There's more than racing going on here at Kentucky Speedway leading up to the July 13 running of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 presented by Walmart. Below is a list of attractions to enjoy before the weekend is over.
J.D. Shelburne
Country music artist and University of Kentucky alum J.D. Shelburne came from humble beginnings, as he was raised in the small tobacco farm town of Taylorsville, Kentucky, just outside of Louisville. He will headline this year's Trackside Live Stage with a full concert Saturday beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Although he is currently based in Nashville, Shelburne said he savors any chance he has to get back to his roots and put on shows for his followers in the Bluegrass State.
"I am so thrilled to perform at the Quaker State 400 race this summer!," said Shelburne. "It has been a dream of mine to perform back in my home state and headline this event. I am looking forward to performing for all my Kentucky fans!"
Shelburne's new music video for his 2018 single "She Keeps Me up Nights" was recently featured on CMT Music and CMT.com. The track follows the successful debut of his first single, "One Less Girl," which CMT Music also premiered, and recently cracked the Top 40 on the Music Row Chart. Both songs were featured on his newest album, Two Lane Town, which was released July 28, 2018.
"I think I've got some great songs on this record, and I think so many fans will relate and be drawn to this new album," said Shelburne. "I still have a lot of ground to cover and I don't plan on slowing down anytime soon."
Bluegrass band Moonshine Drive will perform Saturday at 2 p.m. Saturday on the Trackside Live Stage. Formed in Cincinnati, Ohio in 2007 by Louis Mazzocca and brothers Greg and Marc Mecoli, they have been pickin' and grinnin' in and around Cincinnati ever since.
Cincinnati's Naked Karate Girls will also perform Saturday at 3:30 p.m. on the Infield Fan Zone Stage.
Follow J.D. Shelburne on Twitter and Facebook @jdshelburne, Moonshine Drive on Facebook @MoonshineDrive and Naked Karate Girls on Twitter @nakedkarategirl and Facebook @nkgpartyforce.
Lima Lima Air Show - "The World's Original Civilian Formation Aerobatic Team"
The Lima Lima Flight Team based out of Naperville, Illinois will perform during Saturday's pre-race with a demonstration featuring four T-34 aircrafts. It includes several formation configurations, from the wedge and double arrowhead, to the basic finger four and diamond formations. The team has developed a series of formation aerobatics maneuvers which demonstrate the full range of the T-34.
Lima Lima has performed in airshows from coast to coast and border to border, thrilling more than 100 million spectators with the beauty and grace of their precision performances.
Jimmy Houston - "America's Favorite Fisherman"
Professional angler and television host Jimmy Houston, aka "America's Favorite Fisherman" will be back this year with fishing clinics in Lakeside on the Kentucky Speedway property.
Houston, who is in his 54th year fishing professional bass tournaments and his 43rd year on National Television with Jimmy Houston Outdoors, began fishing professional bass tournaments in 1968.
This won't be Houston's first trip to Kentucky Speedway, as he drove the pace car for the Quaker State 400 in 2015 and was the Grand Marshall last year.
Houston spent 21 years on ESPN before switching to the Outdoor Life Network and NBC Sports.
Fireball Alley - Official Tailgate Area for the Quaker State 400
Fireball Whisky will sponsor the area that used to be known as "Action Alley" this year. Located trackside on Turn 1, Fireball Alley features free tailgating (cornhole, giant jenga, etc.) / tent camping, music with DJ and great value concession offerings.
You must be 18 or over to enter this area and a student ID will allow you to receive free giveaways while supplies last.
Fireball Alley opens at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, with tailgating and tent camping opening at 10 a.m. and the race beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Budweiser Clydesdales
The prominent Budweiser Clydesdales owned by Anheuser-Busch will be in attendance at Kentucky Speedway this year, as they will perform a parade lap Saturday during pre-race festivities.
The Budweiser Clydesdales made their first-ever appearance on April 7, 1933. A gift from August A. Busch, Jr. and Adolphus Busch to their father in celebration of the repeal of Prohibition, the presentation of the original two six-horse hitches of champion Clydesdales moved father, sons and drivers to tears.
In 1950, the Budweiser Clydesdales received their very own mascot: the Dalmatian. Traditionally used to guide horse-drawn fire carts, the spotted dog serves as friend and companion to the team, sitting aside the driver.
NASCAR Trackside Live
Trackside Live is NASCAR's pre-race show that will also be streamed on NASCAR.com.
Driver appearances, games and special guests will be part of the fun on the Trackside Live Stage to get fans pumped up for the ninth annual running of the Quaker State 400.
Schedule: Friday 3-4 p.m. and Saturday 4-5 p.m.
All times are subject to change