Rev up

Meet IndyCar superstar Pato O’Ward ahead of the Arlington Grand Prix

IndyCar driver Pato O'Ward.

Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images

Fans of IndyCar racing can meet one of the stars of the circuit ahead of this weekend's big Java House Grand Prix of Arlington: Pato O’Ward will make a pit stop at a Grand Prairie Walmart for an exclusive fan meet-and-greet a few days ahead of the race.

According to a release, O'Ward will appear at Walmart Supercenter at 200 US Highway 80 E., in Mesquite, at 1 pm Wednesday, March 11.

"Fresh off a career-best 2nd place finish in the 2025 Championship, O’Ward will be available for photos, autographs, and a look at how he fuels his race-day focus with Electrolit, his official hydration partner (also Grand Prix of Arlington hydration partner)," the announcement says.

Get there early and line up for these reasons:

The first 100 guests in line to meet Pato will receive a custom cowboy hat.
Grab a photo, snag an autograph, and rehydrate with a refreshing Electrolit. ("See how the driver of the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet stays sharp for 200mph battles.")
Hear firsthand from the man who recently threw the first pitch at a Texas Rangers game to celebrate this landmark race.

The meet-and-greet is free to attend, and reservations are not required.

O'Ward was born in Monterrey, Mexico and went to high school in San Antonio. He honed his legendary "edge-of-your-seat" driving style on Texas tracks and returns to DFW for the first-ever Grand Prix event in Arlington.

The Java House Grand Prix of Arlington, running March 13-15, will feature a 2.73-mile track layout that will weave through Arlington’s sports and entertainment district, which includes both AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Field, the home bases of the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas Rangers, as well as Choctaw Stadium, the Arlington Convention Center, and more.

The event in Arlington marks a return to the Dallas-Fort Worth area for the NTT IndyCar Series after Texas Motor Speedway - which hosted a race every year between 1997 and 2023 - was dropped in 2024. Tickets are available here.

Many local businesses and restaurants are hosting related events and viewing parties, as well.

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Teeing off

Fun new golf venue and bar swings into Near Southside Fort Worth

Facebook/Five Iron Golf

Perfect your swing in a simulated mountain locale.

A new golf-focused entertainment venue and sports bar is being teed up for Fort Worth's Near Southside: Five Iron Golf will debut at 824 W. Daggett Ave., formerly home to Stumpy's Hatchet House axe-throwing bar.

According to a spokesperson, it will open in April, in time for the Masters.

Owned and operated by father-and-son duo Jim and Austin Waterman, who have operated multiple The Good Feet Store shops across Dallas-Fort Worth, Five Iron Golf is "known for blending tour-level simulator technology, professional instruction, league play, and a full-service sports bar and restaurant under one roof," a release says.

The venue will span 10,000 square feet and will feature 12 Trackman simulators with "multi-angle swing-capture technology and access to more than 300 world-renowned courses," the release says.

It will also have a full-service bar and kitchen to fuel up golfers and non-golfers alike. Though menu details are not available on the website, it does advertise a happy hour, 3-6 pm Monday-Friday, offering $5 bottomless boneless wings or $10 bottomless bone-in wings; $5 dips (guac, hummus, hot honey ricotta); half-off pizzas; $5 select beers, cans, and cocktails; and $5 featured shots.

There will be flexible indoor event spaces including a private bay for golf-themed parties. Guests who want to improve their swing can book lessons with a roster of professional coaches, participate in seasonal leagues, and get fit through Callaway Tour Fitting, they say.

The family-friendly venue will also offer Junior Clinics for ages 6-14, along with women’s clinics, leagues, and community-focused programming.

Memberships are available but not required to play.

Backed by Callaway Golf, North Castle Partners, and Danny Meyer’s Enlightened Hospitality Investments, New York-based Five Iron Golf has 40 locations across 16 states and five countries. However, there are not yet locations in Texas; Fort Worth is the first in the Lone Star State.

“The Dallas-Fort Worth area has always been home for us, and bringing Five Iron Golf to Fort Worth gives us the opportunity to create something that goes beyond entertainment,” says Austin Waterman, co-owner of Five Iron Golf Fort Worth, in the release. “This location is designed to be a place people can build a routine, work on their game, and still enjoy the social side of golf, whether they’re training regularly or gathering with friends.”

While a grand opening date has not been revealed, there are perks for being part of the launch. Those who sign up to be among the first 150 Founding Members will receive a complimentary Swing Evaluation, 60-minute Callaway Tour fitting, free bag storage, a $100 account credit and an exclusive 5i Member bag tag, they say. They'll also get a "preferred rate" of $129 per month with an annual membership or $149 per month with a month to month membership, with discounts on instruction, league entry, and food and drinks.