Travel Tips: Texas Motor Speedway

Texas Motor Speedway will play host to weekend night races for both the NASCAR Nationwide  O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 and Sprint Cup Series NRA 500. There is sure to be some entertaining, high-octane racing at this 1.5-mile racetrack.

The reigning winners for both series at this track are Kevin Harvick (Nationwide) and five-time champion Jimmie Johnson (Sprint Cup). When the checkered flag waved at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday, Johnson was your race winner and points leader.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. was your points leader going into Martinsville but due to car handling issues and a late spin that put him two laps down, he left that track sitting third in points. However, he will be racing at the track where he won his first race and is looking to rebound after his disappointing run last week. Will he prevail? You will just have to tune in to see what that night brings in “The Lone Star."

Lisa Janine Cloud and Debbie Ross will provide live coverage for Skirts & Scuffs at “The Great American Speedway” with great stories and photography, respectively. Be sure to follow them both on Twitter: @LJC777 and @dross411.

This week’s Travel Tips will consist of a few suggested places of interest that include local attractions and restaurants located in or near the Fort Worth, TX area.

Enjoy, Race Fans!

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Local Attractions:

American Airlines C.R. Smith Museum is approximately 30 minutes from the speedway, located at 4601 Texas Highway 360, Fort Worth, TX 76155. This 19-year old aviation museum, which was opened on July 3, 1993, is featuring a Boeing 747 exhibit along with eight additional exhibits that include a flight simulator. For days/hours of operation and pricing information, click here.

Cowtown Winery is approximately 25 minutes from the speedway, located at 112 West Exchange Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76164. This is a full production winery where the wine maker handcrafts all of the wines. In addition, there is live music offered to enhance the ambience. You can find days/hours of operation along with pricing information by clicking on the name of the venue.

Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame is approximately 50 minutes from the speedway, located at 128 East Exchange, Historic Barn A, Fort Worth, TX 76164. This historic museum was created to honor the accomplishments of the men and women who excelled “in the sport and business of rodeo and western lifestyle.” There are currently seven exhibits being showcased in the museum. For example, the Sterquell Wagon Collection is deemed the world’s largest collection of lifestyle wagons. For days/hours of operations, click here. For pricing information, click here.

For an additional listing of local attractions, click here.

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Local Restaurants:

Babe’s Chicken Dinner House is located at 104 North Oak Street, Roanoke, TX 76262, which is approximately five miles from the speedway. Adult menu items include fried chicken, chicken fried steak, green salad, mashed potatoes, cream gravy, grandma’s corn and buttermilk biscuits. Kid-friendly menu includes fried chicken leg, all veggies, salad and biscuits. Day/Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday, Lunch 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and Dinner 4:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.; Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.; Sunday 10:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Price Range: Not listed.

Oliva Italian Eatery is located at 12477 Timberland Boulevard, Suite 633, Fort Worth, TX 76244, which is approximately nine miles from the speedway. Menu options, click here. Days/Hours of Operation: Monday - Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.; Friday 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.; and Saturday 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Price Range: $3.99 - $21.99 (excluding tax).

The Classic Café at Roanoke is located at 504 North Oak Street, Roanoke, TX, which is five miles from the speedway. Menu options, click here. Day/Hours of Operation: Lunch (Mon.-Fri.) 11:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and Dinner (Mon.-Thurs.) 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. & (Fri.-Sat.) 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Price Range: $5.00 - $29.00 (excluding tax).

For an additional listing of local restaurants, click here.

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Texas Motor Speedway Online Fan Guide, click here.

Texas Motor Speedway Weekend Race Schedule, click here.

Texas Motor Speedway Weekend Weather Forecast, click here.

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Race Broadcast Schedule:

April 12 – NASCAR Nationwide Series: O’Reilly Auto Parts 300

TV: ESPN2, 8:30 p.m. ET / Radio: PRN, 8:30 p.m. ET

April 13 – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: NRA 500

TV: FOX Sports, 7:30 p.m. ET / Radio: PRN, 7:30 p.m. ET

Unique Hiram is an Associate Editor/Contributing Writer/Media Rep for Skirts and Scuffs. Additionally, she is also the author of "Fast Lane Poetry," which was published April 2011. Unique can be contacted via email or through Twitter.