SPARTA, Ky. — State transportation officials have dropped the green flag on Interstate 71 in Gallatin County, halting road repairs and clearing the way for fans heading to the Kentucky Speedway Sunday.

        Work crews have had I-71 both east and west of the speedway — about 45 minutes southwest of Covington — down to one lane in recent weeks for resurfacing.

        “But there will be no lane closures this weekend,” speedway chairman Jerry Carroll said Thursday. “(Gov. Paul Patton) has come right out and said that if somebody puts an investment of over $100 million to bring tourists to this community, we're going to be supportive.”

        The state will cooperate for the estimated 45,000 fans expected for Sunday's Belterra Casino Indy 300, which begins at 1:30 p.m. and will be televised nationally by ABC.

        But will the weather follow the state's lead?

        Rain is predicted for today. The heavy downpours that made a mess of the track's opening weekend last June — turning grassy parking lots into slop and keeping thousands of spectators away from the track — are fresh in fans' minds.

        Mr. Carroll said fans have nothing to worry about. The track has taken steps to prevent a repeat.

        More gravel lots have been added and the existing grass lots have been treated with what Mr. Carroll described as a “sludge.”

        “It keeps the ground compacted, which means we don't get the mud like we had,” he said. “Don't forget, it rained on the Friday before our (June 16) Busch race, and we had no problems the next day. We're all set.”

        A major construction project next year includes a new six-lane access road. A new interstate exchange just west of the speedway is to open this fall.

        “We'll have two exits out on the interstate when that project is finished, and that's really what we need,” Mr. Carroll said.

        Mr. Carroll has loaded the weekend with other races and events, including a concert before Sunday's race by Blessid Union of Souls and a flyover from a B-1 Bomber.

        This year's crowd is expected to be less than last year's inaugural running of the Belterra 300, which drew more than 60,000 fans.

        Mr. Carroll cited competition this weekend from the pro Tennis Master Series in Mason, the Cincinnati Reds at home and a CART Indy race near Columbus.
       

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