Plans for a rival stock-car circuit that will market itself as a little sister to NASCAR were announced Tuesday. Team Racing Auto Circuit hasn't yet called Kentucky Speedway, but if it does, it will find Jerry Carroll a hard sell.

        Carroll, the speedway chairman, said Tuesday he plans to distance himself from TRAC, at least until the circuit shows it is a worthy alternative to NASCAR.

        “To us, working very hard and keeping a very clean-nosed relationship with NASCAR, we do not see the credibility (in TRAC) at this point to have much of an interest,” Carroll said. “We are a very devoted NASCAR track. That's where we're pointing all our energies.”

        TRAC spokesman Cale Yarborough, a three-time Winston Cup champion, said the league would try to become a starting point for unknown drivers. “This league is not going after NASCAR drivers,” he said.

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        The announcement of TRAC, which plans to begin racing in 2003, surprised Carroll. He said he is not familiar with Maxx Motorsports, the group backing the series. Of TRAC's board members, he knows only Yarborough.

        NASCAR spokeswoman Danielle Humphrey declined comment on TRAC's plans.

        “I guess it's hard to see them welcoming us with open arms,” Yarborough said of NASCAR. “But I would hope they understand and recognize there is room for this sport to grow.”

        Only 43 drivers compete in a NASCAR race. Any amount can try to qualify, although fewer than 50 usually do. Normally, the top drivers make each field, and the fledgling teams that lack heavy financial backing don't. TRAC founders said their series would differ because all the cars would be equal, thus creating more parity for those who don't have the money NASCAR drivers do.

        With TRAC still seeking television contracts and tracks, Carroll foresees an uphill battle if TRAC tries to compete with NASCAR.

        “The XFL had a stronger deal than this, and look what happened to it,” he said of the NFL's rival league that just folded after one season.

        Carroll said he “hasn't always been treated like a king by NASCAR,” referring to his continued wait for a Winston Cup series event. But he said the Outback Steakhouse 300, a Busch series race June 16 at the speedway, will sell out — furthering the speedway's bid in discussions for future Winston Cup events.

        Meanwhile, Carroll won't rule out TRAC completely.

        “In free-enterprise America, it gives you an option,” he said. “You never want to get into anything where there isn't an option. Right now, if NASCAR doesn't take (a track) in, you're dead.”

        Special Ky. Speedway section

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