Lowe's Motor Speedway "likely won't make any major
changes" before its NASCAR races this month, but Speedway
Motorsports is "considering raising the protective fence" at
its other track, the Texas Motor Speedway, the site of the
IRL Longhorn 500 on June 12. SMI President Humpy Wheeler:
"I have a good feeling about our safety [for NASCAR races].
We don't want to overreact on anything" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER,
5/13). Meanwhile, TMS Exec VP & GM Eddie Gossage said that
despite the tragic deaths at the IRL's VisionAire 500 in
Charlotte, "there has never once been any conversation about
not running. ... We race" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 5/13).
SUGGESTION BOX: In Dallas, Tony Fabrizio writes, "In an
effort to build support for [the NHRA's] proposed relocation
to Grand Prairie, Texas Motorplex officials are seeking
feedback from fans and sponsors on how to build the best
possible track." More than 200 suggestions have been
submitted to the track's Web site (www.texasmotorplex.com).
The "most common ideas" are a large permanent scoreboard,
more restrooms and water fountains, alcohol-free family
seating sections, chair-back seating and electricity and
water in the overnight campground. More Fabrizio: "Oh, and
somebody wants a swimming pool" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 5/13).
OTHER NOTES: Bucks VP/Business Operations John
Steinmiller, on asking for public assistance for renovations
at the Bradley Center: "It's a sensitive topic, after what
happened with Miller Park. ... If it can be done without
public support, it sure will be" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL
SENTINEL, 5/13)....In Chicago, Fran Spielman reports that
Mayor Richard Daley "ran away" from yesterday's report of
building a new Bears stadium east of the Dan Ryan Expressway
near Comiskey Park (SUN-TIMES, 5/13)....In Jacksonville,
Mike Bianchi wrote on the city's new arena efforts: "What we
need is a nice new $80 million, 17,000-seat community
facility. ... What we don't need is some opulent $200
million, 23,000-seat, multi-leveled mansion that NBA and NHL
teams are now demanding" (FL TIMES-UNION, 5/12).
