By BRIAN MAHONEY
AP Basketball Writer
NEW ORLEANS – David Stern is going from the NBA commissioner’s office to the Hall of Fame.
The recently retired Stern was elected Friday to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and will be enshrined with the class of 2014 on Aug. 8 in Springfield, Mass.
Stern was on a ski trip to Colorado on Friday with his wife while the NBA was holding its first All-Star weekend without him in charge since 1983. New Commissioner Adam Silver and many other league employees who worked under Stern attended the press conference.
“I wanted to be here for David because I knew he wasn’t in New Orleans this weekend. Just to be here to share the experience and then relay it back to him what the feel in the room was,” said Silver, who worked under Stern since 1992.
“As I said earlier, while David is a modest guy, I know he was moved by the fact this was all happening so quickly, and he has always told me he doesn’t like to reflect back sort of on his life or his career, but this will certainly force him to. And I know this is an emotional moment for him and it’s an emotional moment for everybody who has worked with him over these years.”
Alonzo Mourning, Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond, Kevin Johnson and Spencer Haywood are hoping to be part of the class. They were chosen as finalists, with the full class to be unveiled April 7 during the NCAA Final Four.
Hardaway and Richmond were teammates in Golden State and made up the Warriors’ “Run TMC” trio along with Chris Mullin, who was elected to the Hall in 2011.
Stern retired on Feb. 1 after exactly 30 years as commissioner, during which he brought the league to its greatest success. Jerry Colangelo, chairman of the Hall of Fame board, said the Hall hopes to have a special spot to display a tribute to Stern.
“He deserves to be recognized in a huge way,” Colangelo said.
Stern was elected by the contributors committee. Also directly elected to the Hall of Fame were Lithuania star Sarunas Marciulionis by the international committee, former Indiana Pacers coach Bob “Slick” Leonard by the ABA committee, former New York Knicks player Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton by the early African-American pioneers committee, and former Temple star Guy Rodgers by the veterans committee.
College coaches Eddie Sutton, Nolan Richardson and Gary Williams were also finalists, as were former women’s coach Harley Redin and the women’s team from Immaculata College, which won three straight national championships.

History Making Second Win at Daytona 500

By: Gwen DeRu

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. won a spirited and emotional Daytona 500 this past Sunday.  It  marked his second victory at the track – his first was in 2004.

MRN’s Dustin Long said…. ‘the Son Always Rises.’   (Can you imagine?)

Dale, Sr. helped make NASCAR what it is today so the sport was focused on the return of the No. 3 Car – a number that had not been used since Dale Earnhardt, Sr.’s fatal crash in the 2001 Daytona 500.

But, Sunday night, after hours of delayed racing due to rainy weather, Dale Jr. drove his car to victory after blocking competitors, squeezing teammates and racing to the finish.

He has had three runner-up finishes at the past four Daytona 500s.  This time he said I am going to win this race…. and he did.

Here is a little from NASCAR’s interview with Dale Earnhardt, Jr. after the race:
QUESTION: Have you had much of a sense of the reaction from your fans?

DALE EARNHARDT, JR.: Not really.  Seeing the videos was really the first bit of reaction I’ve seen.  It’s been hectic as far as the schedule that we’ve had.  So when I sit down to all those videos, especially the kid crying, it gets me emotional seeing their emotions because I know what the win means to me.  To see what it means for someone else, how it affects someone else is such a reward.  It is a really awesome thing when you can do something that brings joy to someone else.  There is no greater feeling for me anyway.  So I did like that obviously.

QUESTION: Your excitement on Sunday night was a lot of fun to watch as you came into the media center.  It struck me even like your session on Thursday, you had this upbeat feel compared to the way you were a couple, three years ago.  Certainly how you’re up right now is easy to understand.  Can you describe where you were in life that had you looking so glum a couple years ago and what has really perked you up even before obviously Sunday?

DALE EARNHARDT JR.:  We weren’t running good.  We were struggling.  I think people underestimated how much I care about performance.  I don’t think people realized how much winning mattered to me.
When you look at the critics and you look at their comments, aside from people saying I was overrated, they would always say I didn’t have killer instinct, I didn’t have the stuff that I needed to drive to win a championship, I didn’t want it bad enough.
I never was bothered by being called ‘overrated’ because it’s such a broad term.  When people really pick at your determination, your drive, your hunger, that bothered me more than anything else did, because I grew up around the sport and I love it to death.  I would do anything for NASCAR.  I’d do anything for the health of the sport.  I’d sacrifice anything for it.
When you don’t run good, it makes you upset, it disappoints you.  If you look at how happy I was Sunday after winning that race, you’ll know how bad I want to win, you’ll know how much winning means to me, and you’ll know from now on that there’s no questioning my killer instinct or drive, whatever term you want to use.
When you don’t run good, I don’t know why, in ’09, ’10, we were 20th, 25th every week.  I look at that now, I can’t even imagine it.  But I know I went through it.
It’s such a long ways from where we are now.  Ran so good when we first came into the sport.  Then to go through that, get so far away from being competitive, then to come all the way back to where we are now, I can’t even begin to tell you how grateful I am and thankful I am that (indiscernible) didn’t give up on me, that Rick Hendrick didn’t give up on me, that they believed in me, were trying to find ways to make the chemistry work, regardless of what anybody said, regardless of what the critics were saying, when everybody was saying I was finished, whether I was going to do anything ever again.
I’ve been pretty vindicated, but I’m in a good place now.  I got my priorities in better shape.  I feel, like I said, we’re embarking on a season that could be something really special for me.
Whether we win the championship or not remains to be seen obviously.  But I had one of my greatest years last year, and I think we can top that this season.

QUESTION:  Dale, even with your huge volume of fans, you probably added even more new fans with the 500 win.  What would you share with your fans?  What would you say about what your fans mean to you?

DALE EARNHARDT JR.:  I just hope they’re enjoying this win as much as I am.  They should celebrate it, celebrate it long.  If you’re a fan of a sports team, fan of the Washington Redskins, right?  They have won Super Bowls in the past.  They’re another storied franchise.  They haven’t won a Super Bowl since 1991.
You face the trials and tribulations in the tough years.  Every off-season you look at changes they made.  You hope they’re going to turn it around.  You hope they will, regardless if they will.  Even if you don’t know about the new coach, even if you question the changes they made, but you still put that belief and faith in them because you want them to win.
When that finally happens, like when they finally do win games and go to the playoffs, you love to celebrate it.  I hope they do.  I hope they celebrate that victory.  I hope they’re enjoying themselves this week.  I hope they enjoy the coverage.  I hope they think I’m doing a good job representing Junior Nation.  I hope they appreciate the coverage.
The new fans, I heard a couple people tell me they’re fans now.  Never watched a race.  Now they’re a NASCAR fan.  The race was fun and crazy to watch, now they’re fans.  I think we turned on a lot of people Sunday.  I think that race was destined to do that for some reason.  It had kind of that feel, that ’79 Daytona that was first live flag-to-flag broadcast that really turned the world on to what we were doing through network television.
My race might not have had that kind of impact, but it’s comparable I think in ways.  Yeah, hopefully this is going to be a solid year.  NASCAR made some changes to try to kick start some energy and boost awareness and excitement in what our series can do.  I think we got a great start to the year, for sure.

NASCAR returns to Talladega Superspeedway in 2014 with the Aaron’s Dream Weekend, which is set for May 2-4.  The NASCAR Nationwide Series and ARCA Racing Series will take to the track on Saturday, May 3 while NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series machines take the green flag on Sunday, May 4. For ticket information, log onto www.talladegasuperspeedway.com.

(Talladega Superspeedway races are May 2-4, 2014 and October 18-19, 2014.)

Here we come Talladega Superspeedway!
This is more than a Race!    THIS IS TALLADEGA!
(Some taken from NASCAR and MRN’s Dustin Long)

LOS ANGELES (AP) – History? Pressure? Jason Collins would have none of it after becoming the NBA’s first openly gay player.
After all, there was a game to play.
“Right now I’m focusing on trying to learn the plays, learning the coverages and the game plan and the assignments. So I didn’t have time to really think about history,” Collins said at a crowded press conference less than an hour before his Brooklyn Nets faced the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night.
Collins signed a 10-day contract with the Nets earlier Sunday and played 10 scoreless minutes with two rebounds and five fouls in the Nets’ 108-102 victory.
“I know that I can play in the NBA and it felt good to be out there tonight,” he said afterward.
The 35-year-old center revealed at the end of last season he is gay, but he was a free agent and had remained unsigned.
Collins said he was aware of the magnitude of his signing, which made him the first openly gay player in the four major U.S. professional sports leagues, but repeatedly said he was most concerned with learning the Nets’ schemes.
“The pressure is playing in an NBA game tonight and last time I played in an NBA game was last April,” Collins said. “So I think that’s enough pressure right there.”
With a need for another big man, the Nets turned to the 7-foot Collins, who helped them reach two NBA Finals in the early 2000s.
“The decision to sign Jason was a basketball decision,” general manager Billy King said in a statement. “We needed to increase our depth inside, and with his experience and size, we felt he was the right choice for a 10-day contract.”
Collins entered the game with 10:28 left in the second quarter and the Nets leading 35-26 after Nick Young made the first of his two free throws. The crowd welcomed him with a nice ovation when public address announcer Lawrence Tanter announced his name.
Walking to the scorer’s table to check into the game for the first time, “It felt like, `I’ve done this a thousand times before,’ `’ Collins said. `’You go to the scorer’s table, you hear what the play’s going to be for the next offensive play and you go out there. Once you’re out on the court, it’s basketball. It’s what I’ve been doing for almost three decades.”
Collins has played 12 NBA seasons, including his first seven with the Nets, when they were in New Jersey and Jason Kidd was their point guard. Kidd is now the Nets’ coach and Collins has been a teammate of several other current Nets.
“Jason told us that his goal was to earn another contract with an NBA team. Today, I want to commend him on achieving his goal. I know everyone in the NBA family is excited for him and proud that our league fosters an inclusive and respectful environment,” Commissioner Adam Silver said.
The Collins news comes as Michael Sam, the SEC co-defensive player of the year from Missouri who recently revealed he is gay, is taking part in the NFL draft combine. Sam’s on-field workouts in Indianapolis are scheduled for Monday.
Collins was asked if he felt the tide is turning regarding gay players coming out, including Sam.
“I hope so. What Michael said was it was about him being a football player and me being a basketball player, and going out there and trying to help our respective teams win,” Collins said.
He played 38 games last season with Boston and Washington and averaged 1.1 points and 1.6 rebounds in limited minutes. For his career, the 7-foot Collins averages 3.6 points and 3.8 rebounds.
Collins’ announcement last spring was followed by numerous NBA players insisting he would be welcomed in the locker room. Collins has played for five other teams and is well respected inside and outside the league – he attended the State of the Union as a guest of first lady Michelle Obama.
“I just know Jason as a person and as a player. That’s what I’m happy about. He has earned it. He’s a great guy. It’s good for the league. The important thing is to judge him as a person and a basketball player,” Chicago coach Tom Thibodeau said.
“I know people who have coached him, and I know how highly thought of he is.”
Former Suns player Kevin Johnson, now Sacramento’s mayor, said he saw Collins two weeks ago at the White House “and I thanked him for his courage and being strong and wished him well and to keep fighting hard.
“I think it’s incredible for him. I think it’s incredible for the league. If I’m on the Nets, my commitment is I want to get in the playoffs and I want to go far. All that is fine but I need him to win games and I think he’s up for that challenge.”
The Nets had an opening for a big man after trading Reggie Evans along with Jason Terry to Sacramento on Wednesday for guard Marcus Thornton. King said Thursday that Collins would be among the players they would look at, insisting they wouldn’t be concerned about any extra attention the signing of Collins would provide.
“We’re going to bring in a basketball player,” King said. “It’s not about marketing or anything like that.”
The Nets posted a photo on their Twitter account of Kidd watching Collins sign his contract, encouraging followers to retweet it to welcome Collins to Brooklyn.
Collins is third in Nets’ history with 511 games played, and also ranks in their top 10 in minutes played, and offensive rebounds and total rebounds. A limited offensive player, the Nets hope he still provides a presence defensively and on the boards.
“I know Jason Collins is a competitor. One thing I know about him is he fouls very hard,” Miami’s Dwayne Wade said with a laugh. “He’s one of those tough veterans. I’m sure he’s happy to be back playing in the league. Welcome back.”
Since making his announcement last year, “Life is more exciting for me,” Collins said. “I mean, I don’t have to hide who I am and I can be my normal self. The past 10 months have been incredible. I’m making new friends, hearing different people’s stories, sharing experiences. It’s just been an overall positive.”
Collins grew up in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles and has a house here, so there was some normalcy to his day.
“It was pretty easy for me just to come to the game tonight,” Collins said, “drive down the 405, take the 10 and get here in 20 minutes.”

Organizations mark Classic by renewing partnership

BIRMINGHAM – Alabama Power and B.A.S.S. signed a conservation partnership agreement at the Bassmaster Classic’s media day at Regions Field.
The agreement – or memorandum of understanding (MOU) – provides a partnership framework to enhance and maintain productivity of sport-fishing resources on the 11 lakes managed by Alabama Power. The company, B.A.S.S. and local B.A.S.S. Nation clubs are working to improve fish survival rates at local tournaments that will be announced this summer.
“We have earmarked more than $20,000 for in-state stewardship this year,” said Bruce Akin, B.A.S.S. CEO. “We again look forward to working with Alabama Power to enhance and protect water resources and fish habitat in our home state.”
Since the two organizations signed their first MOU in 1992, B.A.S.S. Nation members across the state have been heavily involved in protecting warm-water resources through Alabama Power’s Renew Our Rivers and Fish Habitat programs.
“A common interest in Alabama’s waterways led to our first partnership more than two decades ago,” said Mike Godfrey, Alabama Power environmental affairs manager. “Since it was signed, that partnership has helped grow two of our state’s largest stewardship programs. Today, we look toward new partnerships to benefit Alabama waterways.”
Since 1993, Alabama Power employees, B.A.S.S. Nation members and community volunteers have partnered to build and install more than 56,000 fish attraction devices on 10 lakes managed by Alabama Power. The devices provide bedding and cover for fish, and GPS coordinates on the company’s website allow anglers to return and fish these spots.
In 2000, B.A.S.S. Nation members again joined with Alabama Power employees and community volunteers to help grow Renew Our Rivers. Marking its 15th year in 2014, the program has made a remarkable impact in protecting state waterways – drawing more than 56,000 participants and removing more than 13.5 million pounds of trash across the Southeast.
The partnership agreement is one of many ways the company is working to improve Alabama. As an event sponsor, Alabama Power supports the expected $20 million economic impact of the Bassmaster Classic event to the state.

For more information on Renew Our Rivers and the 11 lakes managed by Alabama Power, visit AlabamaPower.com<http://www.alabamapower.com/> and click “Lake Conditions” on the left.

GLENCOE, Ala. – The Hurricane Junior Golf Tour heads to Alabama for the first time this year when they travel to Silver Lakes on March 8-9.  The Central Alabama Jr. Open will be ranked by the Junior Golf Scoreboard. The tournament is open to boy and girl golfers between the ages of 11-18.  There’s a lot up for grabs at Silver Lakes as well.  With the new AJGA Performance Based Entry for the 2014 season, all four age divisions are eligible to receive AJGA Performance Stars as long as the specific field requirements are met.  In addition, winners in all divisions will receive an invite to the HJGT’s 2014 Tour Championship and Mid-Seasonal Invitational.  Top 10 finishers will earn valuable points for end of the year honors, including the inaugural Hurricane Cup.
Central Alabama Jr. Open will be a 36-hole stroke play event. The first round will begin on Saturday with a double tee start running from 10a.m.-12p.m. The final round will also be double tee start on Sunday with times ranging from 8a.m.-10a.m. The registration fee is $185 for members and $215 for non-members. For membership information, please refer to our website (www.hjgt.org/basic-membership/)
AJGA Performance Stars are up for grabs if the field size requirements are met and winners in all divisions will receive an invitation to the 2014 Tour Championship. Also the top 10 finishers will earn points toward end of the year honors, which include All-HJGT teams, state teams, and points towards the inaugural Hurricane Cup.
Silver Lakes located in Glencoe, Alabama is a photographer’s dream and everything a golfer could imagine. This golf course has two beautiful courses that this tournament is held on; Heartbreaker and Mindbreaker. The Heartbreaker nine is dubbed by many as the most challenging nine on the Trail and provides three of the best finishing holes. Holes 7, 8, and 9 take you from the highest elevation on the property to the lowest. The Mindbreaker nine is aptly named as a variety of uphill and downhill approaches will have you second-guessing your shot decisions throughout the round.
Central Alabama Jr. Open
March 8-9, 2014
Silver Lakes- Mindbreaker/Heartbreaker
1 SunBelt Parkway
Glencoe, AL 35905
Registration Deadline: February 19, 2014
Experience #theHurricaneDifference!

   Howard University has announced its 2014 football schedule.  The Bison, who are coming off a 6-6 season, open the campaign in a non-conference game at the University of Akron on August 30.  They will follow with another non-conference game at Rutgers on September 6.
“We will find out early about who we are when we face two tough opponents in Akron and Rutgers,” said Howard head coach Gary Harrell.  “Our goal is to play a 12, one-game season, win the MEAC and compete in the playoffs.  Our September and October schedule will tell us a lot about who we are.”
Following the game at Rutgers, Howard will take on Morehouse in the AT&T Nation’s Football Classic at RFK Stadium on September 13.  The Bison will then take on Morgan State on September 20 and will play their first home game on September 27 when they host North Carolina A&T.
 Howard will then travel to Durham, N.C. to play North Carolina Central on October 4, followed by another road game in Daytona Beach, Fla. against defending MEAC champion Bethune Cookman on October 11.
Then comes homecoming against the Rattlers of Florida A&M on October 18.
Following a bye week, the Bison will host Delaware State on November 1, followed by road games at Savannah State on October 8 and at first time non-conference opponent Central Connecticut State on October 15.
Howard will close out the regular season against the Pirates of Hampton University on November 22.  That will be Senior Day.
“I am very excited about our home schedule,” said Harrell.  “We have NC A&T, FAMU for homecoming, an always tough Delaware State and finally Hampton in the Battle of the Real HU to close out the season.”
The following is the 2014 schedule:
DATE                                 OPPONENT                                    LOCATION                          TIME
August 30                            Akron                                             Akron, OH                               TBA
September 6                       Rutgers                                         Piscataway, NJ                         TBA
September 13                     Morehouse  AT&T Nations’ Football Classic    R.F.K. StadiumWashington, DC
3:30pm
September 20                    Morgan State                                     TBA                                      TBA
September 27                    NC A&T State                            Washington, DC                        1pm
October 4                           N. C. Central                               Durham, NC                              1pm
October 11                         Bethune-Cookman                    Daytona Beach, FL                   TBA
October 18
Florida A&M
Homecoming
Washington, DC
1 pm
October 25
BYE

November 1
Delaware State
Washington, DC
1pm
November 8
Savannah State
Savannah, GA
TBA
November 15
Central Conn. State
New Britain, CT
TBA
November 22
Hampton
Washington, DC
1pm
Extensions by Siteground Web Hosting

Special to The Times
The teams, fans and alumni of Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference sports roll into Birmingham Monday with a week full of championship basketball, special events and lots of fun March 3 -8.
The Bill Harris Arena will be the host venue for the round ball action for men’s and women’s teams.  Other events are planned throughout the area.
“Birmingham is an excellent place for the SIAC tournament and all of its affiliated championship events,” said Gregory Moore, SIAC commissioner.  “Alabama is home to three SIAC member institutions – Miles College, Stillman College and Tuskegee University. We know there is a strong fan base here, because of the alumni from these colleges as well as other SIAC institutions.
In addition to Miles, Stillman and Tuskegee, the SIAC includes Albany State University, Benedict College, Central State University,  Claflin University, Clark Atlanta University,  Fort Valley State University, Kentucky State University, Lane College, Lemoyne-Owen College, Morehouse College, and Paine College. Spring Hill College in Mobile is slated to join the conference in the fall and will be the 15th member.
“We want people from throughout the Southeast to come and see quality teams on the court, and we want young people from the area to come to the games and special events,” Moore said. “Our goal is to inspire them so that they will want to continue their education in college at a SIAC member institution.”
A college fair, featuring each of the SIAC member colleges is set to start at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 4 at the Birmingham CrossPlex.
“We have invited high school juniors and seniors from Birmingham and surrounding areas.  We are also working with school systems to arrange transportation,” Moore said. “The SIAC is a sports conference, but our main goal is to encourage academic success.”
Students are encouraged to bring their transcripts and a report of their ACT or SAT scores, said Commissioner Moore. “Last year, many young people were awarded scholarships on the spot and ultimately, almost 100 young people enrolled into SIAC colleges and universities the following fall. We want to see students from the Birmingham enjoying that same type of experience this year,” Moore said.
Also on Tuesday at 7 p.m., a cheer and dance competition will be held at the CrossPlex  featuring teams from Albany State University, Benedict College, Claflin University, Kentucky State University and Miles College. The competition will be hosted by Tasha Simone of Birmingham’s HOT 107.7 FM.
On Wednesday, the SIAC will host its 2014 SIAC Hall of Fame Gala at the Fairfield Civic Center. This will be the first induction for the conference’s Hall of Fame since 2000 and will feature 15 former student -athletes, coaches and administrators, Moore said. The event begins at 7 p.m.
Moore  said the SIAC has  received an enthusiastic welcome from Birmingham city and corporate leaders.
“The mayor and the city council have indicated their support, and we have received support from several leading companies in the area. The alumni from Miles, Stillman, Tuskegee and other member institutions also are supportive,” he said. “This type of response shows that Birmingham really wants us here.”
For more information or to request media credentials for the tournament, visit www.thesiac.com. For the latest updates on the SIAC Tournament, “Like” the SIAC Tournament on Facebook and follow the SIAC on Twitter www.twitter.com/thesiac.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. –  Neither the weather or SIUE could stop Tennessee State from sending off its seniors with a, 66-61, victory on Thursday night in the Gentry Center.
In a game that was delayed for 30 minutes at halftime because of a tornado warning, senior Patrick Miller led all scorers with 23 points on 8-of-17 shooting. The contest marked the 40th straight game that the Chicago native has scored at least 10 points.
Fellow senior Chaed Wellian had a career-night, pouring in a new personal best 12 points and junior M.J. Rhett had his 14th double-double of the season, notching 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Senior Jacquan Nobles scored three points and grabbed four boards in his final home game.
Each of TSU’s three seniors hit triples to start the game and Wellian’s put the Tigers in front, 9-3, with only a minute-and-a-half gone.
SIUE (11-17, 7-7 OVC) responded with a 9-2 run to take the lead at 12-11, but Rhett finally got the Tigers back on track with a strong dunk off of a nice assist from Miller.
The two sides went back-and-forth for the next six minutes, but a third-straight great play from Miller – this time finding Rhett again for an easy layup – prompted SIUE head coach Lennox Forrester to call timeout with his team trailing, 25-24, with 7:53 to go in the first half.
The Cougars used the pep-talk to score six straight points and re-take the lead and head into the break up, 33-30.
The Tigers outshot SIUE in the first half (46 to 39 percent) and had more rebounds (19 versus 14), but turned the ball over seven times, leading to 10 Cougar points.
A mammoth one-handed dunk by Miller at the 15:58 mark put TSU back in control, 41-39, but the Tigers couldn’t put together consecutive field goals.
Tennessee State (4-24, 2-11 OVC) eventually gained a little ground when Miller hit threes on back-to-back trips down the court to move ahead by four, 58-54, with 5:18 to go.
An assist from Miller led to another Rhett layup from in close, allowing the Tigers to take a five-point advantage with just over one minute left in the game.
Miller hit a pair of free throws down the stretch, and TSU walked away with a 66-61 victory in the last home game of the 2013-14 season.
Tennessee State had just three turnovers in the second half and forced 10.
SIUE was paced by Kris Davis’s 14 points while Keaton Jackson added 12.
TSU will next travel to Morehead State on Feb. 27 for a 6:30 p.m. tip-off with the Eagles.

By: Gwen DeRu
Save Big with Advanced Price, Kids Tickets to Aaron’s Dream Weekend at Talladega Superspeedway—On Sale Monday, Feb. 24
Race fans rejoice! On Monday, February 24, Advanced Price tickets went on sale to the May 2-4 Aaron’s Dream Weekend at NASCAR’s Most Competitive Track—Talladega Superspeedway. The Advanced Price tickets, which are available from February 24 to April 3, save fans money at nearly every ticket option, and for this highly anticipated race weekend the savings don’t stop there—for the first time ever kids have opportunities for “free” seating in the track’s exhilarating frontstretch grandstands.
Saturday kids’ tickets – for 12 and under – are free in every section of the grandstands and in select grandstands on Sunday. All other Sunday kids’ tickets are $50 off regular pricing. This unbelievable ticket offer has never been made at this historic NASCAR venue and is available even beyond the Advanced Price Ticket period.
Advanced Price tickets offer fans $10 off regular pricing for the weekend’s headliner, the Aaron’s 499 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on May 4, and $5 off Saturday’s quadruple header that includes two races (ARCA’s International Motorsports Hall of Fame 200, Aaron’s 312 Nationwide race), Sprint Cup’s new pack racing qualifying format and the traditional Saturday Night Infield Concert (must have a Sunday ticket for admission). Two-day tickets for both Saturday and Sunday start at $50.
“The Aaron’s Dream Weekend is shaping up to be one of our most talked-about event weekends in recent memory, thanks to all the fan enhancements made to the sport and our facility, so the benefits offered to early ticket buyers should be a huge incentive to go ahead and secure your seats,” said Talladega Superspeedway Chairman Grant Lynch. “The competition is going to be fierce during the new qualifying rounds, as well as during the Aaron’s 499 now that NASCAR has put a premium on winning races. Fans shouldn’t forget about the ARCA race and the Saturday Night Infield Concert either—this weekend is going to be huge!”
Fan enhancements have been ramped up in 2014, starting with NASCAR’s pre-season announcements about qualifying and the Chase. Qualifying for the Aaron’s 312 and Aaron’s 499 will now consist of three elimination rounds where drivers take to Talladega’s high banks in groups, competing just like it’s a race. The changes made to the Chase place practically any race winner into the Championship, and given the Aaron’s 499’s unpredictable nature, it’s going to be a battle like never before.
Talladega Superspeedway has also put into place some serious fan enhancements that include the free kids’ ticket initiative, new large Sprint Vision screens, smoke-free grandstands and the Driver Introductions Pit Pass Upgrade. Info on all of this and more can be found at www.talladegasuperspeedway.com.
NASCAR returns to Talladega Superspeedway in 2014 with the Aaron’s Dream Weekend, which is set for May 2-4. The NASCAR Nationwide Series and ARCA Racing Series will take to the track on Saturday, May 3 while NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series machines take the green flag on Sunday, May 4. For ticket information, log onto www.talladegasuperspeedway.com.