The NASCAR Nationwide Series is often considered a transition phase for those migrating toward Sprint Cup competition. Elliott Sadler, however, considers his full-time Nationwide ride a step forward in his racing career, as the Emporia, Va., native is riding a wave of momentum into Friday's O'Reilly Auto Parts 300 at Texas Motor Speedway. 

Sadler switched gears in 2011, leaving a 12-year Sprint Cup career to compete full time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series for Kevin Harvick, Inc. With 12 top-five and 24 top-10 finishes, he ended the season second in the series champion - 45 points behind Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Sadler is back in the No. 2 OneMain Financial Chevrolet this season, but now racing for championship-winning organization Richard Childress Racing as the team's ownership shifted upon conclusion of last season.

Now, add this to the mix...Dale Earnhardt Jr. is to race on Friday night, April 13th in the O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 as well as Saturday night, April 14th @ Texas Motor Speedway this weekend! Dale Jr. will be in the #5 Chevrolet sponsored by Degree.  That should spice things up!

The NASCAR Nationwide Series hits the track Thursday with a practice session at 6:40 p.m. CT and drivers will return to the track Friday morning for final practice at 10 a.m. CT. The SportsDay Qualifying Day Powered by The Dallas Morning News kicks off at 4:05 p.m. CT and the O'Reilly Auto Parts 300 will officially begin at 7:30 p.m. CT. Tickets for the O'Reilly Auto Parts 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race are still available and can be purchased by calling (817) 215-8500 or visiting www.texasmotorspeedway.com

KIXS 108 and kixs.com say congratulations to our ticket winners; Marisa Caster, Christina Robinson, Holly Fitzgerald, Amy Tupa, and Veronica Buchhorn. Each winner received 2 tickets to the O'Reilly Auto Parts 300, 2 tickets to the Samsung Mobile 500, and 2 pit passes for the entire weekend!

More From KIXS FM 108