You know what they say. Everything is bigger in Texas.

Or at least it often seems like it.

And sometimes that's because folks in Texas like to give events a big Texas-sized push -- like Tuesday night when a standing-room-only crowd of more than 1,600 crammed into the House of Blues in Dallas to witness the unveiling of the revamped 2011 race schedule at Texas Motor Speedway.

“

We do things differently here, and I think NASCAR realizes we're all in.

”

-- EDDIE GOSSAGE

Highlighting the announcement was the revelation that on April 9, 2011, TMS will play host to its first Sprint Cup night race in the track's 15-year history. Track president Eddie Gossage said he was thrilled to be able to land the Saturday night date.

"Night racing has always been special," Gossage said. "When I started back in this business 31 seasons ago at Nashville Speedway at the Fairgrounds, we had two nighttime races there. Bristol added one in 1978. And so those were the only night races on the schedule -- and over time, it's become the hot thing because fans dig it."

Gossage was one of many dignitaries on hand for Tuesday night's announcement. Among others in attendance were NASCAR chairman Brian France, Speedway Motorsports Inc. chairman Bruton Smith and two-time Cup Series champion Tony Stewart.

Gossage and SMI footed the bill for a bash that he said cost "half a million bucks." Entertainment for the night included illusionist Ash Adams and a concert by the Goo Goo Dolls.

Gossage explained why he believed landing a night race was a coup deserving of such an elaborate celebration. He said a night race in NASCAR is appealing to fans by its very nature.

"There are a whole lot of things to like about it. Number one, the cars look faster," Gossage said. "You see sparks fly up from under them when they've got a full load of fuel; when they bounce off each other, you'll see sparks fly. And for some reason, it seems like the monsters come out in the drivers at night.

"But there are some very objective pluses -- things like fans not having to worry about getting home and getting to work the next day, and if there is a rain issue, you've got Sunday as a rain date. ... You've got a shot at getting it all done on a weekend and still give people time to get home and get ready for work and school and things like that. There are entertainment benefits, there are competition benefits, and there are practical benefits as well."

On the flip side of the scheduling coin, NASCAR knew not to mess with Texas' November date that Gossage insisted is an integral part of the 10-race Chase.

"Our November date is the biggest crowd and the biggest purse in the Chase. So obviously something good is going on there, and there is no reason to mess with that," Gossage said.

Landing the night race for the track's spring date was a long time in coming, Gossage added.

"I was pleased that NASCAR worked enthusiastically with us on this," he said. "It's something we've been asking for for a long while, and they were great to work with on this one. So we're pleased.

"We do things differently here, and I think NASCAR realizes we're all in. We had sponsors and media fly in from all over the country for this [announcement]. It's some cool stuff."

Gossage said tickets for Tuesday night's extravaganza were made available to TMS season-ticket holders and sold out within three days. He also applauded France for attending and for working with TMS to make the night date a reality.

"I think NASCAR is being creative and inventive because these are tougher times," Gossage said. "We need to be more responsive to the fans because of the economy and things of that nature. So I think they've looked at the schedule and are trying to figure out what makes the best sense for the fans from the weather standpoint and all kinds of standpoints.

"I've just never seen them be as inclusive and as cooperative as they've been, and I've been doing this for 31 years. I give Brian and Mike [Helton, NASCAR president] a lot of credit. I appreciated Brian coming. He didn't hesitate. I think they realize we're all in."