Fans cheer on their favorite drivers during the race at Texas Motor Speedway last April. Credit: Autostock

Tailgating: Texas

With the race season heading to the finale, there will be plenty of action on the track and in the parking lots at Texas Motor Speedway As they say, everything is bigger in Texas -- including the tailgating.

From Ft. Worth: Take I-35 W north from Fort Worth. Exit on SH 114 and turn under the overpass to reach the speedway.

TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY •   Buy tickets •   Book your last-minute travel •   Track page •   Official Web site

From Dallas: There are a variety of routes from Dallas to Texas Motor Speedway. The following route is recommended: Head north from Dallas on I-35 E to Denton. At the junction of I-35 E and I-35 W, head back south on I-35 W. Exit right on SH 114 to the speedway.

From Denton: Take I-35 W south from Denton and exit right on SH 114. Alernate: Take U.S. 380 W from Denton and turn left on FM 156 south to SH 114. Take a left on SH 114 and continue to the speedway.

The Victory Lane Express bus service from Fort Worth to Texas Motor Speedway will provide race fans with roundtrip transportation Saturday and Sunday. Buses leave from the Tarrant County Community College Northwest Campus. More info

The direction you come in from will determine where you park. Detailed traffic patterns and parking lots

On race days, general parking is free at TMS. Daily VIP parking is available with prices ranging from $25-$75. Express parking ranges from $20-$40.

Credit: Autostock

Speedway camping: Tent City -- There are two areas on the east side for tent campers. Unreserved tent sites will be approximately 10 feet x 15 feet. No generators are allowed in Tent City areas. Fees range from $50-$75. Unreserved camping is on the west side of the speedway for the NASCAR weekend races only. There will be 1,000 sites, approximately 20 feet x 40 feet, available on a first-come, first-served basis for a price of $50. Reserved camping is available at various sites.

Texas Motor Speedway allows each guest to bring the following:

• A cooler no larger than 14 x 14 x 14 inches and containing no glass. You may bring alcoholic beverages into the grandstand areas. Only one cooler per ticketholder is allowed in the grandstands.

• Bags such as backpacks, fannypacks, etc. are allowed, but are subject to inspection by security officials and can be no larger than 14 inches in all dimensions

• Binoculars, seat cushions, scanners and cameras are allowed inside the speedway.

Chevy Speed Stampede -- Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to midnight. Interactive games, NASCAR show cars, racing simulators, mobile exhibits, contests, prizes, racing and automotive merchandise, food and fun for all ages. NASCAR Driver appearances both evenings along with bands and comedians. Directions and more info

Credit: Autostock

NASCAR Memorabilia Auction -- Saturday in the Hospitality Village, immediately following the O'Reilly Challenge Busch Series race. Please call (817) 215-8564 for more information.

Beretta Celebrity Clay Shoot II at the Circle T Ranch -- Thursday NASCAR drivers will be participating as shooting partners in this event.

Toys for Tots -- U.S. Marines will be stationed in the parking areas at Texas Motor Speedway to collect Toys for Tots. The drop-off areas will be available in lots near Gates 1 through 7, as well as Gate 10 on the backstretch.

The Fort Worth Zoo -- Don't miss Texas Wild!, an eight-acre exhibit that takes you on a spectacular journey through the various regions on the Lone Star State.

Jo Ann Hlavac is the producer of Laidbackracing.com, a fan site devoted to NASCAR tailgating. The opinions expressed are solely of the writer.