In Portland, Kerry Eggers cited an official as saying that naming rights at Jeld-Wen Field “shouldn’t be affected by impending bankruptcy proceedings with the Klamath Falls-based window and door company.” MLS Timbers COO Mike Golub said, “A multi-year deal is in place, and (Jeld-Wen officials) are very happy with it. We don’t expect anything to change” (Portland TRIBUNE, 9/5). The Timbers and Jeld-Wen announced the naming-rights partnership in March, ahead of the team's MLS debut this season, though terms of the agreement were not disclosed (THE DAILY).
BACK FOR ANOTHER SPIN: Kentucky Speedway GM Mark Simendinger told the state Senate Transportation Committee that NASCAR "has authorized another Sprint Cup series race at the track in 2012.” NASCAR “made that decision despite the bumper-to-bumper traffic problems that enraged many ticketholders and overshadowed the track’s inaugural” Cup Series race July 9. Simendinger noted that the speedway “has hired new experts to re-evaluate parking and traffic patterns, and $7.5 million in upgrades are under way to enhance parking around the track, including a new lot that will add 10,000 spaces to the 33,000 already available” (Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL, 9/7).
UNDER THE LIGHTS: In California, Louis Brewster reports the Izod IndyCar Series' return to Auto Club Speedway after a seven-year absence has been scheduled for Sept. 15, 2012. The 400-mile race “will finish under the lights, but a starting time has yet to be announced by the sanctioning body.” ACS President Gillian Zucker said, "We're going to push for as late a starting time as we can get with our television partners." It is “not clear where the race, unsponsored at the moment, will fall on the IndyCar Series schedule” (SAN BERNARDINO SUN, 9/7).
RENOVATION STATION: In Albany, Cooper & Sichko report Saratoga Race Course officials are “determined to overhaul their corporate business by investing up to $15 million to build new suites, a hospitality room and viewing areas.” The proposed construction of a "three-story At the Rail hospitality building is a critical piece" of NYRA's plan to invest $100M "over the next five years to strengthen its operations at Saratoga and Belmont Park.” NYRA “expects to receive more than $22 million a year when its third track, Aqueduct in Queens, begins operating slot machines in October for the first time” (Albany BUSINESS REVIEW, 9/2 issue).
