Thursday, April 22, 1999

Carroll petitions for auto races

---

Winston Cup unlikely soon

BY TOM GROESCHEN
The Cincinnati Enquirer

        Carl Lindner has purchased a Kentucky Speedway suite. Vice President Al Gore gave the track a thumbs-up when he visited Cincinnati on Monday.

        With friends like that, Speedway developer Jerry Carroll is more confident than ever that he can lure big-league racing to his new superspeedway. The 1¹/₂-mile track is under construction in nearby Gallatin County, Ky., and is scheduled for completion in May 2000.

        Carroll's latest move has been to petition NASCAR officially for Winston Cup, Busch Grand National, Craftsman Truck, Goody's Dash and Slim Jim All Pro races within the next two years.

        “They want it in writing. You have to do that if you want races,” Carroll said. “We feel by the year 2001 we will be prepared to have a Winston Cup event.”

        NASCAR President Bill France has said Kentucky should not expect a Winston Cup race in the near future. Mike Helton, who assumed control of day-to-day NASCAR operations from France two months ago, mentioned a truck race when asked about Kentucky Speedway during Daytona 500 week in February. A truck race seems a certainty, as the Carroll-owned Louisville Speedway has one. That race is expected to be shipped up I-71 to Gallatin County, but Carroll also is betting he can land a Winston Cup race within five years.

        Others, including billionaire Cincinnati financier Lindner, are buying into that hope.

        “When Carl Lindner gets involved, you know he's done his homework,” Carroll said.

        Lindner is among those who have anted up $90,000 (three years at $30,000 a year) for one of Carroll's 50 suites. All told, 43 of the 50 luxury boxes have been sold.

        Carroll has a meeting scheduled May 6 with Championship Auto Racing Teams President Andrew Craig.

        Carroll then will meet May 11 with Indy Racing League executive director Leo Mehl.

       

---

Sports Stories

Neagle takes one on chin, but still stands Carroll petitions for auto races Ducks not worried about history in Philly OSU tailback competition marked by depth CINCINNATI HIGH SCHOOL REPORT CINCINNATI HIGH SCHOOL RESULTS N.KY. HIGH SCHOOL REPORT N.KY. HIGH SCHOOL RESULTS

Blake says he'll be mentor to Smith
REDS 7, METS 4
REDS NOTEBOOK
Box, runs
Reds sale pleases NL president
Stadium dealings unaffected by sale
Xavier gets JUCO big man
Loyer officially named coach at Wabash Valley