Wednesday, August 23, 2000
Busch dates open for Ky. Speedway
Speedway's race chances improve
By Tom Groeschen
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Kentucky Speedway has petitioned for a NASCAR Busch Series race for 2001, and its chances just improved. Myrtle Beach Speedway (S.C.) and South Boston (Va.) both announced that they will not hold Busch Series races next year.
That drops the Busch calendar from 32 races to 30, with room to grow. Busch is NASCAR's second-largest series behind Winston Cup.
The Busch openings could be potential dates for Kentucky Speedway. Speedway chairman Jerry Carroll could not be reached for comment Tuesday, but Speedway general manager Mark Cassis said there is no reason to celebrate.
“Nothing has really changed on our end,” Cassis said. “We're still waiting to hear something.”
Myrtle Beach Speedway co-owner Billy Hardee said Monday that he and fellow owner Nick Lucas decided against holding a Busch race in 2001 because of increasing costs. They said it was their decision, not NASCAR's, to drop the race.
NASCAR will not comment on its 2001 Busch schedule, which has not been finalized.
“I know Kentucky put on a successful Craftsman Truck Series event, but I really can't tell you anything else right now,” said Rick Oleshak, NASCAR Busch communications manager. “We're within a couple weeks of announcing the 2001 schedule.”
Kentucky Speedway played host to its Truck race June 17 and drew 63,750 fans. Despite traffic and parking problems caused by heavy rain, NASCAR director of operations Kevin Triplett said Kentucky Speedway handled its first event well. Triplett would not say whether Kentucky will get a Busch race for 2001.
Kentucky Speedway also has petitioned for a Winston Cup race, but that schedule is saturated with 36 dates. That is about the maximum for now, with an offseason lasting only from late November through early February.
Jim Utter, who covers the Busch series for the Charlotte Observer in the heart of North Carolina racing country, said he has been told Kentucky is likely to get a Busch race for 2001. Utter also said tracks are informed before the schedule is announced to the public.
Cassis said Kentucky has heard nothing.
“I keep my fingers crossed,” he said. “We've proved we have the market that supports racing. Our position is better than it was a year ago, but frankly, I thought we were getting a Busch race for 2000, too.”
Myrtle Beach and South Boston long were rumored as losing their Busch dates for 2001. Hardee listed several reasons for Myrtle Beach not to pursue a Busch race next year.
“We paid $260,000 more than we did in 1999 (to get the race), and that's a big hit,” Hardee told The State newspaper (Columbia, S.C.). “The sanctioning fee has gone up $50,000 a year for the past three years. Our purse this time was $813,000, and that's more than they pay for some Winston Cup races.”
Hardee said it was easier to let the race go than to keep it.
“Basically, it boils down to — just like everything else — the bigger companies getting control,” he said. “And the little man doesn't have a chance anymore.”
Cassis said Kentucky Speedway's goals remain a Busch race for 2001 and Winston Cup by 2002 or 2003. NASCAR CEO Mike Helton has said that, for now, Kentucky is not in NASCAR's Winston Cup plans.
“Our goal all along has been to get a Busch race, then go from there,” Cassis said. “The ultimate goal is Winston Cup.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
IRL courts fans fir Sunday race
Sports Stories
Phillies 5, Reds 4
Box, runs
Ochoa's grand slam sets ML record
Dawkins makes Olympic team
McKeon's son promoted to top scout
Rose still clamoring for answer
Punter change caps special-team makeover
SULLIVAN: Groce takes leap of faith
Bengals pick up OT Farris
UC football
