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)
