Bloggin' is Racin'

Local racing schedule (March 26-29)

UPDATED! Local dirt track and drag racing events in the North Texas area this weekend. Bad weather could postpone or cancel more events, so please check Web sites and/or call ahead to make sure the track hasn't changed its schedule.

Dirt tracks
Cowtown Speedway (Kennedale)
March 28 (Saturday): Racing has been canceled because of inclement weather.
More info: www.cowtownspeedway.com
Phone: 817-478-9952

Kennedale Speedway Park
March 28 (Saturday): Racing has been canceled because of inclement weather.
More info: www.kennedalespeedwayprk.com

Boyd Raceway
March 27 (Friday): XTO Energy employee night; regular program featuring IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Southern Sport Mods, IMCA Hobby Stocks & Mini Stocks
Tickets: $10 for adults; $5 for children 6-11; children under 6 are free; $25 for pit passes
More info: www.boydraceway.net

Heart O’ Texas Speedway (Elm Mott)
March 27 (Friday): Races canceled due to weather.
More info: www.heartotexspeedway.com
Phone: 254-829-2294

281 Speedway (Stephenville)
March 28 (Saturday): Test and tune, 4 p.m. until dark.
Opening night is April 18
More info: www.281speedway.com
Phone: 254-965-3092

Abilene Speedway
March 28 (Saturday): IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Hobby Stocks, IMCA Southern Ltd. Sportsmods and Late Models
Tickets: $10 for adults; $8 for military members; $5 for children 6-12; children under 6 are free; $25 for pit passes
More info: www.abilenespeedway.com
Phone: 325-692-8800 or 325-537-4494

Dragways
Texas Raceway (Kennedale)
March 26 (Thursday): Speedtek Performance Street Legal cars and bikes
March 27 (Friday): Racing canceled due to weather
March 28 (Saturday): Racing canceled due to weather
March 29 (Sunday): Street Wars and Run What You Brung
More info: www.texasraceway.com
Phone: 817-483-0356, metro 817-572-3580

North Star Dragway (Denton)
March 27 (Friday): Racing canceled due to weather.
March 28 (Saturday): Racing canceled due to weather.
March 29 (Sunday): Jr. Dragster Challenge
More info: www.northstar-dragway.com
Phone: 940-482-9998

Texas Motorplex (Ennis)
March 27 (Friday): Test and tune has been canceled due to weather.
March 28 (Saturday): National Hot Rod Diesel Drags, NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League Challenge
March 29 (Sunday): SW Championship VW Bug-In
More info: www.texasmotorplex.com
Phone: 972-878-2641

-- Michele Vincze

TMS to discount merchandise during Samsung 500 weekend

Texas Motor Speedway announced Thursday that race fans will be greeted with some big discounts on track apparel and souvenir items during the upcoming NASCAR Sprint Cup Samsung 500 weekend. Prices will be slashed from 18 to 55 percent on more than 40 items.

Fans can find the discounted items -- t-shirts, jackets, caps, novelty items -- at any of the 40 Speedway World souvenir trailers in the TMS fronstretch midway. There will also be a special clearance tent located outside Gate 1 during the race week. The tent will offer TMS, race event and driver items, some discounted to as low as $1.

Also, fans who spend $25 or more on merchandise in the Speedway World Gift Shop on April 3, will receive a poster of the Samsung 500 program cover created by NASCAR artist Sam Bass, who will be on hand to sign each poster. The gift shop opens at 9 a.m. and posters will be available while supplies last.

-- TMS release
Photo: Courtesy of Texas Motor Speedway

F1 stewards reject protest over questionable bodywork

Race stewards rejected a protest Thursday against the bodywork on the cars of three teams racing at this weekend's Formula One season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.
Ferrari, Renault and Red Bull lodged protests after pre-event inspections approved the cars of Williams, Toyota and Brawn. The protest alleged the teams had broken new aerodynamic laws restricting the size of the rear diffuser.
After hours of hearings late into the night, the race stewards rejected the protest and cleared the three teams to race with “their designs unchanged.”
“Following lengthy discussions with the various parties, stewards reiterated their belief that the cars are legal,” FIA said in a statement. “That decision is expected to be appealed, which would require a hearing of the FIA's International Court of Appeal. That would be unlikely to take place until after next weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix.”
Even before the stewards' hearing, the protesting teams had signaled their intention to appeal if the verdict went against them.
Williams, Toyota and race favorites Brawn will compete in Australia and Malaysia with their current bodywork design but with the fear that any points gained may be wiped out if the appeal succeeds.

Read more here.

-- The Associated Press