Friday, October 11, 2002
IRL, Busch races highlight 2003 Ky. Speedway schedule
Track continues to pursue elusive Winston Cup date
By Dustin Dow
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Kentucky Speedway's 2003 schedule will feature the same racing series as last season, the facility announced Thursday.
That schedule includes this year's main events, the NASCAR Busch Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and the Indy Racing League.
As expected, missing is a NASCAR Winston Cup race, which track officials had hoped to get for 2003. Speedway vice president and general manager Mark Cassis said a Winston Cup race is a possibility in 2004.
"Our pursuit for a Winston Cup race has not stopped," Cassis said. "This is the best facility in America without one. There's no question our track measures up."
Because the track does not have a Winston Cup deal, it is able to hold testing days throughout the offseason for series drivers. Ford racing teams will use the facility every Tuesday for testing, Cassis said.
"We have Rusty Wallace, Dale Jarrett, Mark Martin in here testing," Cassis said. "And until we get a Cup race, we'll continue to do that because the drivers love the track."
There is one change for next season, Cassis said - fans will be forced to use the Interstate 71 interchange at Exit 55. The interchange was new last season, but many fans still used Exit 57.
"Once we get them there, people will find access back to Cincinnati is much easier," Cassis said.
The IRL weekend was moved back one week to Aug.16-17 so it will not conflict with the Masters Tennis Series championship in Mason the week before.
"The Indy Racing League put on some of the best races we had last year," Cassis said, "and we really didn't like competing with the (tennis tournament)."
Season tickets go on sale Monday, and single-event ticket sales begin Jan.6. Call 888-652-RACE (7223) for more information.
2003 scheduleMay 10: ARCA RE/MAX Series, "The Channel 5-205," 8 p.m.
June 13: NASCAR All Pro Series, "The Kentucky 150," 8 p.m.
June 14: NASCAR Busch Series, "The Kentucky 300," 8 p.m.
July 11: NASCAR Goody's Dash Series, "The Kentucky 150," 8 p.m.
July 12: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, "The Kentucky 225," 8 p.m.
Aug. 16: Indy Racing Infiniti Pro Series, "The Kentucky 100," 8 p.m.
Aug. 17: Indy Racing League, "Belterra Casino Indy 300," 2 p.m.
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