NASCAR ANNOUNCES RACE AT THUNDER HILL RACEWAY
KYLE?Those race fans who just haven?t had the opportunity to attend a full-scale NASCAR race in person will now have that thrill when the NASCAR sanctioned Grand National Division West Series appears for the ?Texas Thunder 200,? on October 1st, at Thunder Hill Raceway in Kyle.
During a news conference at the Hyatt Regency Austin, Tuesday afternoon, Austin based Full Throttle Productions announced that the ?First ever NASCAR Grand National race to be held in Texas,? will take place at Thunder Hill Raceway.
Full Throttle Productions General Partner Aryn White explained, ?Central Texas is home to many major sporting events and now we?re happy to bring NASCAR into that mix.? ?We fully anticipate it will become an annual event,? said White.
Agreeing with her, Mike Verlatti, series director for the NASCAR Grand National Division West Series stated, ?We?re very excited with this opportunity to bring our series to Texas.? He said that NASCAR has done extensive market research, especially regarding demographics and population, and that the Austin area fits in very well with their plans.
In response to a question, Verlatti explained that local ?Saturday Night? race tracks are the proving ground for NASCAR drivers. He noted that?s where the young people get their first experience, and that, ?Without the local tracks, where would NASCAR be??
?We?re looking forward to a memorable event,? continued Verlatti.
That memorable event relates to the Texas Thunder 200, when cars nearly identical to NASCAR Nextel Cup and NASCAR Busch cars run 200 laps at the 3/8 mile track at Thunder Hill Raceway.
With seating expanded to a capacity of 9,000, the race is expected to draw fans from throughout Central Texas. Along with the racing, Full Throttle explained there will be a full day of entertainment including a line-up of musical performances with various recording artists, special pit passes, autograph sessions with selected race drivers, plus food and fun for fans of all ages.
A driver who will have a special group of fans will be Tavo (C.T.) Hellmund, a resident of Austin and graduate of Westlake High School.
His biography notes that he has proven he has a bright future in NASCAR by winning , or leading consistently in NASCAR Winston West, NASCAR Grand National Division, NASCAR Late Models, IMCA Modifieds, and in various open wheel cars both in the U.S. and Europe.
Mike Verlatti concurred with that, stating that Hellmund has proven himself as a driver, and now just needs the proper sponsorship to move up in NASCAR.
?Racing in my own backyard has long been a dream of mine,? stated Hellmund, ?The Texas Thunder 200 is a great first-time NASCAR experience for the whole family.?
The gates will open at Thunder Hill Raceway at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 1st. Racing will begin at 7:55 p.m.
Tickets went on sale Tuesday, August 2nd, and will continue through the day of the event, or until they?re sold out. Tickets are available through Texas Box Office, at
www.texasboxoffice.com, and at HEB stores. For more information visit the event website ,
www.texasthunder200.com.
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