Race weekend at Texas Motor Speedway

I spent three days covering the Camping World truck race and the Firestone Twin 275s Indy race at Texas Motor Speedway over the weekend. Friday night was the most fun. A Shelby Mustang caught fire after blowing its engine while performing a drifting maneuver before the start of the truck race.

Getty Images photographer Tom Pennington gets a up close view of a Mustang that caught fire while performing a 'drifting' maneuver before the start of the 'WinStar World Casino 400k' at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Friday, June 10, 2011. The driver escaped apparently unharmed. Special/Brandon WadeThe driver of a Mustang who was performing a 'drifting' maneuver waves for help as flames pour out from underneath his car before the start of the 'WinStar World Casino 400k' at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Friday, June 10, 2011. The driver escaped apparently unharmed. Special/Brandon Wade Flames pour out from underneath a Mustang that was performing a 'drifting' maneuver before the start of the 'WinStar World Casino 400k' at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Friday, June 10, 2011. The driver escaped apparently unharmed. Special/Brandon WadeThe driver of a Mustang escapes as safety personal use fire extinguishers to put down a fire that started during a 'drifting' presentation before the start of the 'WinStar World Casino 400k' at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Friday, June 10, 2011. Special/Brandon WadeThe driver of a Mustang escapes as safety personal use fire extinguishers to put down a fire that started during a 'drifting' presentation before the start of the 'WinStar World Casino 400k' at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Friday, June 10, 2011. Special/Brandon WadeMatt Crafton #88 spins out and scrapes the side of his truck along the wall as James Buescher #31 drives through the infield grass during the 'WinStar World Casino 400k' at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Friday, June 10, 2011. Special/Brandon Wade Matt Crafton #88 spins out and scrapes the side of his truck along the wall during the 'WinStar World Casino 400k' at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Friday, June 10, 2011. Special/Brandon WadeMatt Crafton gestures towards Austin Dillon, after the two were involved in a wreck during the 'WinStar World Casino 400k' at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Friday, June 10, 2011. Special/Brandon Wade A Austin Dillon pit crew member kicks a flat tire to the pit wall after Dillon was involved in a wreck during the 'WinStar World Casino 400k' at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Friday, June 10, 2011. Special/Brandon Wade

Crews clean up debris left behind by a Mustang that caught fire while 'drifting' during a presentation before the start of the 'WinStar World Casino 400k' at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Friday, June 10, 2011. Special/Brandon WadeChase Mattioli' #99 car back fires after spinning out on the front stretch during the 'WinStar World Casino 400k' at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Friday, June 10, 2011. Special/Brandon Wade

Ron Hornaday Jr. pit crew members celebrate after winning the 'WinStar World Casino 400' at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Friday, June 10, 2011. Special/Brandon Wade

Ron Hornaday Jr. pit crew members celebrate after winning the 'WinStar World Casino 400' at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Friday, June 10, 2011. Special/Brandon WadeJohnny Sauter #13 leads Ron Hornaday Jr. #33 on a restart with two laps to go during the 'WinStar World Casino 400k' at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Friday, June 10, 2011. Sauter was penalized on the final lap for changing lanes giving Hornaday Jr. the win. Special/Brandon Wade

Pit crews use umbrellas to shade their drivers during practice at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Friday, June 10, 2011. Special/Brandon Wade Helio Castroneves and Dancia Patrick on pit road before the start of practice at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Friday, June 10, 2011. Special/Brandon Wade Helio Castroneves and Dancia Patrick on pit road before the start of practice at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Friday, June 10, 2011. Special/Brandon Wade Danica Patrick #7 looks to pass James Jakes #18 during practice at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Friday, June 10, 2011. Special/Brandon Wade Ed Carpenter sits in his car during a pit stop while his crew makes adjustments to the car during practice at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Friday, June 10, 2011. Special/Brandon WadeHelio Castroneves' pit crew straps him into his car before the start of practice at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Friday, June 10, 2011. Special/Brandon WadeSimona De Silvestro walks to her car for the start of practice at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Friday, June 10, 2011. Special/Brandon Wade A pit crew member straps Helio Castroneves' helmet to his neck brace before the start of pracice at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Friday, June 10, 2011. Special/Brandon WadeAlex Tagliani celebrates winning the pole position for the first race of the 'Firestone Twin 275s' at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Friday, June 10, 2011. Special/Brandon WadeAlex Tagliani, right, talks with team owner Sam Schmidt, left, after making his qualifying run for the first race of the 'Firestone Twin 275s' at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Friday, June 10, 2011. Tagliani would win the pole position. Special/Brandon Wade Danica Patrick exits her car after making her qualifying run for the first race of the 'Firestone Twin 275s' at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Friday, June 10, 2011. Special/Brandon WadeTony Kanaan, left, talks with teammate Takuma Sato, right, after making his qualifying run for the first race of the 'Firestone Twin 275s' at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Friday, June 10, 2011. Special/Brandon Wade Tony Kanaan(cq) gives a thumbs up after making his qualifying run for the first race of the 'Firestone Twin 275s' at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Friday, June 10, 2011. Special/Brandon WadeDario Franchitti watches the scoring tower after making his qualifying run for the first race of the 'Firestone Twin 275s' at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Friday, June 10, 2011. Special/Brandon Wade

Team owner Roger Penske during the second of two IZOD IndyCar Series Firestone Twin 275 race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Saturday, June 11, 2011. Special/Brandon WadeAlex Lloyd (19) comes within inches of a Ana Beatriz (24) pit crew member while pulling into his pit box during the first of two IZOD IndyCar Series Firestone Twin 275 race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Saturday, June 11, 2011. Special/Brandon WadeDario Franchitti (10) crosses the finish line less than a second before teammate Scott Dixon (9) to win the first of two IZOD IndyCar Series Firestone Twin 275 race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Saturday, June 11, 2011. Special/Brandon Wade Tony Kanaan (82) and Will Power (12) battle for position during the second of two IZOD IndyCar Series Firestone Twin 275 race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Saturday, June 11, 2011. Special/Brandon WadeJustin Wilson (22) and James Hinchcliffe (06) battle for position during the second of two IZOD IndyCar Series Firestone Twin 275 race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Saturday, June 11, 2011. Special/Brandon WadeDanica Patrick (7) during the second of two IZOD IndyCar Series Firestone Twin 275 race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Saturday, June 11, 2011. Special/Brandon WadeWill Power (12) during the second of two IZOD IndyCar Series Firestone Twin 275 race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Saturday, June 11, 2011. Power would win the race. Special/Brandon WadeWill Power (12) celebrates with a burnout after winning the second of two IZOD IndyCar Series Firestone Twin 275 race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Saturday, June 11, 2011. Special/Brandon WadeWill Power (12) celebrates in victory lane after winning the second of two IZOD IndyCar Series Firestone Twin 275 race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Saturday, June 11, 2011. Special/Brandon WadeDario Franchitti (10) and Will Power (12) pose for photos with their pit crews after each winning the IZOD IndyCar Series Firestone Twin 275 race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Saturday, June 11, 2011. Special/Brandon Wade

Ron Hornaday Jr. celebrates with Texas Six Shooters in Victory Lane after winning the 'WinStar World Casino 400' at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Friday, June 10, 2011. Special/Brandon WadeRon Hornaday Jr. drives into Victory Lane after winning the 'WinStar World Casino 400' at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Friday, June 10, 2011. Special/Brandon Wade

Monkeying around starts off a wild weekend at TMS

Spending three days at Texas Motor Speedway covering WinStar World Casino 350k, the O'Reilly Auto Parts Challenge and the AAA Texas 500 will wear a person out. But two Capuchin monkeys, who where hired by TMS President Eddie Gossage to sell programs, stole the show for me at least. Check out some of the highlighted photos below, about 34 images in all. You can read a couple of the stories here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/11/06/2610529_april-victory-at-tms-put-hamlin.html and here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/11/07/2612192/pit-stops.html

Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage shows off "Miki" a Capuchin monkey at Texas Motor Speedway Friday, Nov. 5, 2010. Miki and "Rocky," not pictured" will be selling programs to race fans throughout the weekend. Special to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Brandon Wade

Miki, a Capuchin monkey, checks out my camera gear in the media work room at Texas Motor Speedway. Photo by Fort Worth Star-Telegram Staff Photographer Paul Moseley

Miki, a Capuchin monkey, checks out my camera gear in the media work room at Texas Motor Speedway. Photo by Fort Worth Star-Telegram Director of Photography David Kent

Miki, a Capuchin monkey, checks out my camera gear/his reflection in the camera lens the media work room at Texas Motor Speedway. Photo by Brandon Wade

Brandon Wade, me, dawning race day gear poses for a photograph in pit road before qualifying at Texas Motor Speedway Nov. 5, 2010. Photo by Fort Worth Star-Telegram Staff Photographer Paul Moseley

Gymnasts perform on top of the garages before the start of the "NSCS AAA Texas 500" at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Tx., Sunday, Nov. 6, 2010. Special to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Brandon Wade

The wind blows Danica Patrick's hair in her face during driver introductions before the start of the 'NNS O’Reilly Auto Parts Challenge' at Texas Motor Speedway Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010. Special to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Brandon Wade

Texas Rangers pitcher C.J. Wilson prepares to drive the pace car before the start of the "NSCS AAA Texas 500" at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Tx., Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010. Special to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Brandon Wade

U.S. Army service men slap hands with NASCAR fans before driver introductions before the start of the "NSCS AAA Texas 500" at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Tx., Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010. Special to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Brandon Wade

Kevin Harvick inserts his ear piece during the 'AAA Texas 500' practice at Texas Motor Speedway Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010. Special to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Brandon Wade

Martin Truex Jr.'s (56) car backfire's after he slid into the infield grass coming out of turn four during the "NSCS AAA Texas 500" at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Tx., Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010. Special to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Brandon Wade

Dave Blaney's (37) pit crew attempt to service his heavily smoking car during a green flag pit stop during the "NSCS AAA Texas 500" at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Tx., Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010. Special to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Brandon Wade

Kyle Busch waves to the fans during driver introductions before the start of the 'NNS O’Reilly Auto Parts Challenge' at Texas Motor Speedway Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010. Busch placed second in the race. Special to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Brandon Wade

Jeff Gordon watches his crew work on his car during the 'AAA Texas 500' practice at Texas Motor Speedway Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010. Special to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Brandon Wade

Denny Hamlin helps out his crew during the 'AAA Texas 500' practice at Texas Motor Speedway Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010. Special to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Brandon Wade

Denny Hamlin celebrates in victory lane after winning the "NSCS AAA Texas 500" at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Tx., Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010. Special to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Brandon Wade

J J Yeley puts on his helmet as he prepares to make his qualifying run for the 'AAA Texas 500' at Texas Motor Speedway Friday, Nov. 5, 2010. Special to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Brandon Wade

Kevin Harvick fastens his helmet as he prepares to make his qualifying run for the 'AAA Texas 500' at Texas Motor Speedway Friday, Nov. 5, 2010. Special to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Brandon Wade

Trevor Bayne, right, talks with Jack Roush, left, before making his qualifying run for the 'AAA Texas 500' at Texas Motor Speedway Friday, Nov. 5, 2010. Special to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Brandon Wade

James Buescher celebrates winning the pole position for the 'O'Reilly Auto Parts Challenge' in Victory Lane at Texas Motor Speedway Friday, Nov. 5, 2010. Special to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Brandon Wade

Sparks fly from the undercarriage of Austin Dillon's truck on pit road after a tire blowout in turn one at Texas Motor Speedway Friday, Nov. 5, 2010. Special to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Brandon Wade

Dion Williams, right, a pit crew man for Mark Martin, pushes a tire back to the pit road wall during the "NSCS AAA Texas 500" at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Tx., Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010. Special to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Brandon Wade

Keisha Leatherman of Fort Worth holds onto the Victory Lane fence as she cheers on Elliot Sadler who won the pole position for the "AAA Texas 500" at Texas Motor Speedway Friday, Nov. 5, 2010. Special to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Brandon Wade

Jeff Gordon's pit crew races to change tire and refuel his car during the "NSCS AAA Texas 500" at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Tx., Sunday, Nov. 6, 2010. Gordon would be knocked out of the race after a wreck and his pit crew then took over Jimmie Johnson's pit duties. Special to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Brandon Wade

A Jeff Gordon pit crewman, left, fist bumps with a Jimmie Johnson pit crewman during the "NSCS AAA Texas 500" at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Tx., Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010. After Gordon's car was knocked out of the race in a wreck, his pit crew took over for Jimmie Johnson's team. Special to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Brandon Wade

A pit crew man for Jeff Gordon's team prepares for a Jimmie Johnson pitstop during the "NSCS AAA Texas 500" at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Tx., Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010. After Gordon's car was knocked out of the race in a wreck, his pit crew took over for Jimmie Johnson's team. Special to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Brandon Wade

Severe right front damage to James Buescher's car during the 'NNS O’Reilly Auto Parts Challenge' at Texas Motor Speedway Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010. Special to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Brandon Wade

Mike Bliss follows Danica Patrick out of turn four during the 'NNS O’Reilly Auto Parts Challenge' at Texas Motor Speedway Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010. Special to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Brandon Wade

Danica Patrick heads out of turn 4 during the 'NNS O’Reilly Auto Parts Challenge' at Texas Motor Speedway Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010. Special to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Brandon Wade

NASCAR fans watch as Brad Keselowski celebrates his Nationwide Series championship with a burnout after the 'NNS O’Reilly Auto Parts Challenge' at Texas Motor Speedway Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010. Special to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Brandon Wade

Carl Edwards celebrates his 'NNS O’Reilly Auto Parts Challenge' win at Texas Motor Speedway Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010. Special to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Brandon Wade

Kyle Busch celebrates winning the 'WinStar World Casino 350K' in Victory Lane at Texas Motor Speedway Friday, Nov. 5, 2010. Special to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Brandon Wade

Carl Edwards backflips off of his car after winning the 'NNS O’Reilly Auto Parts Challenge' at Texas Motor Speedway Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010. Special to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Brandon Wade

Carl Edwards celebrates his 'NNS O’Reilly Auto Parts Challenge' win in victory lane at Texas Motor Speedway Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010. Special to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Brandon Wade