Daytona
International Speedway will take on a decidedly short track feel in 2013, with
the addition of All-Star events for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series, Whelen
Modified Tours and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.
Daytona Beach News Journal Motorsports editor
Godwin Kelly reported today that a new, 4/10-mile oval will be built inside the
Daytona Superstretch, using portions of the existing backstretch and delineated
by removable concrete “jersey barriers.” An announcement is expected Friday
that a two-night calendar of events will be run on Monday and Tuesday of
Speedweeks – under the lights -- for NASCAR’s local and regional racers.
DIS President
Joie Chitwood III told the Journal, “…It's
an opportunity to connect with that local racer supporting NASCAR. Thinking
about them getting the chance to run at the World Center of Racing, it felt
like the right thing to do. Whether it's a hobby or profession, everybody
should have the chance to race at Daytona."
Any 2012 winner
on the K&N Pro Series East or West, Whelen Modified Tour North or South
will receive invitations to take part in the event, along with top finishers in
the season long NASCAR Whelen All American Series standings and NASCAR’s Canadian,
Mexican and European Series. In addition to giving NASCAR’s top local and
regional stars their own version of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, the move
is seen as an opportunity to boost the profit margin at DIS, which has
traditionally not featured any on-track activity Monday or Tuesday before the
Daytona 500.
Great, lets hurt the short tracks in the area which have huge crowds those nights, and take Modifieds away from them. Sounds like a great plan.
ReplyDeleteHuge crowds? You obviously haven't been to New Smyrna recently!
DeleteI am sure New Smyrna Speedway is just thrilled of this announcement.
ReplyDeleteThis is not good news for short track racing. This is the week where the two local short tracks (New Smyrna and Volusia County)need to make enough money to support themselves for the year. Taking a couple of night of race fans away from them is a shame!
ReplyDeleteUnquestionably a good thing for the short track teams/drivers, but NASCAR could have placed the events at existing venues in the area in line with their "Hometracks - Soul of NASCAR" theme. Missed opportunity to "walk the talk"
ReplyDelete