– Dale Earnhardt, Jr., who refers to Talladega Superspeedway as a “second home”, has been named the first driver to take part in the track’s Pre-Race Fan Question & Answer Session at the start-finish line on Sunday, Oct. 23, prior to the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Alabama 500, the Round of 12 elimination race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.
Race fans will get to ask NASCAR’S Most Popular Driver and six-time Talladega Superspeedway winner questions in advance of the most anticipated race of the season in which the remaining 12 drivers eligible for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup will be trimmed to eight at the checkered flag. A Motor Racing Network (MRN) personality will conduct the Fan Q&A.
“Some places you feel almost like you’re at home, and this is one of ‘em,” says Earnhardt, Jr. of the mammoth 2.66-mile Talladega Superspeedway, where he became the only driver in the track’s history to win four consecutive races from 2001-03.
Fans that purchase Talladega’s “Pre-Race Pit Pass Upgrade” for $75, along with a Sunday admission ticket, will have access to this special Fan Q&A session, which is tentatively scheduled from 9:30-10:45 am CDT, as well as many other exciting activities as a part of race day at Talladega.
Looking to add to the Earnhardt legacy (Dale Earnhardt, Sr. won a record 10 NSCS races at TSS), Earnhardt, Jr., hopes to move into sole possession of second place (currently tied with Jeff Gordon) and a step closer to his father on the all-time Talladega win list with his seventh triumph.
“We’ve had a lot of supporters (at Talladega) because of dad’s success,” said Earnhardt, Jr. who was runner-up in last fall’s Alabama 500, and was the winner of the 2015 GEICO 500. “He won so many races at Talladega, and I think about all those races. When we go to Victory Lane at Talladega, I feel like I just add to his legacy. All I ever wanted to do was make him proud, and I feel like when we win at those tracks that he was so successful at, that’s exactly what we’re doing.”
The “Pre-Race Pit Pass Upgrade” includes several opportunities for up-close access on race day:
- Hear first-hand how drivers plan to tackle NASCAR’s most competitive track during the driver Q&A session which is conducted by some of the biggest personalities in NASCAR
- Experience Talladega Superspeedway from a crew member’s perspective by walking up and down pit road where the cars will be placed in position to start the race, and have the opportunity to see the crews set up each pit stall
- Watch NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers, crew chiefs, team owners, celebrities, and NASCAR officials walk the Red Carpet to the mandated Drivers Meeting, where race procedures and protocol will be explained
- Get up close and personal with NASCAR’s warriors during Driver Introductions at the start-finish line where special guests, including the race’s Honorary Starter and Grand Marshal, will be on hand
- Additional drivers/personalities for the Fan Q&A will be announced in the future
*Driver availability for the TSS Fan Pre-Race Question & Answer session is subject to change and without notice. Neither NASCAR nor any of its affiliates are responsible for this event*
The “Pre-Race Pit Pass Upgrade” will be in effect on Sunday, Oct. 23, from 8 a.m. until the conclusion of Driver Introductions. The Alabama 500 gets underway at 1 p.m. CDT. To purchase, simply visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 1-877-Go2-DEGA.
TSS PR
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