The Speedway Fills a Need

Let’s say you’ve got a massive, 1.5 mile oval just sitting out north of Fort Worth … sad and lonely. During the warmer months, flocks of folks in sleeveless shirts, camo shorts and giant RVs jockey to spend time there, enjoying the stench of burned rubber and the thrill of watching men in toy cars try to kill each other as they go in circles around the track. But in the winter, the Toby Keith anthems fall silent and the Texas Motor Speedway mostly hibernates. Or at least it did, until some special yuletide elf somewhere decided that it would make the mother of all Christmas attractions. That’s right — the vaunted racetrack has been converted into a spectacle of 600 LED light displays that add fuel to your holiday fun. As you drive through and gawk at the lights, you won’t get a chance to hit the gas — but you will get a special treat at the finish line: a Christmas village, inhabited by one Mr. Santa Claus, who will be available for photos and hugs with the kiddos. The 2014 Gift of Lights will open at TMS, 3545 Lone Star Circle in Fort Worth, on Wednesday from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. and operate seven days a week through January 1. Admission is $20 per car, with proceeds benefiting Toys for Tots, Ronald McDonald House, Boy Scouts of American and Speedway Children’s Charities. Bring a wrapped toy for Toys for Tots to get $5 off; see tmsgiftoflights.com for more information.
Mondays-Sundays, 6-10 p.m. Starts: Nov. 27. Continues through Jan. 1, 2014