It’s NASCAR race night at Texas Motor Speedway and we’ve got the actual race start time, the starting lineup and some other facts about tonight’s race for you below.
NASCAR At Texas Motor Speedway: 2012 Start Time, Starting Lineup, TV/Radio Schedule And More
What time does the race start tonight? Grand marshal Travis Pastrana – yes, that Travis Pastrana – will give the command to fire engines at 7:38 p.m. Eastern time (6:38 p.m. local time). Then, at 7:46 p.m., the green flag will wave and the race will get underway. So if you want to skip all the pre-race stuff and just tune in for the race itself, flip on your TV sets at 7:46 p.m.
NOTE: If you’re unable to watch the race, I’ll be providing Twitter updates here -- @jeff_gluck
Race name/distance: The Samsung Mobile 500 is 334 laps around the 1.5-mile Texas Motor Speedway, which gives it a total of 501 miles. They just call it “500” because “501” doesn’t sound right.
TV and radio: Tonight’s race can be seen on FOX. Every Sprint Cup Series race through May will be on the FOX network. Unfortunately, there is no live streaming of the race – but you can listen on the Performance Racing Network’s Web site (just click the red link). You can also check PRN’s site for a list of affiliate stations in your area.
National anthem: Kelly Hansen, the lead singer of the rock band Foreigner, will sing the anthem tonight. The flyover is being performed by F-15s based out of New Orleans.
Tickets: The Texas race is not a sellout, so if you want to make a last-minute trip to the track, you should be able to find face-value tickets.
Weather: The unofficial NASCAR weatherman, Brian Neudorff, predicts high winds and warm temperatures but anticipates the race will not get rained out by thunderstorms in the area. The storms are expected to stay north of the track, he said.
Last time: Matt Kenseth dominated the spring Texas race last April to break a 76-race winless skid, and Tony Stewart then won the fall Texas race as part of his run to the championship.
Starting lineup for tonight’s NASCAR race at Texas Motor Speedway:
- Martin Truex Jr.
- Matt Kenseth
- Greg Biffle
- Mark Martin
- Kasey Kahne
- Ryan Newman
- Marcos Ambrose
- Brad Keselowski
- Jamie McMurray
- Jimmie Johnson
- Paul Menard
- AJ Allmendinger
- Denny Hamlin
- Joey Logano
- Kevin Harvick
- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- Kyle Busch
- Clint Bowyer
- Trevor Bayne
- Carl Edwards
- David Ragan
- Casey Mears
- Aric Almirola
- Jeff Burton
- Juan Pablo Montoya
- Regan Smith
- Kurt Busch
- Landon Cassill
- Tony Stewart
- Bobby Labonte
- David Reutimann
- Josh Wise
- Michael McDowell
- Jeff Gordon
- David Gilliland
- JJ Yeley
- Travis Kvapil
- Scott Speed
- Reed Sorenson
- Scott Riggs
- Dave Blaney
- Tony Raines
- Mike Bliss
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