Click here to see [...]]]> Staff photographer Steve Langley captured these images while at the recent racing at Atlanta… click past the jump to see the photos…

Click here to see Steve’s photos.

Man, what a show! And the crowd was enormous down on the track @$59 per person! I could not walk through them to get from the front to the back!

I ended up on the flag stand, up in [...]]]> Check out our photographer Steve Langley’s photos from the Lynyrd Skynyrd concert at Nashville a week or so ago…

Man, what a show! And the crowd was enormous down on the track @$59 per person! I could not walk through them to get from the front to the back!

I ended up on the flag stand, up in the stands, and right in front at their feet to take these shots. Funny, when I climbed the flag stand, it was raining so hard I didn’t think I was going to make it because the stand is chrome and it was SLICK. My camera fogged up so bad I could hardly see through the view finder. All the while, I was singing every word of their lyrics not missing a beat. I was hoping they would hand me one of their guitars, I can play each and every song they played! (and the leads to boot)

This made up for no race, my life is complete!

See Steve’s photo slideshow by clicking here.

The event was open to all season ticket holders of the Speedway and the reward was a ride in [...]]]> After a couple weeks of cold, nasty, rainy weather, the clouds parted and the sun warmed up the Nashville Superspeedway just in time for what they are calling “The Season Ticket Holder Test Session” presented by Pizza Hut.

The event was open to all season ticket holders of the Speedway and the reward was a ride in the Richard Petty Driving Experience race cars on the 1.33 mile concrete track at speeds of up to 155+ miles per hour.

With sessions scheduled for morning and afternoon, the afternoon fans were treated with a meet and greet with drivers from the NASCAR racing series. Reed Sorenson, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Travis Kvapil were there to sign their autographs and a few lucky fans got to climb in the car for a ride to remember zooming around the track.

The cars are the old style Nationwide Series cars that were actually driven in races in past years. Fans donned the obvious Richard Petty blue driver’s jumpsuit, a head cap for under their helmets, and a shiney black helmet. Photos were taken of the fans sitting in the cars, on the passenger side, before the window net was secured in place for the ride. The Richard Petty Driving Experience crew were very professional and asked each and every fan their names and what town they were from. They then repeated the same information to the driver that was to take them around the track for their fast-paced ride.

There was also video cameras in the cars taking video of their ride that fans could purchase after the ride was over, along with the photo that was taken upon entry to the passenger seat. The photos could be purchased on small, medium, and large plaques with the Petty logos, or a single photo could be purchased. Of course, the prices for these items were a little steep, but then again, that’s a big part of their income. I saw a lot of every size plaque being carried away, so to some fans the experience was worth the cost.

A surprise guest appeared during the afternoon. Bucky Covington, from the American Idol fame greeted guests and took his ride in the Petty car. He was driven by Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and must have had a fun time with the BIG grin showing on his face when he returned from his spin around the track. “This is the first time I’ve ever got to do something like this, that was a BLAST”! He said he had got to ride in the pace car at another track but it was nothing compared to sitting in the seat of one of these cars. “I though we were going to hit the wall coming out of turn two but Ricky was probably just trying to scare me a little. He looked over at me with a grin on his face so I knew he was playing with me. He’s a nice guy”.

I wasn’t going to let everybody else have all the fun so I slipped into one of the suits and took my turn as well. I climbed in the car with Reed Sorenson and had a minute to talk with him while other cars were being loaded with fans. I asked if he was having a good time and he said it wasn’t as fun as driving in a race, but it was nice to meet and get to talk to all the fans and to find out where they are all from.  I’m not sure but I don’t think they used any Reefer Trailers for Sale while they were hauling the cars around.

He fired up the machine and we took off down pit lane. From the word go, it was to the floor. I now see why drivers sometimes spin out going from the flat pit road surface to the banked surface in turn one because it was drastic. Changing gears, you could feel the power of the motor under the hood. Up to speed fairly quickly, we came to turn three and I wasn’t sure we were going to make it! I really thought we were going to spin out. You just don’t realize the G-forces these things create at 150+ miles per hour.

I thought we were going to catch the car in front of us, and did get close, but I think he let off enough to where he didn’t put us in any danger at all. This is a public function, could you imagine the headlines if something went wrong and a fan actually got hurt? Yes, we had to sign a waiver to get in one of these things. But think about it, have you ever heard of anyone getting hurt riding with one of the Petty Experience drivers? I doubt it.

I think this event was a hit with the fans and a nice reward for purchasing season tickets and supporting Nashville Superspeedway. Lunch was served in the media center with food from Pizza Hut. Nashville Superspeedway has had something special every year for their season ticket holders. In the first few years, a cookout was held at Bobby Hamilton’s garage but since his passing, other things have been provided for the fans. Special Driver autograph sessions and a cookout one year as well.

Nashville Superspeedway has even lower ticket prices this year. Tickets for NASCAR Nationwide Series races at Nashville on April 23 start at just $30, while tickets for the “Bully Hill Vineyards 200″ NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on April 22 start at $25. Juniors, age 14 and under, can attend any event for $10.

Season tickets are just $129 for adults and $40 for juniors under 14. A season ticket package includes tickets to all four NASCAR events, and an ALL ACCESS pass for NASCAR Nationwide Series events, Fan Walk access for all events and a season parking pass, among other great amenities.

So if you’ve never been to Nashville Superspeedway, now’s the time to go and see just how nice this facility really is. Parking is very close to the track and the walking is much less than other tracks I’ve attended.

Champion driver Dale Jarrett, famed crew chief and engine builder Waddell Wilson and renowned [...]]]> The National Motorsports Press Association held their annual convention this past weekend in Charlotte NC over the weekend to induct into the Hall of Fame three legends in racing and to award their members for achievements in radio, television, written, and photography divisions.

Champion driver Dale Jarrett, famed crew chief and engine builder Waddell Wilson and renowned journalist Tom Higgins were inducted into the National Motorsports Press Association’s Hall of Fame Saturday night at the Hilton Charlotte University Place. Preceding the ceremony, the trio participated in a news conference with media members in an open forum with lots of fun stories and answers to the questions from the group of media. There was a large number in attendance. In the allotted time given, the three entertained the room with funny stories from the past.

Jim Hunter was the recipient of the National Motorsports Press Association Speedway Motorsports Spirit Award for 2010 for his lifelong efforts in support of NASCAR and those involved in the sport. Hunter, who died in October 2010, was among four quarterly winners for the award and chosen by NMPA members as the overall winner for the year. The NMPA Spirit Award is designed to recognize character and achievement in the face of adversity, sportsmanship and contributions to motorsports.

Other quarterly winners in 2010 were: Brian Vickers, who is active with various charities, and was selected based on his attitude and determination to return to racing after blood clots forced him out of the car in May. J.D. Gibbs, for hosting Taylor’s Finish Line Festival in May, held to celebrate the end of cancer treatments for Gibbs’ 5-year-old son, Taylor. Proceeds benefited the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central and Western, N.C., and the Levine Children’s Hospital of Charlotte. Bobby Hutchens, director of competition at Stewart-Haas Racing, for continuing to oversee operations after the death of his wife from breast cancer in December. He also continues to support the group his late wife and a friend formed to help raise money to fight breast cancer.

The 2010 NMPA Richard Petty Driver of the Year was awarded to Jimmie Johnson. Jimmie Johnson continued his record-breaking streak of NASCAR Sprint Cup championships in 2010, winning his fifth consecutive title – and his second consecutive NMPA Richard Petty Driver of the Year award. It’s the fifth time the membership of the National Motorsports Press Association has voted Johnson for the award, which has been given since 1969. That ties Johnson with Dale Earnhardt, who was named NMPA Richard Petty Driver of the Year five times. During the 2010 season, Johnson earned six victories with 17 top-five finishes and 23 top-10 finishes. His top-five finishes led the series and his wins and top-10 finishes were second in the series. Johnson also won this honor in 2004, ’06,’07 and ‘09.

Also receiving votes were Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, Jamie McMurray and John Force. Determined by vote of the membership, the Richard Petty Driver of the Year award has been presented annually since 1969 to recognize the season’s most outstanding driver. It is named in honor of NASCAR’s all-time leader in Cup victories.

The NMPA’s annual convention is held the weekend prior to the NASCAR Media Tour. The National Motorsports Press Association consists of qualified members of the media who report on the sport of auto racing through his or her affiliation with print, radio, television or the Internet news organizations. Members of the organization are dedicated to maintaining high journalistic standards and promoting one of the most popular sporting endeavors in the United States. Formed more than 40 years ago as the Southern Motorsports Association, it began as a small group of writers and broadcasters who primarily covered NASCAR and related stock car racing in the South. Through the years, it has evolved into an organization made up of national and international members who cover all forms of motorsports. It also includes associate members, many of whom are among the most influential individuals in auto racing.

You can visit the NMPA official website at http://www.nmpaonline.com/about.html to learn more about the organization.