also visited with employees at their temporary offices at the Legacy Business Park in Plano. “I got a neat tour around there. It is amazing. You can see for miles around. You can see all the cranes up. It’s neat to talk to the people at Toyota. They are so excited to bring thousands of team members here. Ed Laukes (Vice President – Marketing and Media, Incentives & Motorsports) was telling me that people were coming into his office literally crying and thanking him for coming to Texas and so excited to be here. I told him if I didn’t live in Missouri, I’d live in Texas. I love it here, too.”
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SPEEDREADS
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Twitter Handles to Replace Driver Names On Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Car Windshields NASCAR drivers still in contention for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup will display their personal Twitter handles on their respective car windshields during each race in The Chase. The Twitter handles adorn the windshield headers normally reserved for driver last names. The activation is part of an aggressive push by NASCAR to use Twitter, and other social media platforms, to elevate The Chase experience for fans during the sport’s most social postseason ever. NASCAR has also unveiled a new, racing-themed Twitter emoji, which has helped bring #TheChase tweets to life throughout the 10-week postseason. “Twitter brings the passion and excitement of NASCAR to millions of our fans every single day in very unique and innovative ways,” said NASCAR Managing Director, Social Media, Scott Warfield. “This platform is helping us make the overall social experience that much richer and more memorable for our fans and followers.” During The Chase, NASCAR is curating Twitter Moments and sharing Vines and live video via Periscope all capturing the spirit, excitement and behind-the-scenes of this year’s Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. After each round of The Chase, NASCAR will tweet action-packed digital films that feature NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers reenacting the on-track highlights and storylines. Twitter handles displayed on Chase driver cars of the drivers still involved include the following: Chase Driver Kyle Busch Brad Keselowski Denny Hamlin Kevin Harvick Carl Edwards Martin Truex Jr. Matt Kenseth Jimmie Johnson Joey Logano Kurt Busch Chase Elliott Austin Dillon
Car No. 18 Toyota Camry No. 2 Ford Fusion No. 11 Toyota Camry No. 4 Chevrolet SS No. 19 Toyota Camry No. 78 Toyota Camry No. 20 Toyota Camry No. 48 Chevrolet SS No. 22 Ford Fusion No. 41 Chevrolet SS No. 24 Chevrolet SS No. 3 Chevrolet SS
Twitter @KyleBusch @keselowski @dennyhamlin @KevinHarvick #CarlEdwards @MartinTruex_Jr @mattkenseth @JimmieJohnson @joeylogano @KurtBusch @chaseelliott @austidillon3
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SPEEDREADS
UP IN SMOKE Three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart will make his final start at Texas Motor Speedway for the Nov. 6 AAA Texas 500 as he winds down his final season as a driver in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Take a look at the successful yet sometimes controversial career of Stewart, which includes two wins, two poles and a pair of track records at Texas Motor Speedway. He also has raised more than $1.5 million for Speedway Children’s Charities-Texas Chapter through his annual “Smoke Show” fantasy camp. Stewart will play host to the camp once again on Wednesday and will have media availability scheduled for 4 p.m. in the TMS Media Center. Given Stewart’s reluctance to publicize his final season, it will be one of the rare times that he will be available exclusively, especially primarily to the DFW media contingent. Stewart will be on hand in the infield media center to discuss his illustrious career, future as co-owner of championship-winning Stewart-Haas Racing and owner of Eldora Speedway, and putting on the most successful, single-day fundraising event for SCC annually.
TMS RACE WEEK BLOG Veteran motorsports reporter John Sturbin will be providing comprehensive coverage of the upcoming AAA Texas 500 NASCAR tripleheader weekend with stories and a live blog on www.texasmotorspeedway. com. Sturbin will provide race and qualifying stories from all three NASCAR national series as well as breaking news and various items of interest in the “Trending Now” blog on the landing page of the website that will go live on Thursday of race week.
RACEDAY U. returns for AAA Texas 500 RaceDay University with Coca-Cola, a staple for NASCAR race weekends at Texas Motor Speedway and one of the most popular ticket packages, returns on Sunday, Nov. 6, prior to the AAA Texas 500. Three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart headlines the program that also includes Roush Fenway Racing legendary owner Jack Roush, Sprint Cup stars Kyle Larson and Ryan Newman along with TJ Majors, spotter for Dale Earnhardt Jr. The $199 package includes Q&A sessions with all the guests; frontstretch grandstand seating; pre-race passes for the Loud and Proud Pre-Race Show presented by American Ehtanol featuring Jake Owen and driver introductions; hospitality food and Coca-Cola beverages; and a special souvenir gift bag. The event will be hosted by 1310 AM The Ticket’s Norm Hitzges. To purchase the RaceDay University with Coca-Cola package or for additional information, contact the Texas Motor Speedway ticket office at 817.215.8500 or visit www.texasmotorspeedway.com.
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FINAL PIT STOP
SPEEDREADS
VIDEO SOUND BITES, SOCIAL MEDIA SNAPSHOT
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LIL’ HOSS TV
Carl Edwards talks about his love of Texas Motor Speedway. Click on photo to watch video.
quotes, number and social gathering “I feel like the tracks like Texas that are abrasive and bumpy fit my style, our team’s style. This track has more content in it. I think the asphalt is on the older side of really anywhere we run. That really suits us well and fits for us.” - Four-Time Defending AAA Texas 500 Champion Jimmie Johnson
Number of commemorative Tony Stewart bobbleheads that will be distributed to fans on raceday prior to the AAA Texas 500. The bobblehead, presented by State Waterheaters and created by Colleyville’s TAT Company, features Stewart hoisting a checkered flag inside Texas Motor Speedway. The bobblehead is part of “Tony Stewart’s Last Ride at Texas Motor Speedway” weekend, where the speedway and Stewart fans will salute him as he makes his final NASCAR Sprint Cup start at Texas Motor Speedway.
30,000
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SPEEDREADS
PUBLIC SCHEDULE
AAA TEXAS 500 WEEKEND EVENTS
SATURDAY, October 29 8a
VIP & Outside Campgrounds open
TUESDAY, November 1 9a-5p
Texas Motor Speedway Credential Office Hours
WednesDAY, november 2 9a-5p 10a 10a
Texas Motor Speedway Credential Office Hours Reserved Infield Camping Opens (South Tunnel) Burnout Alley Load In
ThursDAY, november 3
9a-5p Texas Motor Speedway Credentials Office Hours 10:00a NCWTS Haulers Enter 11:00a-5p NCWTS Registration Open 11:30a-6:30p NCWTS Garage Open 2:15p Gate 4 Open 2:30p-3:25p NCWTS Practice 3:30p NXS Haulers Enter 4:30p-5:25p NCWTS Final Practice 6:00p NSCS Haulers Enter
FRIDAY, november 4
8a-7p NSCS Registration Open 8:30a-7:30p NSCS Garage Open 9a-7:30p Texas Motor Speedway Credential Office Hours 10:00a-7p NXS Registration Open 10:30a-9p NXS Garage Open 10:30a NCWTS Garage & Registration Open 11:00a Gate 4 Open 11a-1:30p NSCS “HOT PASS” IN EFFECT 11:30a-12:55p NSCS Practice 1:30p-2:25p NXS Practice 2p Gates 2, 3, 5 & 6 Open for Luxury Suites and Victory Lane Club Only 2:45p NCWTS Qualifying 4p-5:25p NXS Final Practice 5:15p-7:30p NSCS “HOT PASS” IN EFFECT 5:45p NSCS Qualifying 7:00p NCWTS Registration Closes 7:30p NCWTS Longhorn 350 (147 Laps, 220.5 Miles)
SATURDAY, November 5 7:30a 7:30a 8a-2p 9a
NXS Garage & Registration Open NSCS Garage & Registration Open Texas Motor Speedway Credential Office Hours Gates 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 Open for Luxury Suites and Victory Lane Club Only 9a-11a NSCS “HOT PASS” IN EFFECT 9:30a-10:25a NSCS Practice 10:45a NSCS Qualifying 12p-2p NSCS “HOT PASS” IN EFFECT 12:30p-1:20p NSCS Final Practice 2:00p NXS O’Reilly Auto Parts Challenge (200 Laps, 300 Miles) 2:30p NXS & NSCS Registration Closes 4:00p NSCS Garage Closes
SUNDAY, November 6 7a 8a-1p 9a 9a 11a
NSCS Garage & Registration Open Texas Motor Speedway Credential Office Hours Gates 2-8 Open Luxury Suites and Victory Lane Club Open Loud & Proud Pre-Race Show Fueled by American Ehtanol Concert featuring Jake Owen 12p-7p NSCS “HOT PASS” IN EFFECT 1p NSCS AAA Texas 500 (334 Laps, 501 Miles) 1:30p NSCS Registration Closes 30 min Portacool Post-Race Show featuring post race Jason Boland & The Stragglers
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