NASCAR drivers Ron Hornaday Jr., Max Papis and Ryan Truex visit Dover International Speedway

With the May 13-15, 2011 race weekend at Dover International Speedway just around the corner, fans got a treat today as three NASCAR drivers paid a visit to the track for a day full of activities.

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series drivers Ron Hornaday Jr. and Max Papis, along with NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Ryan Truex, spent the day at the Monster Mile doing everything from calling ticket holders to giving fans and media rides around the track, and even signing autographs in The Colonnade at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino.

A few lucky ticket holders for the upcoming race weekend got calls and voicemails from the three drivers, and a few walk-up customers to the ticket offices got a nice surprise when they realized some of their favorite drivers were behind the counter. One fan even went so far as to take the shirt off his back to get autographs from Hornaday and Papis.

Following lunch with the media, the drivers took to what they know best – taking stock cars around the Monster Mile at lightning-fast speeds, with fans and media members serving as passengers for the rides.

“I really love this race track,” said Papis, driver of the No. 9 Geico Toyota. “It’s one of those tracks where you really have to be tough, you really have to put your elbow out and drive it hard. Whoever doesn’t like this place shouldn’t call themselves a racecar driver.”

Truex, a New Jersey native that currently drives the No. 99 Toyota for Pastana-Waltrip Racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, echoed Papis’ sentiments and said it’s always great coming back to Dover, especially since it’s his home track.

“You’ve got to have guts and determination…it’s a driver’s race track,” he added.

The three NASCAR stars ended the day by signing autographs for approximately 200 fans that gathered in The Colonnade at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino.

Dover Motorsports PR