On the "eve" of the CART Grand Prix of Detroit on Belle
Isle, a race that "falls off" the schedule in 2002, CART
announced plans "to investigate the feasibility of staging"
races in eight major U.S. markets -- Atlanta, Boston,
Denver, N.Y., Philadelphia, Phoenix, S.F., and Washington,
DC, according to Steve Ballard of USA TODAY. Team owner
Bobby Rahal said that CART "could fairly easily accommodate
as many as" 24 races in 2001, four more than this year (USA
TODAY, 6/16). CART Chair & CEO Andrew Craig: "The series
has grown beyond Belle Isle. ... We need a racetrack with
perhaps a little bit better opportunity for overtaking. We
need a facility where the fans and the sponsors don't have
to come on and off by bus" ("RPM2Night," ESPN2, 6/15).
MARKET WATCH: Craig, on the Denver market: "Denver is
very high on the list, even No. 1 or 2." Craig said that
Denver is a "main target because" CART "needs more of a
central U.S. presence" (ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS, 6/16). Craig,
on Atlanta: "The market in Atlanta is very appealing and one
of the markets where we do well on TV. It's also one of the
markets where we can run earlier in the year" (ATLANTA
CONSTITUTION, 6/16). CART spokesperson Tonya Trasatti said
that CART's interest in Philadelphia "should not be
interpreted as a death knell" for "nearby" Nazareth Speedway
(PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 6/16). Meanwhile, Craig said of the
Dallas-Ft. Worth market: "We're very interested in Texas.
We already have one race in Texas [a street race in
Houston], and we think the marketplace justifies two."
However, TX Motor Speedway GM Eddie Gossage said that there
"have been no formal meetings" with CART (DMN, 6/16).
OFF TRACK: In Miami, Gary Long cites sources as saying
that the Marlboro Grand Prix of Miami "will be dropped" from
the 2001 schedule. However, Homestead-Miami Speedway "is
expected to land" an IRL race (MIAMI HERALD, 6/16). Craig
said that CART "will not compete" at Las Vegas Motor
Speedway next season. Craig: "Las Vegas, to be frank, is
not on the top of our list. My personal view is that one
day we will be racing there, but I'm not quite sure when it
will occur" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 6/16).
