ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, January 8, 1997 TAG: 9701080051
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: FORT WORTH, TEXAS
The 1997 NASCAR Winston Cup season hasn't started, but the controversy has.
Bruton Smith, chairman of Speedway Motorsports, said Tuesday he expects to have a second Winston Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway - this year.
During a media tour of the new 1.5-mile speed palace in Roanoke, Texas, Smith asserted that NASCAR President Bill France ``promised'' him a new 1997 date for the Texas track in addition to the already scheduled Texas 500 on April 6.
``Anytime [France] has made a promise, he's always fulfilled that promise,'' Smith said. ``We'll get this thing worked out and [a second Texas race] will be run.''
Not so, said NASCAR spokesman Kevin Triplett, who was on the tour.
``No additions for 1997,'' Triplett said. If Texas was to get a second date, ``it would be a change in our thinking, and right now the 1997 schedule is set.''
Later, Triplett added: ``I didn't put that strongly enough. The 1997 schedule is set in concrete.''
Smith acknowledged he was caught by surprise and displeased by France's blunt, unequivocal statement at the Winston Cup banquet in New York in December that the 1997 schedule was set and there would be no additions.
Smith said he and France have discussed dates for a second Texas race in July (``It would have to be a night race,'' Smith said), October and November.
``Bill knows we've sold it to TV and it's going to be a $4 million purse,'' Smith said. But whether Smith gets a second race or not, it clearly won't affect the growth plans of Speedway Motorsports.
The Texas track, which is nearly complete and looks quite similar to Charlotte Motor Speedway, will cost about $250 million when it is finished - about $100 million more than the cost estimate a year ago. Tall cranes already are in place and the foundation has been set for a condominium tower overlooking the second turn, and that project has added millions to the original price tag, Smith said.
Meanwhile, at Charlotte, 15,000 to 18,000 seats are being added in the second turn. New seats are being built at Speedway Motorsports tracks in Atlanta and Bristol, too. Smith also is looking to build a big speedway in another major U.S. market, although he would not say what cities were under consideration.
And a new master plan is being developed for the corporation's latest purchase - Sears Point International Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. The plan most likely will include an oval track, possibly a 1.5-mile speedway or even a short track that would be a clone of high-banked Bristol.
In other racing news, car owner Larry McClure made it official Tuesday: Tim Brewer is Sterling Marlin's new crew chief.
In a television hookup from Daytona International Speedway to Texas Motor Speedway, McClure also announced a new five-year contract with Marlin and a four-year contract with Kodak, the team's sponsor. As far as his contract with Brewer, McClure said, ``I'm not prepared at this time to discuss the terms of the contract. We're looking for it to be several years.''
The team was in Daytona for the second day of a three-day test for General Motors cars as the Chevy and Pontiac teams prepare for the Daytona 500 on Feb.16.
Robby Gordon was fastest Tuesday at 187.387 mph, followed by Terry Labonte (185.812 mph), Jeff Gordon (185.793), Ken Schrader (185.667) and Marlin (185.510). All were driving Chevys.
LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines KEYWORDS: AUTO RACINGby CNB