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Racing Archives

“Ten Days of Speed” underway now at Charlotte Motor Speedway

By WSTP News Dept on May 17, 2013

 

Submitted by David Whisenant
Thursday, May 16th, 2013, 7:22pm
"Ten Days of Speed" underway now at Charlotte Motor Speedway

CONCORD – Every year, Charlotte Motor Speedway packs as much entertainment as possible into the 10 Greatest Days in Racing to give fans an experience that they’ll never forget. From the excitement on the track to pre-race concerts, the expansive Play Zone and a moving salute to our nation’s military, fans that come to Charlotte will be sure to create memories that will last a lifetime.

While you’re in town, be sure to check out these can’t-miss opportunities that you can only find at Charlotte Motor Speedway!

Fan Zone: Every trip to Charlotte Motor Speedway should start with a visit to the Fan Zone. Located at the speedway’s main entrance, the 10-acre Fan Zone is a one-stop shop for race souvenirs, interactive displays and so much more. Fans can visit the Sprint Experience for driver appearances, photos with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series trophy and an autograph from Miss Sprint Cup.

Trackside Tram Tour: Join in on the race day excitement with this up-close look at all the pre-race preparations on the Trackside Tram Tour. Fans will learn the history of Charlotte Motor Speedway while getting a look at all the behind-the-scenes action. The tour takes you on track, down pit road and in the garages, as well as a unique view of the world’s largest HDTV screen! Top off your with an opportunity to climb the 24 degree banking of the famous speedway! Seats are limited.

Josh Turner Concert: Country music singer, songwriter and two-time GRAMMY nominee, Josh Turner, will perform a pre-race concert presented by Lance® sandwich crackers on Saturday, May 18, before the green flag waves on the 29th annual NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Turner, one of the youngest members inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, is well known for hits like “Long Black Train,” “Time is Love” and “Why Don’t We Just Dance.” Admission to the 90-minute show is free with the purchase of a ticket to the All-Star Race, or fans can upgrade to stage-front access with the purchase of a Golden Ticket.

All-Star Race Driver Introductions: The NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race is all about creating a one-of-a-kind event for race fans, and the driver introductions are a perfect example. Fans who purchase a driver intro pass can get stage-front access as their favorite drivers step out under the lights for the ultimate All-Star showdown.

Unlike any other time during the year, the driver introductions also include team and crew members, who play a vital role in the All-Star event, which includes a mandatory four-tire pit stop before the final 10-lap sprint to the finish. During driver introductions, fans will also learn which driver won the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Fan Vote, earning the final spot in the field and a chance to race for up to $2 million.

Coca-Cola Family Track Walk and Trace Adkins Concert: Coca-Cola 600 ticket holders are invited to help Charlotte Motor Speedway kick off summer during the Coca-Cola Family Track Walk on Friday, May 24. Gates open at 2 p.m., and beginning at 2:45 p.m. fans will be invited to walk around the legendary 1.5-mile superspeedway in the same tire tracks where icons like Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty have written so much of NASCAR’s history. Following the track walk, fans can enjoy even more foot-stomping family fun with a concert by country megastar Trace Adkins, who will take the stage for a 90-minute performance.

Circle K NOS Energy Outlaw Showdown: The focus will shift from NASCAR racing to The Greatest Show on Dirt on May 24 as the stars of the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series battle it out at The Dirt Track at Charlotte for the Circle K NOS Energy Outlaw Showdown. The Circle K NOS Energy Outlaw Showdown will provide more entertainment than ever before, starting with a free autograph session at 4:45 p.m. on the main concourse featuring drivers like Tony Stewart Racing’s Steve Kinser and Donny Schatz and Kasey Kahne Racing’s Cody Darrah and Daryn Pittman. Fans will also be treated to two high-flying stunts that will leave them at the edge of their seats.

Legends All-Star Race: After NASCAR’s best set the field of the Coca-Cola 600 during LiftMaster Pole Day, fans will be treated to a fast and furious assault on the frontstretch quarter-mile oval as Legends Car drivers compete for the largest purse of the season in the first-ever Legends All-Star Race. The 40-lap, $2,500-to-win shootout promises promises to add excitement to an already action-packed day of racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Whisky River: Whisky River, one of Charlotte’s most popular night spots, now has a presence at The Greatest Place to See the Race. Grab a beverage, take a spin on the mechanical bull or enjoy a bevy of live entertainment, then head back to your seat and take in the race! It’s the best of both worlds, and it’s only at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

NASCAR Hall of Fame Pit Party: NASCAR stars Matt Kenseth and Kasey Kahne will join legends Bobby and Donnie Allison and team owner Joe Gibbs for appearances at a one-of-a-kind infield Pit Party sponsored by the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The Pit Party is a fan-friendly event taking place on pit road from 12:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. before the only 600-mile race on the NASCAR circuit, the Coca-Cola 600. Along with driver appearances, the party will feature live music from national recording artist Benton Blount, concessions, racing displays and more. Access to the Pit Party is included with the purchase of a pit pass or a driver introduction pass.

Coca-Cola 600 “Welcome Home Our Troops” Pre-Race Salute: Come early and join the celebration before the green flag flies on the 54th running of the Coca-Cola 600, as we salute the brave men and women on the U.S. Armed Forces. The Coca-Cola 600 “Welcome Home Our Troops” pre-race salute will include a number of patriotic tributes like an aerial parade featuring 10 vintage era war birds, a flyover featuring P-51 Mustangs owned by NASCAR team owner Jack Roush and the introduction of thousands of troops on hand to join us for the biggest Memorial Day tailgate party in the country!

Tickets are still available for all May race events at Charlotte Motor Speedway and can be purchased online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or by calling the speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267). Weekend ticket packages for either the Sprint All-Star Race or the Coca-Cola 600 start at just $99.

Keep up with all the latest news from the speedway by liking Charlotte Motor Speedway on Facebook at www.facebook.com/charlottemotorspeedway or following on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cltmotorspdwy.

Categories : News, Racing, Sports

Sprint All-Star Races at CMS

By Howard Platt on May 17, 2013

Activity picking up at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the weekend.  Friday it’s qualifying for the Sprint Showdown (5:15 PM) and the All-Star race (6:00 PM) and the Truck Series , the NC Education Lottery 200 starts at 8:00 PM.  Saturday the Sprint Cup Series Showdown starts at 7:30 PM.  The two top finishers from that race, and another that is voted in by the fans will be among the three extras allowed in the All-Star Race that will have a field of 22 cars.  The All-Star race will start at 9:00 PM Saturday.  That race will feature four twenty lap segments with a last sprint to the finish of ten laps.  Gates for spectators will open at 2:00 PM Saturday, with a concert by Josh Turner being featured at 3:15 PM.

Categories : NASCAR, Racing, Sports

Sheriff: NASCAR legend Dick Trickle calls 911, commits suicide in cemetery

By WSTP News Dept on May 16, 2013
Posted:
May 16, 2013 4:06 PM EDT

Updated:
May 16, 2013 7:55 PM EDT

 CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)  According to the sheriff’s office, Retired race car driver Richard “Dick” Trickle, 71, died Thursday from an apparent self inflicted gun shot wound.

Investigators say Trickle apparently went to the Forest Lawn Cemetery on Highway 150 East in Boger City around noon on Thursday.

He used his phone to call the Lincoln County Communications Center and told the 911 operator to come to the cemetery and “there would be a dead body and it would be his.”  He then hung up the phone.

Communications Center workers attempted to call Trickle back, but he did not answer.

When emergency crews arrived on the scene, they reportedly found Trickle’s body lying near his pickup truck.

WBTV has learned that Trickle’s granddaughter, Nicole Bowman, is buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery.

Bowman was 16-years-old when she was killed in a crash along Highway 73, east of Lincolnton, in August of 2001.

Dick Trickle was NASCAR legend who actually didn’t start with the organization until he was 48-years-old. He won the Winston Cup Series’ “Rookie of the Year” in 1989.

Trickle, a Wisconsin-native who achieved much success on short tracks outside of NASCAR, made his Cup debut in 1970 but didn’t race full time in the series until 19-years later.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Dick Trickle on his passing today,” said NASCAR Chairman & CEO Brian France. “Dick was a legend in the short-track racing community, particularly in his home state of Wisconsin, and he was a true fan favorite.”

“Personalities like Dick Trickle helped shape our sport. He will be missed,” France continued.

He was known as “The White Knight” and often referred to as the “winningest short track driver in history”  with more than 1,200 wins on short tracks all over the country.

His last Winston Cup start was in 2002.

He finished his Cup career with 303 starts, but no wins. Trickle had more than 150 starts in the Nationwide series, the last in 2001, where he won twice.

NASCAR Hall of Fame driver and ESPN analyst Rusty Wallace competed for years against Trickle on Midwest short tracks, in the American Speed Association (ASA), and then later in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series.

Courtesy: Charlotte Motor Speedway

 

 

“I’m in 100 percent shock. Dick Trickle was my mentor. When I was short track racing, I would call him every Monday morning and he would always help me with race setups and stuff,” Wallace said in a statement on Thursday afternoon.

“He and I had such a good time telling little stories, but he was the guy that taught me almost everything in the American Speed Association. And he was the guy that I battled right to the end for my 1983 ASA championship.”

“I barely beat the guy that taught me everything. I’d not seen Dick as much as I’d like to of late. He was a legend,” Wallace continued. ”

A man that’d won over a thousand short track races, was one of the most winning short trackers in America, was a role model to many short track racers coming up. Could just do magic with the race car and he taught me so much about racing. My success in the ASA and what Trickle taught me is what got me into NASCAR. That’s what got me hired by Cliff Stewart back in ’84. Between Larry Phillips and Dick Trickle, they taught me everything.”

Dick Trickle has lived in Lincoln County since the early 1990′s.

Copyright 2013 WBTV. All rights reserved.

Categories : News, Racing, Sports

Kenseth wins at Darlington

By Howard Platt on May 13, 2013

Matt Kenseth won his third race of the season at Darlington Saturday night, the fifth for the Joe Gibbs racing teams this season as well.  Kenseth outdistanced Kyle Busch, who was leading most of the race, to win as Busch had a tire go down after being passed and wound up sixth.  Points Leader Jimmie Johnson finished fourth and now has a 44 point lead over Carl Edwards and 59 over Kenseth in the points race.  Charlotte Motor Speedway hosts the next two Sprint Cup events, the All-Star this Saturday (9:00 PM) and then the Coca-Cola 600 the following Sunday, with a Nationwide race that Saturday the 25th.  Denny Hamlin returned to the track and wound up second and went the distance after being out due to an injury sustained about a month ago.

Categories : NASCAR, Racing, Sports

It’s Parker Points!…Too Tough To Tame Edition!

By WSTP News Dept on May 9, 2013

 

 
Submitted by Nick Needham on Thursday, May 9th, 10:34 am
 
It's Parker Points!...Too Tough To Tame Edition!

Photo: Parker’s driver, Matt Kenseth, will pilot the GameStop car in Darlington’s Nationwide race on Friday. The car will carry a special paint scheme promoting the video game Injustice: Gods Among Us. One of the game’s stars was insistent on posing with our own star at his last visit to GameStop’s corporate headquarters.

CONCORD, NC (WBTV) — What a week for Joe Gibbs Racing! Our own Adrian Parker, the business manager for Matt Kenseth, has the deets on the team’s reaction. And we should point out, always humble Adrian did, sort of, pick the winner for last week’s race. So what’s next? Who looks good for Darlington Adrain? And we must give a shout out to Richard Petty Motorsports and the #43 car, right AP?

Categories : Racing, Sports
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