Peter Frampton to perform pre-race concert at Texas: Peter Frampton, a Grammy Award-winning artist and one of rock-n-roll’s legendary guitarists, will be the headliner of the pre-race show for the Samsung Mobile 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race Sunday, April 18, at Texas Motor Speedway. Frampton will take to the stage on the frontstretch at 12:30 pm/ct and perform an hour concert that will highlight the three-hour pre-race show. The concert will lead into the running of the Samsung Mobile 500, which will start at 2:00pm/ct. Frampton, known for his innovative guitar skills and trademark “talk box” guitar sound, has been entertaining fans across the world for nearly a half century. His most recognizable album, “Frampton Comes Alive!” shattered records in 1976 as it sold over 16 million albums worldwide to make it the highest-selling live album at the time.
Fans can get close to the legendary rocker’s performance by purchasing a special $79 “mosh pit” ticket that allows fans exclusive access stage-side for all the pre-race festivities leading up the Samsung Mobile 500, including the concert and driver introductions. A Samsung Mobile 500 grandstand ticket must be accompanied with a “mosh pit” ticket. To purchase a “mosh pit” ticket or tickets to the Samsung Mobile 500, visit www.texasmotorspeedway.com or call the Texas Motor Speedway ticket office at (817) 215-8500.(TMS)(3-14-2009)

AAA to sponsor Texas fall race: AAA Texas will serve as the title sponsor of the fall NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway through 2014 as part of one of the most comprehensive race entitlement packages in the sport. The five-year agreement between AAA Texas and Texas Motor Speedway will showcase the title sponsorship of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, the eighth event in the prestigious 10-race Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, and also feature official and exclusive status as well as unique branding opportunities at the world-class motorsports facility. The centerpiece of the deal, formerly known as the Dickies 500, will be re-titled the AAA Texas 500 and makes its debut under the new name on Sunday, Nov. 7. The AAA Texas 500 will headline that NASCAR triple-header weekend at Texas Motor Speedway and this year’s race will mark the sixth running of the Sprint Cup Series event that debuted in 2005. AAA members will enjoy special benefits at Texas Motor Speedway events, including special offers on event tickets and “AAA Fast Lanes,” special spectator entrances where fans with AAA membership cards can avoid the lines at the entry gates with exclusive access to express lines into the facility. Also, AAA will provide shuttle buses and trams to help fans more easily move around the massive Texas Motor Speedway during major event weekends. In addition to the race entitlement, AAA Texas will be the Official Auto Club and Insurance Company of Texas Motor Speedway. No financial terms of the five-year agreement were disclosed.
Individual tickets for the AAA Texas 500 will go on sale Wednesday, April 28, and will be available by calling (817) 215-8500 or by visiting www.texasmotorspeedway.com. Information about AAA at www.AAA.com.(TMS)(3-1-2010)

Texas race times pushed back two hours: Texas Motor Speedway received approval from NASCAR to move the start times of its two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races for the upcoming season to be consistent with the Western Region start times. The Samsung Mobile 500 on April 18 and the Lone Star 500 on Nov. 7 will now have 2:00 pm Central Time starts, moving both races ahead two hours from their originally announced 12 noon CT times. The move was a result of Texas Motor Speedway petitioning NASCAR on behalf of its fans requesting a later start time as well as potential logistical issues posed by the earlier start. “On behalf of our fans, we greatly appreciate NASCAR, along with television broadcast partners FOX (Samsung Mobile 500) and ESPN (Lone Star 500), hearing their collective voice and making the time changes to better suit their wishes and needs,” Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage said. “NASCAR has made it clear that they are going to a ‘back to basics’ approach, and accommodating their promoters on behalf of their fans as well as avoid some potential logistical issues defines that new approach.”
The time change for both races will complement NASCAR’s move to uniform start times for all its races this season. NASCAR is just shifting Texas Motor Speedway from an “Eastern/Central Region” designation to a “Western Region” one, where it joins Infineon Raceway (California), Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Nevada), Auto Club Speedway (California) and Phoenix International Raceway (Arizona) for standardized 3:00pm/et (2:00pm/ct) starts. The remaining Sprint Cup races in the “Eastern/Central Region” (with the exception of night races) will begin at 1:00pm/et (12Noon/ct). Tickets for the Samsung Mobile 500 and Lone Star 500 race weekends are available by calling (817) 215-8500 or visiting www.texasmotorspeedway.com.(TMS)(2-4-2010)

Gossage Dons University Of Alabama Hat While Raising Talladega Flag At TMS: Less than 12 hours after the University of Texas’ 37-21 loss to the University of Alabama in the BCS National Championship Game, Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage was feeling the sting of the defeat once again. Despite freezing temperatures in the teens and high winds, Gossage settled his bet with Talladega Superspeedway President Rick Humphrey on Friday morning as he personally raised the Alabama speedway’s flag in front of the Texas Motor Speedway administration building. Gossage, donning a University of Alabama ball cap, was hoisted up on a scissor lift to the top of the 25-foot flag pole, where he hung the Talladega Superspeedway flag alongside the flags of the United States, state of Texas and Texas Motor Speedway. As part of the bet, the Talladega flag will fly throughout the weekend. Gossage also had a small, wooden University of Alabama gnome on hand to serve as a stand-in for Humphrey, who was not in attendance for the “ceremony.”
In keeping with the tradition of state versus state bets and offering up a special fare from the loser’s locale, Gossage also will be sending Humphrey and his staff Sonny Bryan’s Smokehouse beef brisket next week to celebrate the victory. “I’m very excited to know that the Talladega Superspeedway flag is flying over Texas Motor Speedway,” Humphrey said. “But more importantly, I’m excited for the University of Alabama and the pride that a national championship brings to our state. I love Talladega Speedway and I love the Alabama Crimson Tide. Today is a great day for both of us.” See images and a video at the texasmotorspeedway.com website. Tickets can be purchased for TMS races online at www.texasmotorspeedway.com or by calling (817) 215-8500 and for Talladega visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 1-877-Go2-DEGA.(TMS/TSS)(1-8-2010)

University of Alabama vs. University of Texas Has Trackside Implications: A friendly wager between Talladega Superspeedway President Rick Humphrey and Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage hinges on the outcome of the BCS Championship Game between the University of Alabama Crimson Tide and the University of Texas Longhorns [Thursday, Jan. 7th on ABC at 8:00pm/et]. Up for grabs? A weekend’s worth of bragging rights as the winning track’s flag flies over the loser’s track and a tasty meal for the victorious track. (Talladega is supplying Dreamland Ribs in the unlikely event of a Longhorns victory, while Texas is offering a shipment of Sonny Bryan’s Smokehouse beef brisket). The loser not only will have to swallow his pride but also proudly fly the flag of the winning speedway on their property beginning Friday morning and throughout the weekend. The losing track president also will have to don a golf shirt and hat of the winning team.
“I look forward to seeing photos of the Talladega Superspeedway flag flying over Texas Motor Speedway after the Tide rolls over the Longhorns,” said Humphrey. “I may even have to call Eddie on Friday morning and play the ‘Bama fight song for him as he hoists our flag wearing an Alabama shirt and hat. Our staff is looking forward to dining on some delicious Texas beef for lunch next week while we revel in another national championship for the University of Alabama. This has all the makings of a very good week.”
“I’m always up for a good bet,” Gossage said. “I think Rick will look great in burnt orange and the Texas Motor Speedway flag will look great flying over Talladega Superspeedway. As his former boss, I think he owes me a good meal and those Dreamland ribs will be perfect.”(Talladega SuperSpeedway PR / Texas Motor Speedway PR)(1-7-2010)

Special Pre-Sale Event for Texas Tickets: In a year where Texas Motor Speedway has offered its lowest ticket price ever for a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race with the $20 “Backstretch Buster” seats, sold $1 seats in a special promotion for the June IndyCar Series race and unveiled a special two for $99 Dickies 500 frontstretch ticket package, “The Great American Speedway!” is extending a thank you Sunday to all its fans attending the Dickies 500. Dickies 500 fans received a “thank you” flier that also will give them the exclusive opportunity to purchase tickets – and secure the best available seats – to next year’s Samsung Mobile 500 through a special online pre-sale code on the flier. In addition, fans that purchase a Samsung Mobile 500 ticket during the pre-sale period of Monday and Tuesday will receive a free ticket to The Dallas Morning News Qualifying Day for the Sprint Cup Series and Rattlesnake 150 ARCA RE/MAX Series race, both of which will be held Friday, April 16. The Samsung Mobile 500 is scheduled for Sunday, April 18. Tickets for the Samsung Mobile 500 – as well as the O’Reilly 300 Nationwide Series race Saturday, April 17 – will go on sale to the public Wednesday, following the close of the two-day, pre-sale period. For additional information, contact the TMS ticket office at (817) 215-8500 or visit www.texasmotorspeedway.com.(TMS)(11-9-2009)

Cancer in remission for TMS president: During NASCAR race weekend in April, Texas Motor Speedway president Eddie Gossage gathered a small handful of friends in his office overlooking Turn 1 to share some news. Usually when Gossage has something to say, drum rolls and neon lights aren't enough. But this time, the master promoter was void of fanfare. He was understated and to the point. "He told us he had cancer," said Kyle Petty, a longtime close friend of Gossage. "It was four or five guys sitting in that office and we're a lively bunch when we're together. We were quiet. It was hard to take. Honestly, I was shocked, crushed and devastated. I think when anybody tells you that they've been diagnosed with cancer, your mind goes to the worst place." Gossage knew he'd need his friends if he was to get through a difficult year of hospital visits and chemotherapy. He wasn't sure what to expect, only that doctors caught the cancer early enough to treat it aggressively. Now, seven months later, Gossage is doing what he's done since the track opened in 1997: Trying to sell as many tickets as he can for a NASCAR race in Texas. Prior to Sunday's Dickies 500, he'll take pride in stepping on a makeshift frontstretch stage to welcome fans and drivers at prerace introductions. "The cancer is now in remission," said Gossage, who still won't disclose what type of cancer he had. "I'm just thankful to all my friends. They really helped me get through it. I've never been through anything like that in my life." At the time he told his buddies, Gossage and his wife, Melinda, had decided to keep the news private. Only a few folks in the TMS management group were even aware at the time of Gossage's condition. Gossage returned to work around Labor Day and is back to a normal schedule. He's lost 30 pounds and doesn't want to gain them back. The beard has returned, with more gray than before. And Gossage has what looks like a buzz cut. He has several Texas Motor Speedway hats that he wears in public.(in part from ESPN.com, see full article there)(11-7-2009)

Take the bus at Texas: Fans can put away their keys and leave the driving to us as Texas Motor Speedway is once again offering special bus trips from seven local and regional locations for the Nov. 8 Dickies 500. TMS has partnered with local and regional media outlets to provide bus trips departing from Dallas/Fort Worth, Oklahoma City, Tyler/Longview, Ennis, Weatherford, Hillsboro and Ardmore, Okla. Each bus trip consists of round-trip motorcoach transportation to Texas Motor Speedway, VIP pit tour, complimentary food and beverage, and a frontstretch ticket for $159. Media partners 98.7 KLUV(DFW), The Oklahoman & wimgo.com (Oklahoma City), 105.7 KYKX (Tyler/Longview), 106.9 KRVF (Ennis), 95.9 KFWR (Weatherford), 92.1 KTFW (Hillsboro) and 95.7 KKAJ, 92.7 KTRX, 107.1 KYNZ and 1240 KVSO (Ardmore, Okla.) will facilitate the bus trips from each location. For more information about departures from each respective location, visit the media partners’ websites or contact the TMS ticket office at (817) 215-8500.(11-6-2009)

Tickets available for Texas: Texas Motor Speedway has spared no expense to ensure that its loyal fans can make it to the Dickies 500 NASCAR triple-header weekend. For the November race weekend, the entertainment dollar has been stretched as TMS has offered reduced backstretch prices with the "Backstretch Buster" seats, located along the first two rows of the backstretch, going for just $20 and the additional backstretch seating just $40. There also is the Dickies 500 Weekend 4-Pack, which offers frontstretch tickets for all four days of action including the Dickies 500, O'Reilly Challenge Nationwide Series race and WinStar World Casino 350k Camping World Truck Series race to go along with tickets for qualifying and practice sessions for all three series starting at just $133. See how cost-conscious fans looking to stretch their entertainment dollar have taken advantage of the number of ticket specials Texas Motor Speedway has offered up to combat the economic times. More info about tickets at texasmotorspeedway.com.(TMS)(11-6-2009)

Space Shuttle pilot to be honored at TMS: USMC Lt. Col. Doug Hurley, who piloted the space shuttle Endeavor this summer and a Texas Motor Speedway season ticket-holder, will be honored during the Dickies 500 pre-race ceremonies as well as making a unique presentation to TMS President Eddie Gossage, two-time Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart, Sprint Cup Series team owner Joe Gibbs and Joe Gibbs Racing crew chief Greg Zipadelli. TMS will hold a press conference immediately following the Sprint Cup drivers meeting for the presentation as well as the announcement from Gossage on how Hurley will be honored. Gossage is keeping the arrival a surprise to the Texas Motor Speedway fans and will only hint that some type of aircraft will be involved. Hurley, a United States Marines Corps colonel who has been a Texas Motor Speedway season ticketholder since 2005, has been briefed on the plan and is looking forward to participating in the American Racing Custom Wheels Pre-Race Show leading up to the Dickies 500. Hurley will be part of the American Racing Custom Wheels Pre-Race Show that begins at 12:00pm/ct and features a one-hour concert by ZZ Top beginning at 12:30pm. Fans can purchase an American Racing Custom Wheels Pre-Race Show “Mosh Pit” ticket for $79 that allows them to watch the concert and Sprint Cup Series driver introductions directly in front of the stage. The “Mosh Pit” ticket must be accompanied by a Dickies 500 race ticket and can not be used separately. Frontstretch tickets remain for the Dickies 500 and are available by calling (817) 215-8500 or by visiting www.texasmotorspeedway.com.(TMS)(11-5-2009)

ZZ Top Trio To Serve As Grand Marshals For Dickies 500: The group known as the “Little Ol’ Band from Texas,” the legendary rock band ZZ Top, will serve as grand marshals for the Dickies 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. The trio of Billy F Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard will give the command to the 43 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers to start their engines prior to the start of the Dickies 500. The group, celebrating its year-long 40th anniversary, will headline the American Racing Custom Wheels Pre-Race Show with a free concert at the Nov. 8 Dickies 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. ZZ Top will be the featured act during the 2˝ -hour pre-race show that also will include the RE/MAX Skydiving team, Texas Christian University Marching Band, U.S. Army Reserve Command, 11th Aviation Command and the 7-158th Aviations Regiment. The American Racing Custom Wheels Pre-Race Show, which begins at 11:45am/ct, will have ZZ Top take the stage on the speedway’s frontstretch beginning at 12:30pm for a one-hour set. ABC-TV, which will broadcast the Dickies 500, is scheduled to air ZZ Top performing one of their hits from the American Racing Custom Wheels Pre-Race Show during the network’s pre-race show leading up to the Dickies 500. The concert is free to all fans with a race ticket. Race fans can get up close and personal with the band next to the frontstretch stage by purchasing a special “Mosh Pit” ticket. For $79, fans can enjoy a front row spot as well as enjoy the rest of the prerace activities, including driver introductions, from that vantage point. To purchase a special “Mosh Pit” ticket or tickets to the Dickies 500 call (817) 215-8500 or visit www.texasmotorspeedway.com.(TMS)(10-31-2009)

Backstretch Buster seats sold out at Texas: Fans have responded once again to the popular “Backstretch Buster” tickets as the $20 seats have sold out for the Dickies 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Nov. 8 at Texas Motor Speedway. The $20 seats, located along the first two rows of the backstretch, are the most inexpensive ticket ever offered at Texas Motor Speedway for a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, and the special was implemented this year in an effort to offset the challenges of the difficult economic climate. The “Backstretch Buster” special debuted with the Samsung 500 Sprint Cup Series race in April and promptly sold out as well. Fans that missed out on the “Backstretch Buster” seats for the Dickies 500 can still take advantage of other fan friendly deals. On the backstretch, rows three and higher are priced at $40 per seat and the popular 7-Eleven Family 4-Pack offers four tickets, four hot dogs and four Coca-Cola beverages for just $159. For those looking for a deal on the frontstretch, the limited Dickies 4-Packs remain available. Starting at $133, the Dickies 4-Pack provides a ticket to all four days of action (Nov. 5-8) including the Dickies 500, O’Reilly Challenge Nationwide Series race and WinStar World Casino 350k Camping World Truck Series event. The 4-Pack also includes qualifying and practice sessions for all three series as well. For more ticket information, visit www.texasmotorspeedway.com or call the Texas Motor Speedway ticket office at (817) 215-8500.(TMS)(10-28-2009)

Texas Motor Speedway expects 400,000; Dickie's leaving?: Eddie Gossage, president of Texas Motor Speedway, said he expects attendance and revenue for the Nov. 8 Dickies 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup race to remain about flat with last year’s numbers. He expects 175,000 to 185,000 in attendance for the Sunday race, and about 400,000 for the entire weekend. “If people are getting worked up about 105,000 at a Cowboys game, we call that a bad day on Saturday,” Gossage said in a recent interview with the Dallas Business Journal. About 240 of the track’s 15,000 Backstretch Buster seats, which sell for $20 and $40, remain available. The venue’s high-dollar RV parking spaces are sold out. “We’re having a hard time with the corporate clients who a year ago bought 500 tickets and this year bought 200,” Gossage said. “I think that’s settling down some.” Already looking to next year, Gossage said he is in talks with sponsors willing to take the place of Dickies, which has not renewed its sponsorship of the Sprint Cup race for 2010.(Dallas Business Journal)(10-27-2009)

Limited number of backstretch seats still available at Texas: Fans still can take advantage of the best ticket price ever offered by Texas Motor Speedway by purchasing "Backstretch Buster" seats for the Nov. 8 Dickies 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, but less than 250 remain. The "Backstretch Buster" seats, located along the first two rows of the backstretch, remain the most inexpensive seats for a Sprint Cup race in the history of Texas Motor Speedway. The "Backstretch Buster" seating was introduced for April's Samsung 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup race and promptly sold out. In addition to the "Backstretch Buster" seats, fans also can take advantage of two other backstretch ticket specials for the Dickies 500. All other seating above the first two rows is available for $40 per seat or fans can opt for the value-packed 7-Eleven Family 4-Pack. The package consists of four backstretch tickets, four hot dogs and four Coca-Cola drinks for just $159. To purchase "Backstretch Buster" seats or take advantage of the other backstretch ticket specials, visit www.texasmotorspeedway.com or call the Texas Motor Speedway ticket office at (817) 215-8500.(TMS PR)(9-27-2009)

TMS's Gossage: Cancer in remission: Texas Motor Speedway president Eddie Gossage says his cancer is in "complete remission" and that he's feeling better than ever. Gossage hasn't disclosed the type of cancer he has, which was diagnosed last fall. A showman known for his enthusiasm and promotional stunts, Gossage took a leave of absence in June after the IndyCar Series race at the track. He returned to work in August and made his first public appearance Thursday to promote the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup and the track's next race Nov. 8. The 50-year-old Gossage was smiling and at ease, and wore a Sprint Cup cap on his mostly bald head that resulted from chemotherapy.(Associated Press)(9-17-2009)

Samsung Mobile Extends Title Sponsorship With TMS: Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) 1, the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the United States2, and Texas Motor Speedway officials jointly announced that Samsung Mobile has signed a multi-year contract extension to continue as title sponsor of the annual spring NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at the world-class motorsports venue in Fort Worth, TX. The announcement will extend an eight-year title sponsorship relationship between Samsung Mobile and Texas Motor Speedway that began in 2002. Samsung Mobile collaborated with RadioShack and served as a co-title sponsor for the first five years before taking sole ownership in 2007 of a race that is annually ranked as the largest-attended, single-day sporting event in Texas. No financial terms or specific length of the contract were disclosed in the announcement made by Samsung Telecommunications America Vice President of Marketing Bobby Billman and Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage during the speedway’s “Cut to the Chase” media luncheon at the Cadillac Ranch in Irving. In conjunction with the contract extension announcement, Samsung Mobile also unveiled a new logo and race name for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event beginning next year. The race was known as the Samsung 500 for the past three years, but will now become the Samsung Mobile 500 and be accompanied by a brand-new logo. Season tickets are currently on sale while individual tickets for the 2010 Samsung Mobile 500 race week will go on sale beginning Wednesday, Nov. 11. For more ticket information, call (817) 215-8500 or visit texasmotorspeedway.com.(TMS)(9-17-2009)

Texas and Phoenix swap Spring race dates:Texas Motor Speedway will have a slight shift in its 2010 NASCAR schedule as the Samsung 500 race week will be run April 15-18, moving the Sprint Cup Series race from the seventh to the eighth event of the season as a result of a date swap with Phoenix International Raceway.TMS officials agreed to the move to accommodate NASCAR and network television partner, FOX, because the Samsung 500 on its traditional April date would have been pitted directly against the final round of the The Masters on television. Phoenix transitions into that slot without a conflict since it will play host to a Saturday evening race.(Texas Motor Speedway PR)(8-27-2009)

TMS president Eddie Gossage fighting cancer: Texas Motor Speedway president Eddie Gossage has been absent from TMS because he has been undergoing treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer. Gossage, 50, was diagnosed with cancer early last fall and began treatment this spring. Gossage, who oversaw the construction of the track and was the general manager for its first race in 1997, declined to be interviewed. A statement from TMS vice president of media relations Mike Zizzo said Gossage "would like to keep his illness private and does not plan to discuss it publicly." Gossage was informed by doctors in February that treatment needed to begin, and it was done around the Samsung 500 in April and the Bombardier Learjet 550 in June. He was at the track for the IndyCar Series race in June and looked thinner than he did at the Sprint Cup event in April. He hasn't appeared at any TMS public functions since the June race as he has undergone more intense treatments over the last month. Gossage is hoping to return to work next month. "I've been talking to him almost every day either by phone or text," Zizzo said. "His brain is in overdrive. If it were up to him, he'd be back tomorrow." Zizzo said Gossage doesn't want to talk about his illness because he doesn't want that to be what people identify him with. Gossage's father, H.L., died of lung cancer in 1998. "He's trying to keep it under the radar and keep it as low-key as possible," Zizzo said.(Dallas Morning News)(7-23-2009)