Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Contender Joey Logano and Danica Patrick, who became the first female to lead a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) race at Talladega Superspeedway earlier this year, have been named as part of the track’s Pre-Race Fan Question & Answer session at the start-finish line on Sunday, Oct. 19, prior to the start of the GEICO 500.
Logano, a four-time winner this season in the NSCS, led four times for 25 laps in Talladega’s May NSCS event before being involved in a late-race accident. The driver of the No. 22 Shell/Pennzoil Ford Fusion is chasing his first Talladega NSCS win, but has a NASCAR Nationwide Series triumph (2012) at the 2.66-mile venue. Patrick had fans on their feet cheering early in May as well, leading twice for six of the first 12 laps after starting seventh. The driver of the No. 10 GoDaddy Chevrolet SS remained a constant frontrunner throughout the 188-lap event.
“Danica has been such an advocate for everything we do here at Talladega,” said Talladega Superspeedway Chairman Grant Lynch. “It was great to see her out front here in the spring, and I know our fans can’t wait to ask about her goals on race day in October. She enjoys racing here at Talladega and also is a huge supporter of things such as the Coca-Cola Zero™ Tailgate Championship on Talladega Boulevard in our infamous infield.
“We learned what kind of person Joey was a few weeks back when he visited the Children’s Hospital of Alabama on behalf of Talladega Superspeedway,” added Lynch. “Not only is he an incredible driver and spokesman for NASCAR, but he is also a class act when it comes to the human element of our sport. He has a passion for people and a passion to win here. I know how bad he wants it. He was close in the spring.”
Logano and Patrick join three of the 16 original Challengers in the 2014 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup at the race day driver Q&A lineup. The trio includes six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion and two-time Talladega winner Jimmie Johnson, who advanced to the Contender Round of 12 in which the GEICO 500 is the anchor event. Greg Biffle, who finished second here in the spring, along with Aric Almirola, will also be on hand. The Motor Racing Network’s (MRN) Mike Bagley is scheduled to conduct the Question & Answer session.
Fans that purchase Talladega’s “Pit Pass Upgrade,” can have access to the special session, which is tentatively scheduled from 9:15-10:30 am. Not only can they get an up-close look at NASCAR’s finest with the Pit Pass Upgrade, but they can take in all the festive activities at the pre-race stage, including Driver Introductions for the GEICO 500, the final race of the Contender Round in the new Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, where the field of eligible drivers for the title will be reduced from 12 to eight at the checkered flag.
Pre-race festivities at the Driver Introduction stage, in addition to the driver Q&A, will include introductions of special guests and VIPs, as well as the Honorary Starter and Grand Marshal of the GEICO 500, which is set for a 1 p.m. (CST) start. The Pit Pass Upgrade is $75, but also includes more opportunities on race day.
With the Pit Pass Upgrade fans enjoy a crew member’s perspective on race morning. Fans can stroll 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. It also allows access to a relatively new experience – The Red Carpet Entry into the Drivers Meeting. Fans will see the drivers, crew chiefs, team owners, celebrities and NASCAR officials walk the red carpet into the meeting, where race procedures and protocol will be explained.
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