Earlier, a federal appeals court rejected claims by former Kentucky owner Jerry Carroll and his associates that NASCAR violated antitrust laws by denying it a spot on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule. The United States 6th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the speedway failed to prove NASCAR and ISC colluded to keep Kentucky off the schedule; echoing an earlier ruling by a lower court. Today’s verdict could bring an end to a case that was originally filed in 2005, and has cost both sides millions of dollars to argue. Carroll and company do have an option for additional appeal, however, and based on their previous unwillingness to take "no" for an answer, the case could indeed live on.
NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston commented on the ruling today, saying, "NASCAR is pleased with the court’s ruling, which supports our case, that like other sports such as the NFL, MLB and the NBA, NASCAR can host its events where it decides is best for the sport and its fans.
"NASCAR has a great racing tradition at Kentucky Speedway featuring races in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, and we look forward to racing there in 2010. The 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule is set, and we anticipate no changes. However, we are happy to discuss alternatives with the track owners for 2011 and beyond, as they relate to NASCAR’s realignment plans.”
Spokespersons for Kentucky Speedway declined to comment on the ruling, preferring to wait until a decision is made by the track's former owners on possible further appeals.
Attempts to contact Carroll for comment have not yet been successful.
International Speedway Corporation is the parent company of MRN Radio, which produces Sirius Speedway.
No comments:
Post a Comment