FORT WORTH – A photographic look at the racing action on Thursday at Texas Motor Speedway. All photos provided courtesy of Texas Motor Speedway, NASCAR and Getty Images.
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers Brian Vickers and Danica Patrick pose in Victory Lane during a press event as Stewart-Haas Racing unveils the No. 14 TaxAct Military Files Free Chevrolet that Vickers will race on Saturday night at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2016 in Fort Worth, Texas. Photo by Sean Gardner/Stewart-Haas Racing via Getty Images
Daniel Suarez, driver of the #19 Juniper Networks Toyota, speaks to the media during a press conference prior to practie for the NASCAR XFINITY Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2016 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/NASCAR via Getty Images)
Brandon Jones, driver of the #33 Texas Rangers Chevrolet, stands in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR XFINITY Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2016 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images for Texas Motor Speedway)
Brandon Jones, driver of the #33 Texas Rangers Chevrolet, practices for the NASCAR XFINITY Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2016 in Fort Worth, Texas. Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images
A detailed view of the helmet of Daniel Suarez, driver of the #19 Juniper Networks Toyota, in the garage area during practie for the NASCAR XFINITY Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2016 in Fort Worth, Texas. Photo by Jared C. Tilton/NASCAR via Getty Images
Ty Dillon, driver of the #3 Bulwark Chevrolet, stands in the garage area during practie for the NASCAR XFINITY Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2016 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/NASCAR via Getty Images)
Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Jimmy John’s Chevrolet, practices for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Duck Commander 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2016 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images for Texas Motor Speedway)
Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, speaks to the media during a press conference prior to practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Duck Commander 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2016 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/NASCAR via Getty Images)
Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet, practices for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Duck Commander 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2016 in Fort Worth, Texas. Photo by Robert Laberge/NASCAR via Getty Images
Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #78 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Boats Toyota, practices for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Duck Commander 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2016 in Fort Worth, Texas. Photo by Jared C. Tilton/NASCAR via Getty Images
AJ Allmendinger, driver of the #47 Kroger/Bush’s Beans Chevrolet, practices for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Duck Commander 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2016 in Fort Worth, Texas. Photo by Robert Laberge/NASCAR via Getty Images
Ryan Blaney, driver of the #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Ford, practices for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Duck Commander 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2016 in Fort Worth, Texas. Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images for Texas Motor Speedway
Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 Interstate Batteries Toyota, practices for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Duck Commander 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2016 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Robert Laberge/NASCAR via Getty Images)
Elliott Sadler, driver of the #1 OneMain Chevrolet, practices for the NASCAR XFINITY Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2016 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Robert Laberge/NASCAR via Getty Images)
Darrell Wallace Jr., driver of the #6 Fastenal Ford, practices for the NASCAR XFINITY Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2016 in Fort Worth, Texas. Photo by Robert Laberge/NASCAR via Getty Images
Carl Edwards, driver of the #19 Stanley Toyota, sits in his car during practie for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Duck Commander 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2016 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/NASCAR via Getty Images)
Danica Patrick, driver of the #10 Nature’s Bakery Chevrolet, looks on from the garage during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Duck Commander 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2016 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images for Texas Motor Speedway)
Erik Jones, driver of the #20 GameStop/Turtle Beach Toyota, practices for the NASCAR XFINITY Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2016 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Robert Laberge/NASCAR via Getty Images)
Brendan Gaughan, driver of the #62 WIX Filters Chevrolet, walks through the garage area during practice for the NASCAR XFINITY Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2016 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, sits in his car during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Duck Commander 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2016 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Erik Jones, driver of the #20 GameStop/Turtle Beach Toyota, practices for the NASCAR XFINITY Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 7, 2016 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Mike Haag has covered motorsports in San Antonio and South Texas for more than 39 years. In addition to covering motorsports for the San Antonio Express-News for nearly 28 years, Mike also has co-hosted TrackSmack with Dawn Murphy for 19 race seasons. In addition to being a writer, Mike taught high school English and Journalism for 30 years before retiring in May, 2020.
By Mike Haag