NASCAR Says Wisconsin Motorsports Owes $1.8M For Two Races

NASCAR Claiming Milwaukee Mile Promoter Owes It $1.8M For Two Races

NASCAR claims that Milwaukee Mile race promoter Wisconsin Motorsports owes it $1.878M for two races held at the track on June 20, according to documents cited by Don Walker of the MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL. The documents include an agreement that Wisconsin Motorsports President & CEO Claude Napier signed in which he states that he is "unable to pay in full the fees due NASCAR for sanctioning" the Camping World Truck Series Copart 200 and Nationwide Series NorthernTool.com 250. As part of the agreement, "all of the revenue generated by the two races was sent directly to NASCAR." The documents "include a letter written by a NASCAR lawyer to all Milwaukee Mile vendors, concessionaires, program sellers, and food and beverage sellers telling them the money they owe to Wisconsin Motorsports was instead coming to NASCAR." Exact attendance numbers for the races have not been made public, but it was estimated that the Truck Series race "drew approximately 7,000 fans," while Napier said that the on Nationwide Series race "drew in excess of 35,000 fans" (JSONLINE.com, 6/29). NASCAR officials said that "all teams participating last weekend have been paid based on their finishes." However, sources said that the situation "could affect the track's ability to obtain race dates next season" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 6/27). NASCAR Dir of Corporate Communications Ramsey Poston in a statement said, "Despite having a terrific day of NASCAR racing last Saturday there remain outstanding issues which concern NASCAR. As a matter of policy I won't get into the specifics of our business dealings. However, I can say we are working closely with the track management to resolve outstanding issues." Meanwhile, Napier "acknowledged that the track would lose money this year," and he "blamed the losses on advance ticket sales for the races made last year by Milwaukee Mile Holdings LLC, the previous race promoter." Napier also said that NASCAR's decision to "cut testing at racetracks would cost Wisconsin Motorsports much-needed revenue" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 6/26).

PAYMENT PLAN: In Indianapolis, Curt Cavin reported the IRL is "still seeking all of its money from" Wisconsin Motorsports for the May 31 ABC Supply/AJ Foyt Indy 225 at Milwaukee Mile. IRL Commercial Division President Terry Angstadt "confirmed it's an issue his staff is 'working through.'" Angstadt: "We're working on a (payment) plan; I think that's the best way to put it" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 6/28).