NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductee Terry Labonte to Appear at Ford Fan Day

Kentucky Speedway’s Ford Fan Day returns rain or shine Saturday, April 30 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The free event gives visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the venue, view the track renovation project while enjoying family oriented activities and a chance to chat with this year’s special guest, 2016 NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductee Terry Labonte.

 

The Texas native and two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion will be available for two question-and-answer sessions starting at 12:30 p.m., with NASCAR Camping World Truck Series ThorSport Racing driver Ben Rhodes, and again at 2:15 p.m. Both sessions will take place near the Indiana Tower.

 

Guests will have the opportunity for an autograph at approximately 1:30 p.m., and 2:45 p.m., in the Kentucky Club. Limit two items per person.

 

Labonte competed in the Sprint Cup series from 1978-2014. He captured 22 wins including two Southern 500 victories and is one of only six drivers with championships in two decades (1984, ’96). Nicknamed “The Iceman” early in his career for his coolness under pressure and later named the “Iron Man” for his record of 655 consecutive starts in NASCAR’s premier series. The record stood until 2002.

 

Guests will be able to tour the spotters stand, flag stand, owner’s suite, and campgrounds. Visitors are able to have their photo taken with the Quaker State 400 presented by Advance Auto Parts trophy when you visit the owner’s suite and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship trophy when guests visit the press box.

 

Fans can learn more about the track renovations from Kentucky Speedway general manager Mark Simendinger during the “Ask the GM” question-and-answer session at noon.

 

Attendees will also have the opportunity to test drive the all-new 2016 Ford F-150 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. outside Gate 15. Fans will test the trucks new features that include high-strength, military grade, aluminum-alloy body and high-strength steel frame for less weight yet greater strength. Along with the trucks improved power-to-weight ratio across the entire 4-engine lineup for greater performance.

 

The popular Raceway Ministries Kids Zone will be filled with activities such as face painting, a pit stop tire challenge, inflatables, popcorn, bean bag toss into tires and petting zoo with animals from Honey Hill Farms.

 

The track’s fire and safety team will conduct a live demonstration next to Gate 16 at 11:15 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 2:45 p.m., and 3:15 p.m. 

 

Speedway Children’s Charities (SCC) Kentucky Chapter activities tent will be located near Indiana Tower. SCC will be taking donations for pieces of the old closed cell foam that used to be part of the SAFER barrier around Kentucky Speedway and limited number of used Goodyear race tires.

 

Ford Fan Day will set the stage for the first of two Kentucky Speedway event weekends.

 

The first event weekend is in July with the return of a NASCAR tripleheader weekend anchored by the July 9 Sprint Cup Series Quaker State 400 presented by Advance Auto Parts. The Camping World Truck Series starts the weekend with the Buckle Up in Your Truck 225 Thursday, July 7 and the XFINITY Series Alsco 300 Friday, July 8.

 

The General Tire Super Weekend at Kentucky Speedway is highlighted by the return of the XFINITY Series on Saturday, September 24 for the VisitMyrtleBeach.com 300 at Kentucky Speedway and the ARCA Racing Series’ 23^rd track appearance Friday, September 23 for the Crosley 150.

 

Fans may purchase season tickets and camping, July weekend packages or individual race tickets now by calling (859) 578-2300, at http://www.kentuckyspeedway.com, or by visiting the Kentucky Speedway ticket office at 1 Speedway Drive, Sparta, Ky., 41086 just off Interstate 71 Exit 57 and Ky. Hwy. 35 North. Ticket office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.