THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, September 2, 1996 TAG: 9609020141
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BOB ZELLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: DARLINGTON, S.C. LENGTH: 49 lines
The traditional July race at Talladega Superspeedway has been moved to Oct. 12 in the 1997 NASCAR Winston Cup schedule, which was released Sunday at Darlington Raceway.
The schedule also includes the new race at Texas Motor Speedway on April 6, the new race at the California Speedway in southern California on June 22 and an additional race at New Hampshire International Speedway on Sept. 14.
The new races in Texas and New Hampshire replace those at North Wilkesboro Speedway, which is no longer on the schedule.
NASCAR president Bill France said the schedule was released three months earlier than usual ``to better serve the fans, the sponsors, the media and the teams.''
Texas Motor Speedway officials aren't content with just the one date, however, and say they will continue to talk with NASCAR about a second 1997 stop there.
``We've had a long relationship with NASCAR, and I know they fully understand the merits of what Texas Motor Speedway has to of fer,'' said Bruton Smith, chairman of the speedway and the primary owner of three other tracks on the circuit. ``NASCAR wants to be here in this important market. I will continue to discuss an additional date with NASCAR and consider the door to be open.''
The Daytona 500 will be the opening event as usual, kicking off the season Feb. 16. The towns and dates for the 1997 races:
Rockingham: Feb. 23 and Oct. 6. Richmond: March 2 and Sept. 6.
Atlanta: March 9 and Nov. 16.
Darlington: March 23, Aug. 31.
Texas: April 6.
Bristol: April 13 and Aug. 23.
Martinsville: April 20, Sept. 28.
Talladega: April 27 and Oct. 12.
Sears Point: May 4.
Charlotte: May 25 and Oct. 5.
Dover: June 1 and Sept. 21.
Pocono: June 8 and July 20.
Michigan: June 15 and Aug. 17.
California: June 22.
Daytona: Feb. 16 and July 5.
New Hampshire: July 13, Sept. 14.
Indianapolis: Aug. 2.
Watkins Glen: Aug. 10.
Phoenix: Nov. 2. by CNB