This year is shaping up to be a special one at Texas Motor Speedway. While the track has often been known for its spectacular racing and hard-earned reputation as the “place where racing lives”, this year it has something more in store.
After a two-year hiatus, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series will return to the track on April 13th. Then, on May 4th, it will be the turn of the NASCAR Xfinity Series as the track hosts the season premiere of NBC’s popular racing series, the World Series of Poker Tournament.
With the track’s rich history, it is no surprise that its premier events are attracting some of the biggest stars in motorsport. However, it’s not just the top-tier races that have pulled in some of the biggest names. The NASCAR Whelen Series will also be making a return visit to the track this year, as will IndyCar and the WISPs (World Intercontinental Street Racing Project). Furthermore, some special one-off races will be held throughout the year, attracting even more top drivers to the track. With so much going on, it’s sure to be an exciting season at Texas Motor Speedway.
The Return Of The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series
One of the main reasons for the upcoming excitement at Texas Motor Speedway is the return of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. For over 40 years, the premier NASCAR series has held a spring break-type of race at the end of March. However, in 2017, the series decided to push the race back to April 13th. The change was made due to the success of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, the Xfinity Series, and the Whelen Modified Series at the end of March and the start of April. Similar to how the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament and the MLS season wrap up in early May, NASCAR and the tracks it visits (including Texas Motor Speedway) want to give the fans as much high-quality content as possible throughout the year. Hence, the change to the spring date for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. It now runs from April 13th to May 4th, which is also the second half of the NASCAR playoffs.
While the change has allowed more opportunities for drivers and fans, it has also presented some challenges.
One of the issues is that the month of April is typically the month when people are trying to become more active. This year, with the change of dates, it has been quite the opposite. Interest in physical activity has dropped by 20%. This is mainly because people want to get into shape for the wedding season. Another issue is that the change in dates has had a significant impact on hotel rooms and gas stations near the speedway. Attendance at the track has also dropped by 20% since the date change. This is likely because people want to stay closer to home for the summer. Despite these challenges, the returns of these three prestigious racing series at the end of March and the beginning of April more than make up for any inconveniences the change may have caused. The combination of high-quality racing and a busy offseason for fans has made for an exciting year at Texas Motor Speedway.
The New NASCAR Xfinity Series Season Opener
Another big draw for fans this year is the season opener of the NASCAR Xfinity Series. The premier NASCAR Xfinity Series race will be held on Sunday, May 4th, with the World Series of Poker Tournament season premiere also going ahead as planned. Therefore, the month of May will be very, very busy for drivers, fans, and organizers at the Texas Motor Speedway.
The race will follow the NASCAR Playoffs, which end on May 3rd. Therefore, it will be a five-day weekend, beginning on Thursday, May 2nd, with qualifying and most of the races on Saturday, May 4th, and the conclusion on Sunday, May 4th. The changes have allowed the series to increase the number of stages and the amount of laps, in comparison to past seasons. These changes should enhance the action and make the May 4th race one to remember.
The Whelen Modified Series Returns To Texas Motor Speedway
The Whelen Modified Series will also return to Texas Motor Speedway this year, as will the NASCAR Whelen 500 race (formerly the Busch North America 500). These two races were scheduled to take place on April 20th and April 27th, respectively, but have been moved forward due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
As a result of the pandemic, NASCAR cancelled the remaining two-thirds of its schedule. The good news is that the Whelen Modified Series and the NASCAR Whelen 500 can now take place as scheduled, on May 4th and May 11th, respectively.
The Whelen Modified Series will be coming off its most successful season in many years. The series was on a nine-race winning streak heading into the final race, which it won to secure its first championship. Therefore, it was quite a satisfying end to a fantastic season, especially as it secured the first-ever Whelen Modified Series title.
This year’s NASCAR Whelen 500 will mark the 70th anniversary of the series. The race will be holding a special place in the hearts of many people, since it was the last race that Frankie Huester, who won the race in his #22 Chevy, waved to the fans as he finished the final lap. It will also be the first (and probably the only) NASCAR race that Mike Whelen will ever attend. It is sure to be a special night, as the fans and the drivers commemorate the occasion. The 2020 edition of the NASCAR Whelen 500 is shaping up to be a fitting finale to this year’s schedule.
Other Sporting Events At The Track This Year
Besides the usual NASCAR events, the track will also hold some one-off events throughout the year. The biggest of these is the Monster Energy Open, an open-wheel racing event that pits some of the best IndyCar drivers against each other. It will be taking place on April 13th, which is also the first day of the NASCAR season. Therefore, this is sure to be a fantastic opportunity for fans to see some top-notch IndyCar racing. Furthermore, the track will host the inaugural Xfinity Dash 4 Cash, a $100,000-prize-winning event that will be part of the Xfinity Series’ second half. The event will be held on Sunday, July 15th. The Xfinity Series runs through the end of September, so there should be plenty of opportunities for fans to attend a race.
Other special events that the track will host include the NASCAR Canadian Grand Prix on July 30th and the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series race on September 29th.
Why Should You Visit Texas Motor Speedway?
Texas Motor Speedway is located in a small city in the south central part of the state. The track is easily accessible from all major cities in Texas. Furthermore, the race track has a unique vibe, which isn’t found at other major speedways. It has often been referred to as the “small track that became big”, and that is certainly true. The first NASCAR race was held here back in 1960. Since then, the track has become home to many big moments in NASCAR history. This year looks like it will be no different.
While the track is small, it is packed with surprises and opportunities for the keen-eyed fan. The changes made to the dates for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and the Xfinity Series have allowed the track to become even more appealing. Now, it will be possible to attend the premiere of the World Series of Poker Tournament and a NASCAR playoff race, all within a five-day period. This is a winning combination for fans and for the track, which will hopefully attract more people to the sport in the coming years.