By Gustavo Arellano
By R. Scott Moxley
By Alfonso Delgado
By Courtney Hamilton
By Joel Beers
By Peter Maguire
By Charles Lam
By Charles Lam
NASCAR drama isn't just for the big screen. The sport continues to grow in popularity, as Hollywood picks up the cue with Pixar creating the animated film Cars and Will Ferrell starring in the giant summer hit Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. Can Snakes on a Stock Car be far behind?
Expect the sizzle to continue this weekend as the third-annual NASCAR night race comes to the beautiful, grandiose two-mile California Speedway in Fontana. The 2006 season is sweat-drenched with the kind of real-life drama fans dream about: drivers quitting teams, teams sacking drivers, a team owner under fire for dating his 25-year-old racer. Tension is thick, which promises havoc on the track—and possibly in the parking lot—as never before.
Opening this weekend and adding to the experience is the newly renovated multimillion-dollar Opportunity California Fan Zone, which hosts a Wolfgang Puck restaurant and a mile-long stretch of fan merchandise and promo booths. The Midway also includes a concert stage that this year boasts platinum artists Puddle of Mudd—just in case the sound of cars on the track isn't loud enough for you!
Have sunscreen, ear plugs (for the stands) and beer money; pick a fave driver; and head to the greatest three-day NASCAR event in California history! In the words of Ricky Bobby, "Yeah! Turn up the heat!"
NASCAR at the California Speedway, 9300 Cherry Ave., Fontana, (800) 944-RACE; www.californiaspeedway.com. Relocate Here 200, Fri.; Ameriquest 300, Sat.; Sony HD 500 and Puddle of Mudd in concert, Sun. Call or visit website for start times. $40-$155 (concert included in Sunday ticket price).