Drivers Schedule Numerous Pit Stops In Chevy 500 Road Trip
FORT WORTH-DALLAS - A number of drivers, including three-time Indy 500 winner Johnny Rutherford, 1999 Indy Racing League Champion Greg Ray, 2002 Indy 500 Rookie of the Year Alex Barron, A.J. Foyt IV of the Indy Racing Pro Series and David Starr of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will be meeting and talking with race fans everywhere during the Chevy 500 Road Trip Aug. 27-30.
Texas Motor Speedway General Manager Eddie Gossage and Nate Love, regional marketing manager for Chevrolet, will also be part of the caravan as it makes pit stops at Chevrolet dealerships in seven cities to promote the Sept. 13 Silverado 350k NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race and the Sept. 15 Chevy 500k Indy Racing League season finale at Texas Motor Speedway.
"The Chevy 500 Road Trip is a great event for us," said Gossage. "Last year's trip was a great success and we hope to reach even more fans this year. What better way to spread the word about the championship Indy Racing event, one of the best truck races of the year and let people know about these up and coming drivers of the Pro Series.
"This will most likely be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many fans to meet drivers like Indy Racing legend Johnny Rutherford. It's also a great chance to meet current drivers like Greg Ray, Alex Barron, A.J. Foyt IV and David Starr," said Gossage. "These guys are among the most talented drivers in their respective series and we want folks to meet them and then come watch them do their thing during the Chevy 500 race week."
The Chevy 500 Road Trip will make stops in: Tulsa and Oklahoma City on Tuesday, Aug. 27; Houston and Austin on Wednesday, Aug. 28; Wichita Falls and Tyler on Thursday, Aug. 29; and finally, Dallas on Friday, Aug. 30. Drivers will make a midday or afternoon drive time visit at a Chevy dealership in each city.
The drivers will be making additional pit stops in two of the cities. While in Oklahoma City, the drivers will drop by the University of Oklahoma to make a special presentation to Coach Bob Stoops. In Houston, the group will pay a visit to Coach Dom Capers and the NFL's newest team, the Houston Texans.
"The pit stops at Chevrolet dealerships allow Chevrolet to share its motorsports experience with race fans outside of the speedway," explained Nate Love.
"Chevrolet's stellar racing heritage and track success is legendary. Our dealers are proud to bring a part of that into their communities as we prepare for a great weekend of racing in September."
The pace will be non-stop for the Chevy 500 Road Trip participants as they trek around the Southwest. Each participating dealership, in conjunction with radio partners, will invite fans to come to the dealership to welcome the Road Trip.
After arriving at each stop, the group will talk about their careers as well as the Chevy 500 race week activities. They will also take time to meet and greet the fans that come to the event, answering questions and signing autographs.
Fort Worth resident and three-time Indy 500 winner Johnny Rutherford is a member of a select group who won the Indianapolis 500 and an even more elite group of drivers who won it multiple times. He remains active in Indy Racing handling special projects and as the pace car driver for IRL races. Rutherford will be with the tour for the first three days.
"I think it is exciting to get a chance to meet the fans and talk to them about the event," said Rutherford. "I think the opportunity afforded by a trip like this is something you don't get everyday. It is especially sweet when it is near home because a lot of old friends may come out to visit with you."
Native Texan Greg Ray will be making tour stops in Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Dallas. The Plano resident was the 1999 IRL Series Champion and is running this season for fellow Texan A.J. Foyt.
IRL driver Alex Barron is also joining the tour. He has run consistently this season, winning his first IRL race at Nashville this year and finishing an impressive fourth in the Indy 500. He remains in the top five in points. Barron will be with the tour for the first three days.
A.J. Foyt IV, also a native Texan, is the grandson of Indy Racing legend A.J. Foyt. The younger Foyt began his quest this year for a career in Indy Racing by competing in the new development series for the Indy Racing League and has won three of the first four Pro Series races. Foyt will be participating at all tour stops.
Native Texan Starr, who will join the tour in Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Dallas, has remained in the top 10 in points this year. He finished third in the June truck race at Texas and is happy to be coming home to race again in front of friends and family.