RACIN': In NC, Monte Dutton writes that the "next
showdown between" Int'l Speedway Corp. and Speedway
Motorsports "may take place" at the Meadowlands. While ISC
has a deal with the NJ Sports & Exposition Authority, Dutton
adds that "now comes word" that SMI Chair Bruton Smith "has
offered to purchase the entire complex," which includes
Giants Stadium, Continental Airlines Arena and the
Meadowlands Racetrack, and "build his own track" on the
grounds (Gaston GAZETTE, 1/27)....In Indianapolis, Bill
Koenig writes that Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS)
officials haven't "specified how much" they're spending to
upgrade the facility for the F-1 U.S. Grand Prix in
September, but estimates are "as high as" $40M (INDIANAPOLIS
STAR, 1/27). IMS "has purchased" six additional large-screen
video displays from Daktronics, set to be installed prior to
the Indianapolis 500 on May 28 (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 1/26).
RILEY'S CAVE: Heat coach Pat Riley, asked why the Heat
are 4-3 in AmericanAirlines Arena: "The players come in here
and see how bright it is and say, 'We can win here.' Or
maybe go up and have a tropical drink in our lounge. We've
got to get a little depressing in here, like Madison Square
Garden or Boston Garden" (BOSTON GLOBE, 1/26).
