TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY OFFERING EARNHARDT JR. $100,000 TO RUN BOMBARDIER LEARJET 550K ON JUNE 7
• IndyCar Star Danica Patrick Tells Junior On His XM Satellite Radio Show
That TMS Is The Place To Go If He Ever Wants To Run An Indy Car
FORT WORTH, Texas (May 2, 2008): IndyCar Series star Danica Patrick
recommended on Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s XM Satellite Radio show Thursday evening that if the NASCAR superstar ever wanted to swap cars and run an Indy car that Texas Motor Speedway would be the place to give it a shot.
Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage is wholeheartedly backing that recommendation by Patrick and giving Earnhardt Jr. 100,000 reasons why "The Great American Speedway!" is indeed the ideal choice. Gossage is offering $100,000 to Earnhardt Jr. if he would pay the IndyCar Series a visit and compete June 7 in the Bombardier Learjet 550k at Texas Motor Speedway. Gossage is open to presenting Earnhardt Jr. $100,000 in
cash or a check to his favorite charity for that amount if that is more to his liking.
"It was interesting to learn Dale Jr. and Danica discussed trading cars on his
'Unrestricted' show, and we're pleased Danica's track of choice for him would be Texas," Gossage said. "This idea came from that conversation last night and we would love to facilitate having Dale Jr. in an Indy car for the Bombardier Learjet 550k. After all, next to the Indy 500, it's the biggest IndyCar race of the year. Junior would make it even bigger."
The Bombardier Learjet 550k would not conflict with Earnhardt Jr.'s NASCAR
Sprint Cup race schedule, with this IndyCar Series race running Saturday night and the Cup race the following day (June 8) at Pocono Raceway. He also should be available for the opening IndyCar Series practice session on Thursday, June 5 from 7:40 to 9:10 p.m. CT.
The only conflict, depending on the Pocono schedule, would be qualifying Friday, June 6. IndyCar qualifying at Texas Motor Speedway is scheduled for 5:45 p.m. CT that same day.
"It is definitely possible schedule-wise and that's what made it intriguing to us," Gossage said. "We've spoken with the Indy Racing League, and Junior would have to pass a physical. The IRL's Competition Department would then have to make a decision on whether he would be approved for racing or would have to undergo a rookie test. Either way, there is time to fit in a rookie orientation test. Many of the IRL's top drivers have conducted their rookie tests here at Texas in the past."
Gossage also is confident that there would be plenty of available seats with teams to accommodate the whim of NASCAR's most popular driver.
"I would imagine any IRL team would make a car available for Dale Jr. because the event would have historical significance, would be a publicity boon and would continue to grow the series' tremendous momentum," Gossage said. "What a bonus it would be for the fans in Texas to see Dale Jr. make history here again. He won his first career Nationwideand Sprint Cup races here and this would further enhance the historical bond between him and Texas Motor Speedway."