MOTORSPORT NEWS: QUESTIONS ABOUND ABOUT THE U.S. 500

     The U.S. 500 debuted last Memorial Day at Michigan
International Speedway (MIS), but "it can be said with a good
deal of certainty," that it will not return to MIS, according to
the DETROIT NEWS.  While the IndyCar schedule for '97 has not
been released, Angelique Chengelis writes that if the race
returns to the schedule, it would "likely" be held Memorial Day
weekend.  U.S. 500 Committee Member Owner/Driver Bobby Rahal on
the future of the event: "Where it is and when it is, that is a
big question.  If there is one decision that has been made by the
entire board of directors of (IndyCar), is that we cannot react
to what Indianapolis does or does not do" (DETROIT NEWS, 8/22).
     IRL NEWS: IRL Founder Tony George says an IRL event could be
held in Atlanta as early as '98, according to the ATLANTA
CONSTITUTION.  George said '98 would be the IRL's first
opportunity as the Atlanta Motor Speedway is undergoing a
reconfiguration, and won't be completed until June or July of '97
(ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 8/22).