Raceday: Observations and more

Looking ahead to the Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway:

THREE THINGS TO WATCH

1. Everyone seems to agree that the spoiler will get its first “true” test in the Cup race at Texas. What they don’t agree on is how much of a difference it will make. It will be the third race with the spoiler, but the first on a track 1.5 miles or longer. Stay tuned.

2. Tony Stewart will make his 400th career start in the best position possible – the pole. It’s his first pole in 155 races and he is looking for his second win at Texas. His first was in November 2006.

3. Here’s an unusual statistic: Only one driver currently in the top 12 in points – the number eligible for the Chase – has won this season. ANd that's Jimmie Johnson, with three). The other race winners – Jamie McMurray, Kurt Busch, Denny Hamlin and Ryan Newman – are all outside the top 12.

OBSERVATIONS

There's always the congeniality award

I’d love to know what possible reason anyone at Hendrick Motorsports should have for concerns about its dominance being detrimental to stock car racing.

I thought the point of racing was to win, and to win as much as possible. An organization that does so on such a consistent basis should be applauded.

But in racing, success is far too often criticized.

Good for the game

Interesting that Mark Martin now seems more open to doing other things in NASCAR than just driving. His passion and commitment surely can be put to good use.

JUST THE FACTS

Samsung 500

Where: Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, Texas

Track type: 1.5-mile paved, banked quad-oval.

Race distance: 334 laps or 501 miles

When: Green flag is Monday at noon Eastern.

Weather: Cloudy with a 60 percent chance of rain.

TV: Fox.

Radio: Performance Racing Network

NOTES

Race festival planned in Gastonia

The Home Builders Association of Gaston County is helping present the first “Gaston Speedfest,” a festival to benefit Habitat for Humanity of Gaston County.

The event is noon to 6 p.m. May 23 in the parking lot of Carolina-Harley Davidson on U.S. 74 in Gastonia. The festival will include music, cars, motorcycles, tool demonstrations, raffles and a pit stop demonstration. Admission is free.

For information on participating in the festival, call (704) 913-7550.

Take a bow, track workers A new program has been launched will recognize the efforts of track service personnel.

John Ridenour, the third operations employee hired at Texas Motor Speedway, is the first recipient of the "Extra Mile Award." ServiceMaster Clean is the sponsor.