Blake Shelton filming at Texas

Texas Motor Speedway is having a casting call during next week's Duck Commander 500 NASCAR doubleheader that will give fans of Blake Shelton the opportunity to take part in a national television commercial featuring the country music superstar. NBC and NBC Sports have selected Texas Motor Speedway as the backdrop for the broadcast partner's opening theme video for its 2016 NASCAR coverage of the season's final half, which includes November's AAA Texas 500, and will film the segment on Friday, April 8, in the south paddock area of the speedway infield. The casting call is for fans to serve as the stage-side crowd as Shelton, also a judge on NBC's popular reality show "The Voice," performs his hit song, "Bringing Back the Sunshine." To register, it's as simple as downloading Texas Motor Speedway's free mobile app. The app is available on iTunes and Google Play. Those selected as participants will get access to the Texas Motor Speedway infield for them and a guest and be part of the crowd for Shelton's performance.(Texas Motor Speedway)

Grosjean wants to run NASCAR road course race

Romain Grosjean says that contesting a one-off road course event in NASCAR is still on his radar - but that he would want to do a proper test first. The Frenchman sat in a NASCAR machine at Gene Haas's factory last year after signing for the American's F1 team and said at the time that he would not be against trying one out on a track. And although he has ruled out doing an oval race, he says competing in a road course event is something that he is still up for. When asked whether he still had an interest in contesting a NASCAR race, Grosjean told Motorsport.com: "Yes! But I'd do it on a road course. Not on an oval, never. I'd be scared, and it's too much of a specialty. I'm open to doing some testing [of a Sprint Cup car] on a road course to see how it runs before making my decision. This car is vastly different from an F1 car."(Motorsport)

2016 STP 500 at Martinsville Speedway Weekend Schedule

Friday, April 1st
10:00 AM-10:55 AM 2016 Alpha Energy Solutions 250 Opening Practice (FS1)
11:00 AM - 12:20 PM 2016 STP 500 Opening Practice (FS1)
12:30 PM 1:55 PM 2016 Alpha Energy Solutions 250 Second Practice (TBA)
3:00 PM 3:50 PM 2016 Alpha Energy Solutions 250 Happy Hour Practice (FS1)
4:15 PM 2016 STP 500 Coors Light Pole Qualifying (FS1)

Saturday, April 2nd
10:00 - 10:55 AM 2016 STP 500 Second Practice (FS1)
11:15 AM 2016 Alpha Energy Solutions 250 Keystone Light Pole Qualifying (FS1)
1:00 - 1:50 PM 2016 STP 500 Happy Hour Practice (FS1)
2:30 PM 2016 Alpha Energy Solutions 250 at Martinsville (250 Laps, 131.5 Miles) (FS1)

Sunday, April 3rd
1:00 PM 2016 STP 500 at Martinsville Speedway (500 Laps, 263 Miles) (FS1)

Sonoma Raceway to Add New Panasonic LED Scoring Pylon and Displays

SONOMA, Calif. (March 24, 2016) - Sonoma Raceway will offer fans an entirely new perspective on the racing action, as the wine country facility upgrades its spectator experience with more than 5,000 square feet of Panasonic LED digital signage.

Most notably, the raceway will replace its outdated lap/leader board, which has stood above Turn 1 of the road course since 1994, with an 85-foot tall, four-sided LED scoring tower. The new pylon will provide real-time running order for up to 20 positions, dynamic race-related graphics and fan information.

The new scoring tower will be located in approximately the same position above Turn 1, but is more than 26-feet taller than the old board and will be easily visible from almost every seating area around the road course. The new fan amenity will make its debut at the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event, June 24-26.

In addition, the raceway will add an 84- x 12-foot Panasonic LED video board on the front of its three-story Drag Tower building. This video board will be easily viewed from the Main Grandstand, as well as the temporary grandstand during the Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event in July.

"These two new displays are going to be spectacular and will correct what has been a major deficiency in the guest experience at Sonoma Raceway," said raceway President and General Manager, Steve Page. "We can't wait to fire them up."

This new technology will allow the raceway to create and deliver videos, graphic overlays, real-time statistics, custom content and sponsor advertisements. The new displays will be utilized during all three Sonoma Raceway major event weekends, including the Toyota/Save Mart 350, Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals and GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma Verizon IndyCar Series Championship.

"We are delighted to be partnering once again with Sonoma Raceway and providing technologies that will help contribute to their fans' satisfaction with each visit to the track," said Don Szczepaniak, Panasonic executive vice president responsible for AV Solutions. "The new LED scoring pylon and extended length video board are designed to raise the excitement level and give fans a more immersive and memorable experience than ever before."

Construction on the new video boards and displays is expected to begin at the end of March with the demolition of the old lap/leader board. Completion of the project is slated for early June.(Sonoma Raceway)

Audi to NASCAR?

In an interview last week, NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France touched on the potential of new manufacturers entering the sport, joining the current stable of Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota. "There is some interest, and by a couple of different manufacturers and we would be open to that in the right conditions," France said. "I think a lot of the car companies are understandably looking at the terrific job that Toyota has done by partnering with NASCAR and the success and all the things that comes along with that. They've been an incredible success story for a car manufacturer looking to come into a sport that's very difficult to come in, compete and win every weekend. But there's an interest. And this is obviously the biggest opportunity in auto racing in North America."

NASCAR.com video journalist Matthew Dillner added to the speculation when he tweeted that Audi could be making their way to NASCAR in the future.

Watkins Glen International visits State Capitol to promote tourism, ’16 season

ALBANY, N.Y. (March 23, 2016) - Members of the Watkins Glen International team and IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship drivers Jordan and Ricky Taylor traveled to the State capitol this week to meet with legislators and open a New York State motorsports exhibit in the Empire State Plaza.

During a legislative session on Tuesday afternoon, the Taylor brothers and WGI staff were recognized as distinguished guests, while the historic road course was lauded for being home to the state’s largest sporting event, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Cheez-It 355™ in August, which attracts fans from all 50 states and 16 different countries. Watkins Glen International events annually generate over $200 million in economic activity and more than 2,000 jobs across the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions.

As part of the exhibit housed in the Empire State Plaza’s indoor concourse, Kyle Busch’s 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series-winning Toyota Camry was on display in addition to John Morton’s national championship-winning Datsun 240z, a Mazda MX-5 Miata, and a dirt modified car from Utica-Rome Speedway.“We always enjoy our time in Albany, catching up with legislators and spreading the word of Watkins Glen International and tourism in the Finger Lakes,” said WGI President Michael Printup. “This year’s exhibit housed in Empire State Plaza provides us with the opportunity to showcase not only what we have to offer, but a glimpse into motorsports around the state, as well.” 

In a joint statement, State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats), Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning), and Assemblyman Chris Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) said,“It’s a great privilege for us to join Governor Cuomo and our legislative colleagues, Watkins Glen International, and the professional drivers who make this sport go to showcase the importance of American motorsports to the regional and statewide economies. It’s also a great opportunity to demonstrate our pride in one of the world’s iconic sporting venues and the fact that ‘The Glen’ has resonated so powerfully throughout the history of American motorsports for more than six decades. Watkins Glen International is one of New York State’s premier destinations, a backbone of our leading tourism industry, and a driving force for countess charitable, community service, and economic development initiatives. We’re lucky to call Watkins Glen International one of our own.”(WGI)

New season, track surface closing in on 2016 debut at Watkins Glen International

WATKINS GLEN, NY (March 18, 2016) - With an offseason full of track repaving and preparation in the rearview mirror, race season at Watkins Glen International is fast approaching.

To mark the beginning of another season at the storied road course, Opening Weekend fueled by Kwik Fill Red Apple once again provides fans with the opportunity to take their personal vehicles on track behind an official WGI pace car and take advantage of on-site ticket sales for upcoming events.

Proceeds from this year’s event admissions will benefit the R.A.C.E. (Racing and Community Enrichment) Foundation, a donor-advised fund of the NASCAR Foundation. In addition, on Saturday morning, The Arc of Schuyler, a non-profit organization providing support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is holding a 3.4-mile run, or one-mile walk on the track. To register, visit www.arcofschuyler.org.

“Opening Weekend is always special because it signifies a new year for the facility and our fans,” said Watkins Glen International President Michael Printup. “The anticipation is even greater this season due to the official debut of our repaved track. It’s been fun to talk about it over the winter months, but it’s about time we have some cars out there.”

Festivities kick off with opening ceremonies to be held on Friday, April 15th, further details to be announced as they are confirmed. The 12th annual Toyota Green Grand Prix, a showcase of motoring technology that aims for a cleaner environment, returns to the track, as well.

On both Saturday and Sunday, fans will have the unique opportunity to drive the track in their own vehicle. Tickets to 2016 events at Watkins Glen International will also be on sale at advance prices for one final time before the seasonal increase on Tuesday, April 19th.

Finally, ticketholders will notice several Watkins Glen International partners offering promotional discounts simply by showing a 2016 Opening Weekend stub, including: Hazlitt, International Motor Racing Research Center, Zippo, Bully Hill Vineyards, Great Western, Corning Museum of Glass, and Pole Position Raceway.(WGI)

2016 Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway Weekend Schedule

Friday, March 18th
10:30 - 11:55 AM 2016 Auto Club 400 Opening Practice (FS1)
12:00 PM-1:25 PM 2016 TreatMyClot.com 300 Opening Practice (FS1)
2:30 PM-3:25 PM 2016 TreatMyClot.com 300 Happy Hour (FS1)
4:45 PM (7:45 PM) 2016 Auto Club 400 Coors Light Pole Qualifying (FS1)

Saturday, March 19th
8:00 - 8:55 AM 2016 Auto Club 400 Practice #2 (FS2)
9:15 AM (12:15 PM/ET) 2016 TreatMyClot.com 300 Coors Light Pole Qualifying (FS1)
11:30 AM - 12:25 PM 2016 Auto Club 400 Happy Hour (FS1)
1:00 PM (4:00 PM) 2016 TreatMyClot.com 300 at Auto Club Speedway (300 Miles, 150 Laps) (FS1)

Sunday, March 20th
12:30 PM (3:30 PM) 2016 Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway (400 Miles, 200 Laps) (FOX)

2016 Good Sam 500(k) at Phoenix International Raceway Race Weekend Schedule

Friday, March 11th
9:30 AM-10:25 AM 2016 Axalta Faster. Tougher. Brighter. 200 Opening Practice (FS1)
10:30 - 11:55 AM 2016 Good Sam 500(k) Opening Practice (FS1)
1:00 PM-2:25 PM 2016 Axalta Faster. Tougher. Brighter. 200 Practice #2 (FS1)
3:30 PM-4:25 PM 2016 Axalta Faster. Tougher. Brighter. 200 Happy Hour (TBA)
4:45 PM (6:45 PM/ET) 2016 Good Sam 500(k) Coors Light Pole Qualifying (FS2)

Saturday, March 12th
8:30 - 9:25 AM 2016 Good Sam 500(k) Practice #2 (FS1)
9:45 AM (11:45 AM/ET) 2016 Axalta Faster. Tougher. Brighter. 200 Coors Light Pole Qualifying (FS2)
11:00 - 11:50 AM 2016 Good Sam 500(k) Happy Hour (FS1)
12:30 PM (2:30 PM/ET) 2016 Axalta Faster. Tougher. Brighter. 200 at Phoenix (200 Miles, 200 Laps) (FOX)

Sunday, March 13th
12:30 PM (3:30 PM) 2016 Good Sam 500(k) at Phoenix (500 KM/310.6 Miles, 312 Laps) (FOX)

2016 Kobalt 400 At Las Vegas Motor Speedway Race Weekend Schedule

Thursday, March 3rd
9:00 - 11:00 AM 2016 Kobalt 400 Testing (SESSION #1) (Not Televised)
12:00 - 3:00 PM 2016 Kobalt 400 Testing (SESSION #2) (Not Televised)

Friday, March 4th
10:30 - 11:55 AM 2016 Kobalt 400 Opening Practice (FS1)
12:30 PM-1:55 PM 2016 Boyd Gaming 300 Opening Practice (FS1)
3:00 PM-3:55 PM 2016 Boyd Gaming 300 Happy Hour (FS2)
4:45 PM (7:45 PM) 2016 Kobalt 400 Coors Light Pole Qualifying (FS1)

Saturday, March 5th
8:30 - 9:25 AM 2016 Kobalt 400 Practice #2 (FS1)
9:45 AM (12:45 PM/ET) 2016 Boyd Gaming 300 Coors Light Pole Qualifying (TBA)
11:30 AM - 12:20 PM 2016 Kobalt 400 Happy Hour (FS1)
1:00 PM (4:00 PM) 2016 Boyd Gaming 300 at Las Vegas (300 Miles, 200 Laps) (FS1)

Sunday, March 6th
12:30 PM (3:30 PM) 2016 Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas (400 Miles, 267 Laps) (FOX)