Daytona Int’l Speedway Officials Hoping To Land IRL Race

Daytona Int’l Speedway Could Host IRL Race

If the IRL’s compatibility test at Daytona Int’l Speedway (DIS) is “successful, they will likely race there,” according to D.C. Williams of the Daytona Beach NEWS-JOURNAL. One source close to IRL schedule makers said that an IRL race on a Daytona road course “is the desired outcome of the test, which has yet to be officially scheduled but is expected to be in September.” The source said, “Assuming all sorts of things don’t go wrong between now and then, it’s a done deal.” But DIS Dir of Communications David Talley said, “We might want to wait until they test here before we jump at any conclusions they’re coming here to race.” IRL VP/PR John Griffin said, “We’re in the final stages of putting together the details with [DIS] officials only for the purpose of doing a compatibility test. Even though a race someday might be realized, right now we’re not talking about holding a race there.” Williams noted next year’s IRL schedule is not complete, but an ’08 race date “would be more realistic if the test was successful.” Griffin said that the week between the Rolex 24 and NASCAR’s Speed Weeks “would be appealing.” Griffin: “We think it’ll give the national and international motorsports press a reason for staying beyond the Rolex 24” (NEWS-JOURNAL, 8/28).