Black Friday Signals Formal End of NASCAR Season, But Wait There's More

Black Friday signals not only the end of Thanksgiving, but also the formal end of the NASCAR season.  But it also signals the start of some of the most interesting offseason racing throughout the country.

One of the best-known postseason races is the Turkey Night racing at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale, California.  One NASCAR driver, A.J. Allmendinger, was one of the notables planning to attend the race this year.

Irwindale hosts the 69th running of the Lucas Oil Turkey Night Grand Prix, a postseason favorite.  There are races scheduled for midgets, as well as USAC sprint cars. 

One of the Black Friday traditions in the tri-state New York area is the annual Turkey Derby at Wall Stadium in southern New Jersey.  Wall Stadium is the track where several NASCAR notables got their start, including Ray Evernham and the Truex brothers, Martin Jr. and Ryan.

The Turkey Derby at Wall features short track racers from throughout the northeast and Mid-Atlantic states.  Racing starts on Black Friday and this year, for the first time, will continue throughout Sunday afternoon.

Three of the top drivers on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour have entered the weekend's 36th annual Turkey Derby at Wall.  Donny Lia, 2009 NASCAR Modified champion, will be wheeling the Blewett Motorsports No. 1 race car.

Ted Christopher, who finished third in the 2009 NASCAR Whelen Series, will also race, as well as Rowan Pennick, wheeling a lucky No. 13.

The big kahuna of post-Black Friday racing, however, is the Snowball Derby.  The 42nd annual running of the Derby will be held in early December at 5 Flags Speedway in Florida.

NASCAR Nationwide Champion Kyle Busch will be running the Derby, as well as the Allen Turner Hyundai Snowflake 100 race.  Busch has also entered another car, which will be driven by up-and-comer Brian Ickler.

NASCAR driver David Stremme plans to run, as well as Camping World Truck Series driver Brian Scott.  Rusty Wallace's son and Nationwide driver Steven Wallace also plans to race in the December classic.

The Snowball Derby will kick off on Thursday, Dec. 3rd, with qualifying on Dec. 4th.  The Snowflake 100 is Dec. 5th and the Derby is scheduled for Dec. 6th.

So forget shopping at the malls this Black Friday, as well as your post-NASCAR season depression.  Plan instead to take in a little post-Black Friday racing action at one of your closest NASCAR short tracks to beat the post-Thanksgiving and postseason blues.