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| Montreal promoter Francois Dumontier |
NASCAR and event organizer Francois Dumontier have been unable to come to terms on the 2013 edition of the race, and there are conflicting reports today as to the reason why. Initial reports said NASCAR wanted to move the existing Nationwide race to Saturday morning, in an effort to avoid conflicts with a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event held at Michigan International Speedway that same day.
Now sources say Dumontier may have given the sanctioning body an all-or-nothing ultimatum this week, insisting on a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event in 2013. When NASCAR declined, Dumontier reportedly agreed to renew his NASCAR Nationwide Series contract, but only if the event ran at 9 a.m. Sunday morning.
NASCAR declined, and broke off talks with Dumontier.
In a related story, Dumontier's Octane Management Group, which promoted the F1 Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and an IZOD IndyCar Series event in Edmonton, Alberta, recently filed for bankruptcy, listing debts of more than $5 million.
NASCAR declined, and broke off talks with Dumontier.
In a related story, Dumontier's Octane Management Group, which promoted the F1 Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and an IZOD IndyCar Series event in Edmonton, Alberta, recently filed for bankruptcy, listing debts of more than $5 million.
Sources say the Mid-Ohio Sports
Car Course could replace Montreal on the 2013 Nationwide schedule.
Loved that race track and the NW race. Interesting from start to finish. Can't say that about some of the other tracks.
ReplyDeleteThanks alot, again, to our eastern Canada francophone citizens for screwing the west out of something we enjoy. I thoroughly enjoyed the racing there, and was holding out hope for a Cup race there sometime in the future. Im at a loss as to why Western Canada, and the NW United States, is absent all these years to a race track.I understand building a track does not guarantee a race, but I feel IF something were ever built in this corner of North America, the support would be tremendous, and the exposure great as well. Wishful thinking??
ReplyDeleteToo Bad that was a good race and a beautiful facility. I know the Nationwide drivers loved going there.
ReplyDeleteQuebec wanting things their way , or no way at all is'nt a suprise to the rest of Canada.
ReplyDeletei couldnt agree more.All these years of hoping NASCAR would venture here, to have the greatest sport here, and now who knows. There was a group of us who were planning to go next year to the Nationwide race. well, I guess that ends the Iowa/Montreal debate!
DeleteF1 promoters filing for bankruptcy is not an unusual occurrence. Maybe the guy is just tapped out of cash after dealing with Bernie?
ReplyDeleteIn any case, NASCAR should put 110% effort into maintaining their presence at venues that attract big crowds and stage events that leave people talking for days afterward. Too many of the places NASCAR is at today fall short on both those accounts.
I absolutely loved watching that Montreal race every year and I hate to see it fall from the schedule, but at the same time, I am a selfish bastard..... Mid-Ohio is a mere 90 minute drive from my front door. If NASCAR does visit Lexington Ohio, if even for just a single season, I think it would be a very exciting race.
ReplyDeleteI hope this syatys in the news for a few more days anyway, Dave sure seems to like saying "Francois Dumontier". LOL
Oh shoot. No more fun hearing the Sirius team trying to pronounce "Circuit Villeneuve"!
ReplyDeleteNASCAR never belonged in Montreal to begin with, especially on that useless road course. Mid-Ohio doesn't belong on the schedule, either. Put the Nationwide series at Pocono and a second Talladega date.
ReplyDeleteHaha yes cause everyone loves watching races at Pocono! Please!
ReplyDeletePocono is a good racetrack. Bring the Nationwide series there.
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