Courtesy: Texas Motor Speedway

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.

Courtesy: Texas Motor Speedway News Release

• Mario’s Ultimate Grilling Challenge Looking For Fans To Share Their Top Grilling Recipe

• Winner Tailgates With Batali, Ray And Enjoys VIP Race Package From TMS For The Dickies 500 NASCAR Weekend

FORT WORTH, Texas (April 29, 2008): “The Great American Speedway!” meets “The Great American Chefs!”

Two of America’s most prominent and recognized chefs – Mario Batali and Rachael Ray – will be among the sea of tailgaters that will converge on Texas Motor Speedway in November for the Dickies 500 NASCAR triple-header weekend.

Batali and Ray officially kicked off a promotion Monday in which one lucky fan that showcases their culinary skills will get the opportunity to tailgate with them in grand fashion prior to the Dickies 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race Nov. 2 at “The Great American Speedway!”

Mario’s Ultimate Grilling Challenge Sponsored by Viva ® Paper Towels is looking for fans to submit their best grilling recipe with a video demonstration through July 30 on the contest website, http://mariobatali.com/grillingcontest. Following the entry phase of the contest, select video recipes will be available for viewing on the website and give fans an opportunity to see how they may stack up to the competition while the judging is ongoing.

Seven quarterfinalists will be chosen by a select panel in September and their recipes will be posted on the website for site members to vote for and rank in order of preference. The top three entries after a two-week voting period will advance to the semifinal round. The grand-prize winner will be chosen by the panel in October and announced on The Rachael Ray Show.

The winner will then get the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to cook their winning recipe alongside Batali and Ray during a special tailgate party in the TMS infield. Also joining Batali and Ray for the festivities will be local Tim Love, a 2007 Iron Chef America champion and proprietor of the renowned Lonesome Dove Western Bistro in Fort Worth.

“We’re excited to have two of America’s most recognizable chefs visit us, and even more proud of the fact that Mario chose ‘The Great American Speedway!’ as the host site for such a special event,” Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage said. “This definitely takes
tailgating to another level.”

The winner and a guest will receive round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations for three nights, VIP ticket package to the Dickies 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race (Nov. 2) and the O’Reilly Challenge Nationwide Series race (Nov. 1), dinner for two at The Speedway Club, complimentary Speedway Club membership and a VIP pace car ride during the event weekend (winner only).

No purchase is necessary for fans to enter Mario’s Ultimate Grilling Challenge Sponsored by Viva® Paper Towels and the Food Bank For New York City will benefit from every entry. UNCLE BEN’S ® will donate $1 to the food bank for every entry (minimum of $5,000 and up to $20,000).