How do I get a media pass when I go to the race tracks to take photos? I've e-mailed a couple of my local tracks but no one got back to me about how I get a pass so I was hopeing someone here could help me.

Everyy track is different on how they handle credentials. Anymore it's who you know or who you shoot for. Now that the world has gone digital for the most part everyone has a camera and thinks they can go anywhere and shoot. A lot of tracks are now denying access to everyone except for well known publications. Part of this is also due to people stepping on the toes of track photographers.
Your best bet is to 1: Call, don't email them 2: if that doesn't work go to the track for a few races and get to know those in charge.

JS

Not having managed it myself, I can't give much advice !
The only time I've had a pass ...
... a friend needed an favour, getting to and from the airport and the hotel, plus she wanted to give me a treat and got me a pass for testing at Jerez
... she also got me a morning pass for the Rally circuit at the GFoS last yesr, but was in Jerez this year so we misse dout
i) talk to other photographers
ii) go into the press office and ask
iii) ask local photo agencies
iv) support your local paper, offer your services
be prepared to show off your work...

I am hoping once I get my desktop rebuilt I can upload to my gallery here and use it as a staging post to greater things...

I started out by buying a pit pass and shooting what I was allowed to shoot.

As JS pointed out, that can vary from track to track, so find out where you are and aren't allowed to shoot from with just a regular pit pass. Even if all you can have access to is the pit area, keep an eye open as there are plenty of photo opportunities available there.

You also need to find out which racing trade papers are in your area, and contact them to see what their requirements are for submission, and also what their needs are.
Then, every time you go to a race, pick out and send in 2 or 3 of your best shots to submit. If they like your work, and use you photos fairly regular, there is a good chance they can help you get that media pass.

But always remember to respect the track photographer. It's his/her 'turf' so get to know the track photographer if you can. Some will be great and easy to work with, others will be very protective of their track and won't like you. Still others may well be complete jerks. I've met all kinds, and now that I'm a track photographer, I always try to be outgoing and welcoming, just asking in return that one respect my 'turf' and not try to sell their stuff at my track.

Oh, and if you happen to be a much better photographer than the track photographer, use even more tact and grace in dealing with him. There are 2 or 3 shooters that I always look forward to their visits to one of my tracks as they are far more advanced than I am and I always work with them to learn something new. But I also know a couple of track photographers whose results are less than desireable, but they don't see it, and yet are extremely threatened by and antagonistic towards other, good, photographers.

So a lot of it is just play it by ear, be patient, make contacts, and work your way in.