Mother Nature looks like it'll be cooperating with Texas Motor Speedway's opening race weekend this year.
Forecasts don't call for rain until Monday, which means the NASCAR doubleheader Saturday and Sunday should go on without a hitch. Rain ruined every race weekend a season ago.
That won't be the case this time around.
Even if TMS gets hit with showers, it is unveiling a new racing surface that should dry relatively quickly compared to the old, porous surface of recent years.
With that being said, here's everything you need to know about the upcoming race weekend. From meeting Danica Patrick and Dale Earnhardt Jr. to times for various events, this is your guide for all things racing.
THE RACES
Saturday's NASCAR Xfinity Series My Bariatric Solutions 300
Laps: 200
Green flag: 12:30 p.m.
TV/Radio: KDFW/Ch. 4, KFWR 95.9-FM The Ranch
Qualifying: 9:35 a.m. Saturday, 9:35 a.m.
Sunday's Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series O'Reilly Auto Parts 500
Laps: 334
Green flag: 12:30 p.m.
TV/Radio: KDFW/Ch. 4, KFWR 95.9-FM The Ranch
Qualifying: 5:15 p.m. Friday.
WHAT AN HONOR
Rock star Ozzy Osbourne and his son, Jack, will be honorary "race directors" on Sunday, including giving the command of "Drivers To Your Cars." And national sportscaster Jim Rome will serve as the race's grand marshal and give the "start your engines" command.
DRIVER APPEARANCES
Friday
Danica Patrick is the headline driver to meet on Friday, as she'll be at the souvenir stand outside section 407. Wristbands are required for this event and will be distributed beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the souvenir stand.
Saturday
Landon Cassill will be at the Love's Travel Stop (4800 TX-114, Rhome, 76078) from 2-3 p.m.
Sunday
Kyle Busch, Clint Bowyer and Chris Buescher will be outside Gate 4 from 9:15-9:45 a.m.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be at the party pad, on concourse outside Turn 3, at 9:35 a.m.
GETTIN' DIRTY
Friday: The dirt track gates for Tony Stewart's Texas Sprint Car Nationals presented by Machinery Auctioneers open at 6 p.m. The racing gets underway at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday: Gates open at 6 p.m. with racing starting at 7:30 p.m.
Talkin' about practice
Cup: 11 a.m.-1:25 p.m. Friday
Xfinity: 1:30-2:55 p.m. and 4-4:55 p.m. Friday, 8:30-9:25 a.m. Saturday
