It’s Bank of America 500 Week at Charlotte Motor Speedway and there is so much more than just the on-track activity to get fans excited. Below is a listing of some of the fan activities scheduled each day during Bank of America 500 Week. For a complete list, visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or call 1-800-455-FANS (3267).
Monday
PRN Fast Talk to Feature Kasey Kahne Live from The Speedway Club
The Performance Racing Network will host a special edition of “Fast Talk” live from The Speedway Club at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Monday, Oct. 10, at 7 p.m. Doug Rice, president and general manager of PRN, will be joined by special guest Kasey Kahne, driver of the No. 4 Red Bull Toyota. “Fast Talk” listeners can call in during the show to 1 (800) 771-TALK (8255) between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. EST to ask a question live on air. Questions can be submitted in advance via e-mail to [email protected]. Charlotte-area fans can attend the “Fast Talk” session in The Speedway Club by sending an e-mail to [email protected] to reserve a seat.
Tuesday
New Hall of Fame Tours Begin with Jimmie Johnson Q&A Session
Charlotte Motor Speedway is partnering with the NASCAR Hall of Fame to let fans join in on 30-minute Q&A sessions with some of the drivers in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup with the speedway’s Tuesday Chase Tours. The tour includes admission to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, a food voucher for use at the Pit Stop Café inside the Hall and roundtrip transportation from the speedway. Tours start Tuesday, Oct. 11 and run each Tuesday through Nov. 15. Drivers scheduled for the sessions include Jimmie Johnson (Oct. 11); Jeff Gordon and Kurt Busch (Oct. 18), Tony Stewart (Oct. 25); Carl Edwards (Nov. 1), Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Brad Keselowski (Nov. 8) and Kevin Harvick (Nov. 15). Seating for the Tuesday Chase Tours is extremely limited. Fans can call 1-800-455-FANS (3267) for a reservation.
Wednesday
World of Outlaws Late Model Series Driver Autograph Session at 5 p.m.
The world’s best late model drivers will be in the spotlight as “The Greatest Show on Dirt” returns to The Dirt Track at Charlotte for the World of Outlaws Late Model Showdown Wednesday night. Before the racing action gets underway drivers will participate in an autograph session at 5 p.m. on the main concourse. Among the more than 40 drivers expected to participate include Darrell Lanigan, Josh Richards, Rick Eckert, Shane Clanton, Clint Smith, Chub Frank and Tim McCreadie. Gates open at 5 p.m. Hot laps start at 6 p.m. and opening ceremonies begin at 7:20 p.m. The World of Outlaws Late Model Showdown is scheduled to start at 9:10 p.m.
Thursday
OktoberFast Sprint Cup Driver Autograph Session at Noon with Gordon, Newman, Kyle Busch
The biggest names in NASCAR will be on hand during Bank of America 500 Week and fans will have a chance to get autographs from some of their favorite NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers. The OktoberFast Fan Festival presented by Budweiser features a Cup driver autograph session at noon on Thursday, Oct. 13, with Jeff Gordon, Kyle Busch, Ryan Newman, Jamie McMurray, Juan Pablo Montoya, A.J. Allmendinger, Casey Mears, Robby Gordon and Joe Nemechek in the OktoberFast Tent. The purchase of an OktoberFast pass is required for entry into the session.
Modified Driver Autograph Session at 7:30 p.m.
On Bojangles’ Pole Night on Thursday night, Oct. 13, fans can meet the stars of the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour during an autograph session at 7:30 p.m. on the frontstretch concourse near Gate 5A before they race in the UNOH Southern Slam 150 at 9:10 p.m. All drivers participating in the race, including Whelen Southern Modified Tour stars George Brunnhoelzl III, Burt Myers and Andy Seuss, will greet fans during the autograph session.
Fans Can Participate in Bojangles’ Pole Night at 7:10 p.m.
On Thursday night, Oct. 13, Charlotte Motor Speedway officials will randomly select fans in attendance at Bojangles’ Pole Night to wave the green flag during NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying for the Bank of America 500 Saturday. Qualifying is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.
Friday
Nationwide Series Stars Autograph Session at 1 p.m.
Fans will get their chance to meet tomorrow’s stars of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series on Friday, Oct. 14 at 1 p.m. during the NASCAR Nationwide Series Driver Autograph Session. Drivers will be located on pit road to the right of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series garage. Fans with a Dollar General 300 Miles of Courage ticket can get a free wristband at the Turn 4 tunnel for the autograph session, which is limited to the first 200 fans. Confirmed drivers for the session include Justin Allgaier, Jeremy Clements, Timmy Hill, Blake Koch, Charles Lewandoski, Robert Richardson, Casey Roderick and Morgan Shepard.
Saturday
Speedway Children’s Charities Track Walk at 10 a.m.
Fans will have the opportunity to see Charlotte Motor Speedway like never before on Saturday at 10 a.m. before the Bank of America 500 during Speedway Children’s Charities annual Track Walk. Donations for participating in the Track Walk can be made online for $25 in advance or $35 at Charlotte Motor Speedway during race week, Oct. 12-15. Online registration is available at www.charlotte.speedwaycharities.org. Money raised will help fund grants that continue work in supporting local children in need.
Women of NASCAR Race in the Better Half Dash at 2:30 p.m.
The guys will step aside when the ladies put on the firesuits for the inaugural Better Half Dash, a 25-lap Bandolero race at 2:30 p.m. on Charlotte Motor Speedway’s frontstretch quarter mile oval as a part of the Bank of America 500 pre-race activities on Oct. 15. Participants include Angie Skinner, wife of 1995 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Mike Skinner and SPEED television personality Wendy Venturini. The charity race will support Motor Racing Outreach (MRO) and Speedway Children’s Charities (SCC). Fans can donate $10 to MRO and SCC by texting “MOTOR” to 20222 through Oct. 15.
Hall of Famers to Participate in “PRN Up To SPEED” at 4 p.m.
“PRN Up To SPEED,” the popular free fan Q-and-A session with NASCAR personalities, will take place at the SPEED stage, located at the speedway’s main entrance, from 3:30 to 4:00 p.m., prior to the Bank of America 500 on Saturday, Oct. 15. 2012 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductees Dale Inman, Darrell Waltrip, Glen Wood and Cale Yarborough are expected to join personalities from the Performance Racing Network for the session.
Pre-Race Concert by Country Superstar Sara Evans at 5:30 p.m.
Multi-platinum recording artist and country music superstar Sara Evans will perform a pre-race concert for the Bank of America 500, Oct. 15, at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The concert will begin at approximately 5:30 p.m. on the speedway’s frontstretch. Admission to the concert is free with the purchase of a ticket to the Bank of America 500.
Witness a Guinness World Record Attempt at the Highest Cannonball Shot at 6:25 p.m.
World-record-holding human cannonball David “The Bullet” Smith will attempt to soar 70 feet in the air before the green flag flies on the Bank of America 500. Smith currently holds Guinness World Record for distance shot from a cannon at 193 feet and he’ll be looking to set the height record around 6:25 pm during pre-race festivities for the Bank of America 500.
Sunday
Ticket Renewal Breakfast at 9 a.m.
The morning after the Bank of America 500, fans are welcome to stop by the Charlotte Motor Speedway ticket office for breakfast and have the chance to renew their 2012 tickets or upgrade or renew their Victory Lane Club membership. The coffee and donut breakfast starts at 9 a.m.
Kyle Petty Ride to Victory Leaves zMAX Dragway at 9:30 a.m.
After the Bank of America 500, fans can join former NASCAR driver and SPEED TV personality Kyle Petty on the Ride to Victory IX. Motorcycle enthusiasts will have the opportunity to enjoy a scenic ride on Sunday, Oct. 16, departing zMAX Dragway at 9:30 a.m. and traveling through the mountains of western North Carolina to conclude at Harley?Davidson of Asheville, N.C. The event will raise money for Victory Junction. The cost to participate in the Ride to Victory IX is $45 in advance and $55 the day of the event. Each participant receives a commemorative t?shirt, decal, pin and lunch. Participants can pre?register by visiting www.kylepettycharityride.com or calling (704) 714?4545.
Ride-Alongs from Richard Petty Driving Experience at 11 a.m.
Fans in town for Bank of America 500 Race Week who want to experience Charlotte Motor Speedway up close can participate in a ride-along with the Richard Petty Driving Experience. Each ride-along participant will receive three laps in a NASCAR Sprint Cup-style stock car at speeds approaching 160 mph. The cars will be driven by professional Richard Petty Driving Experience instructors. Ride-alongs take place Sunday, Oct. 17 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The ride-alongs are open to the public and are $149. To make a reservation, call 1-800-BE-PETTY.
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