Tracks: Texas Motor Speedway to Host Special Events
10 September 1998
SPEEDWAY TO HOST "WALKER, TEXAS RANGER" AND "SPRINT PCS GREAT AMERICAN TAXI RACE" DURING L ONE STAR 500 RACE WEEKFORT WORTH-DALLAS - Chuck Norris, star of the hit television series "Walker, Texas Ranger" and his son, Eric, were on-hand at Texas Motor Speedway to announce plans for an upcoming episode featuring the 1.5-mile superspeedway. Filming will focus on the Cowtown 250 ARCA event on Sept 19, in which Eric will be competing.
"This is an episode we've wanted to do for some time" said Chuck Norris. "We do a lot of Native American themes in our show. The screenplay for this particular episode is about a Native American race team -- Team Cherokee. I'm looking forward to doing this particular episode because then I get to do something other than driving around in my truck chasing bad guys," he laughed.
"This is a great way for me to get to run at Texas Motor Speedway, "said the younger Norris. "I've really wanted to that for some time, it's a great facility."
Eric has been competing in the NASCAR Winston West series this year.
"Yeah, we're usually the team that doesn't qualify because of a broken motor," he laughed. "But we're a brand new team this year. I guess we.re actually doing pretty well. I ran (NASCAR Craftsman Series) trucks a little bit last year, but this is the first year we've raced consistently."
"I told him he's going to have to be out in front, or way in the back to make it look like he's in front of everyone else," joked Chuck. "Actually, I think he's a good driver and has a chance to do pretty well." Spoken like a true father.
The remainder of the episode will be shot in November and is scheduled to air sometime in January 1999 on CBS.
CABBIES COMPETE FOR TOP HONORS -- Twelve local cab drivers representing three local cab companies will be competing for a trophy and prizes in the "Sprint PCS Great American Taxi Race." The event will be the pre-race show for the Sunday, Sept. 20 Lone Star 500 IRL event . In the spirit of the Olympic games and other international competitions, the drivers chosen to compete represent countries from around the world.
"We're very pleased to be sponsoring this event," said Steve Geldmacher, area vice president for North Texas Sprint PCS. "I think this will be a lot of fun for participants and spectators alike."
The three representative participants, who actually rolled onto the press conference stage in a taxi, were Nana Mensah of Ghanna; Ali Razaghzadengan of Iran and Native American Johnny Carney.
"We believe this event will showcase our companies as the largest providers of ground transportation in North Central Texas," said Karl Kuhlman, vice president of development for Terminal Taxi, Choice Cabs and Big Tex Taxi. "The drivers participating are excited to be representing their country of origin as well as their cab company."
The winner will receive a special trophy and $500 in cash from Choice Cabs, Terminal Taxi and Big Tex Taxi. Second place will receive $200 and $100 goes to the third place finisher . The competition will take place on pit road and the -mile track on the front portion of the superspeedway. Each driver will attempt run the fastest time while "safely" making their way through an obstacle course, including picking up "passengers", stopping at a Sprint PCS Store for a phone call, going through a toll booth and parallel parking.
