THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 8, 1997 TAG: 9701080569
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BOB ZELLER, Staff writer
DATELINE: FORT. WORTH, TEXAS LENGTH: 65 lines
The 1997 NASCAR Winston Cup season hasn't started yet, but the contro- versy has.
Speedway Motorsports Chairman Bruton Smith said Tuesday he ex- pects to get a second Winston Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway - this year.
During a media tour of the new 1.5-mile speed palace north of here, Smith asserted that NASCAR Presi- dent 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 that he was caught by surprise and displeased by France's blunt, unequivocal L statement at the Winston Cup ban- quet in New York last month that the 1997 schedule was set and there would be no additions.
Smith said he and France have discussed dates for a second race at Texas in July (``It would have to be a night race``), October and Novem- ber. ``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 burgeoning growth plans of Speedway Motorsports.
The Texas track, which is nearly complete and looks quite similar to Charlotte Motor Speedway, will L cost about $250 million when it is - finished - about $100 million more than the cost estimate a year ago. Tall cranes are already in place and the foundation has been set for a condominium tower overlooking L the second turn, and that project has added millions to the original price tag, he said.
Meanwhile, at Charlotte, 15,000 to 18,000 new seats are being added in the second turn. New seats are being built at the Speedway Motor-H sports tracks in Atlanta and Bristol, too. Smith is also looking to build another big speedway in another major U.S. market, although he would not say what cities are under consideration.
And a new master plan is being developed for the corporation's lat- est purchase - Sears Point Inter- national Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. The plan most likely will include an oval track - possibly a 1.5-mile speedway or even a short track, which could be a clone of high- banked Bristol.
In other news, car owner Larry McClure made it official Tuesday - Tim Brewer is Sterling Marlin's new crew chief.
In a television hook-up from Day- tona International Speedway to L Texas Motor Speedway, McClure also announced a new five-year contract with Marlin and a four- year contract with Kodak, the L team's sponsor. As far as his con- tract with the sometimes volatile 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 Feb. 16 Daytona 500.
Robby Gordon was fastest Tues- day at 187.387 miles per hour, fol- lowed by Terry Labonte at 185.812 mph, Jeff Gordon at 185.793 mph, Ken Schrader at 185.667 mph and Marlin at 185.510 mph. All were driving Chevys.