Follow Texas Motor Speedway on      .
-->
Samsung Mobile 500, Lone Star 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Races Will Move To 2 p.m. CT Start Times

FORT WORTH, Texas (February 4, 2010) – Texas Motor Speedway received approval from NASCAR today 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 p.m. Central Time starts, moving both races ahead two hours from their originally announced 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 p.m. ET (2 p.m. CT) starts. The remaining Sprint Cup races in the “Eastern/Central Region” (with the exception of night races) will begin at 1 p.m. ET (Noon 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. The Samsung Mobile 500 race week, scheduled for April 15-18, kicks off the Texas Motor Speedway racing season and will feature the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series and ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards.

Comments

Durango041 wrote re: Samsung Mobile 500, Lone Star 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Races Will Move To 2 p.m. CT Start Times
on 02-04-2010 3:27 PM

Cool....an extra hour of tailgating

scott wrote re: Samsung Mobile 500, Lone Star 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Races Will Move To 2 p.m. CT Start Times
on 02-04-2010 3:31 PM

I would prefer the race started earlier than 2:00

I have to drive home to Austin after the race ends, so I don't get home until midnight.  Hotels are too expensive in Fort Worth to stay an extra night.

mike wrote re: Samsung Mobile 500, Lone Star 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Races Will Move To 2 p.m. CT Start Times
on 02-04-2010 4:30 PM

the more tailgating the better

Adam wrote re: Samsung Mobile 500, Lone Star 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Races Will Move To 2 p.m. CT Start Times
on 02-04-2010 6:27 PM

Does someone care to share what the logistical problems are? and while we are at it why dont we let any track decide what time to start the race?

Andy wrote re: Samsung Mobile 500, Lone Star 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Races Will Move To 2 p.m. CT Start Times
on 02-04-2010 8:30 PM

I don't understand why the later start. Central time is central time. Selling more concessions is the only reason to start later. It makes for a long day when you have to drive home after the race and it starts that late. I was looking forward to the earlier starts.

NASCARTER wrote re: Samsung Mobile 500, Lone Star 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Races Will Move To 2 p.m. CT Start Times
on 02-04-2010 11:45 PM

I was all excited about the uniform start times. Eddie messed up here but I guess he wants to sell them Hot Rod dogs...

Thomas wrote re: Samsung Mobile 500, Lone Star 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Races Will Move To 2 p.m. CT Start Times
on 02-05-2010 6:06 AM

I know I would like the 12:00 start time. So I am not sure what "fans" they are talking about.

zachary wrote re: Samsung Mobile 500, Lone Star 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Races Will Move To 2 p.m. CT Start Times
on 02-05-2010 9:34 AM

i like the later start times, more time to tailgate and meet up with people, more time on the midway, not as rushed to get in, and in the fall a 2 p.m. start time will give us a finish under the lights.  Im all for it.

Pete wrote re: Samsung Mobile 500, Lone Star 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Races Will Move To 2 p.m. CT Start Times
on 02-05-2010 11:00 AM

If you like to tailgate or walk the midway after the race is as good a time as any. I come to the track to see racing. The early start would have been real nice. And I agree who did Eddie talk to we never heard anything till now?

Russell wrote re: Samsung Mobile 500, Lone Star 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Races Will Move To 2 p.m. CT Start Times
on 02-05-2010 12:55 PM

I was excited when I heard that races originating in the Central Time Zone would start @ 12:00 noon.  So much for that!  We're back to driving home in the dark with all the traffic.  I wish that TMS would have polled their ticket holders before speaking on their behalf.

Chris wrote re: Samsung Mobile 500, Lone Star 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Races Will Move To 2 p.m. CT Start Times
on 02-05-2010 1:55 PM

We have been season ticket holders since year one. They didn't ask us what time we wanted the race to start, so I too wonder what "fans" they are talking about. We were looking forward to the 12:00 starts.

Craig wrote re: Samsung Mobile 500, Lone Star 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Races Will Move To 2 p.m. CT Start Times
on 02-09-2010 8:15 PM

I agree with the others, I was looking forward to the 12pm start times. The drive home to Austin is a tough one on Sun. Nites. Eddie, what are the logistical problems??

Gregory wrote re: Samsung Mobile 500, Lone Star 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Races Will Move To 2 p.m. CT Start Times
on 02-10-2010 9:54 AM

Moving the starts later is an excellent move, this gives us more time to get to the race instead of having to be there so early.

Randy wrote re: Samsung Mobile 500, Lone Star 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Races Will Move To 2 p.m. CT Start Times
on 02-15-2010 11:02 AM

Add me to the list of season ticket holders from day one that was not asked about their preference.  Wonder where the fans are that TMS is quoting?  I bet they are not the majority.

Noon is a much better start time then 2:00 pm for the fans.  

Add a Comment

(required)  
(optional)
(required)  
Remember Me?
- ADVERTISEMENT -
Event Schedule
Corporate
Contact Info
© 2010 Texas Motor Speedway. All Rights Reserved.