STAFF REPORT
In its first year as an official NASCAR home track, Thunderhill Raceway in Kyle is speeding toward a couple of other new developments, including a possible reality show.
Thunderhill spokeswoman Debbie Williams says the raceway is also following closely the efforts to bring Formula One to the Austin area. The annual race would be the only F1 event in the United States.
“An event like that,” Williams said of Formula One, “is bigger than any NASCAR event. You’re talking millions of people.”
Thunderhill, a 3/8-mile oval track, opened in 1998 on Interstate 35 north of Yarrington Road. Williams spoke about Thunderhill earlier this week.
On Thunderhill’s relationship with Tavo Hellmund, the Formula One promoter:
He has rented our track in the past for Texas Racefest and has brought some NASCAR races to our track over the years. We have a relationship already with him, and we look forward to partnering, tying our events together somehow.
He’s got way bigger fish to fry than us right now, but hopefully down the road we can somehow combine our efforts … We haven’t talked to him about it.
On whether a reality show will be filmed at Thunderhill under the direction of Paul Hogan and Hogan’s partner Sarah Platt:
They have put together their presentation to the networks based on videos and photos we were able to send them. … They’re making progress, and they’re real optimistic. When the deal is signed, they feel like things will move very fast and furious.
On Thunderhill’s first year as a NASCAR track:
Most people are very familiar with what you see on Sunday afternoon on TV, the NASCAR Sprint Series. What they might not realize is NASCAR has many rungs on the ladder.
Our track is a NASCAR home track, which is the grassroots level of NASCAR. Our drivers can say they are NASCAR drivers legally, and that’s the biggie. The fact that we’re sanctioned by NASCAR gives us exposure, and our drivers are now competing with NASCAR drivers all over the country for NASCAR points and NASCAR money.
The casual stock car fan or somebody that’s not even a stock car fan will recognize the name, more than anything.
