STADIUM NOTES

          USA TODAY's Liz Clarke writes on consolidation of the
     NASCAR racetrack industry under the header, "Big Business
     Making Tracks For Racetracks."  A chart shows that the "last
     of the independent" tracks includes six facilities holding
     11 NASCAR Winston Cup events (USA TODAY, 7/18)....Vikings
     Chair Roger Headrick and the Metropolitan Sports Facilities
     Commission are expected to release details of the team's
     financial situation today and Headrick is "expected to
     express his belief that the Vikings need a new dual-purpose
     stadium to share with the Twins" (STAR-TRIBUNE, 7/18).