IMG, promoters of the CART Detroit Grand Prix, is
"seriously considering a proposal that would" keep the race
at Belle Isle after "receiving a detailed plan for
improvements" from Mayor Dennis Archer, according to
McWhirter & Chengelis of the DETROIT NEWS. CART had said
earlier that it "would not extend" its contract with IMG
when it expires after the June 2001 race, but promoters now
say that they "are impressed with Archer's plan, which
includes building concrete work areas for the race cars and
concrete walkways for spectators" (DETROIT NEWS, 8/30).
KY SPEEDWAY VOTES FOR BUSCH: In Cincinnati, Jeff
Carlton writes that the NASCAR Busch Series "has scheduled a
stop" at KY Speedway for 2001. The race, to be called the
Kentucky 300 until a sponsor buys title rights, is scheduled
for June 16 at 7:30pm ET and will be televised nationally on
Fox. Track Owner Jerry Carroll is hoping the Busch race "is
the next step toward" a Winston Cup date: "I'm a real-estate
developer, and we do projects in phases. This is phase two,
and I'm feeling pretty optimistic about phase three, which
is the Winston Cup" (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 8/30). NASCAR COO
Mike Helton, on running a Busch race in KY: "We were very
happy with the results as we ran the inaugural NASCAR
Craftsman Truck Series here earlier this year. We look for
great things from the Busch Series itself with [A-B's]
support and promotion efforts behind it" (ESPN2, 8/29).
