NASCAR officials "have not ruled out changing race dates" for the '15 Sprint Cup Series, and many people this past weekend "wondered aloud ... if Road America and Iowa Speedway could land on the next schedule," according to the AP. There has "been little talk of adding new venues to the calendar," but Road America President George Bruggenthies still "is trying to land a Sprint Cup series race." Bruggenthies, whose track currently hosts a Nationwide Series race, on Saturday said, "Certainly, every year, we prepare the facility for a Cup series race -- more, better barriers, always with that in mind. Will it happen? All I can tell you is, I hope so. But we're certainly aware that the schedule is the challenge. We think that road racing has good ratings on TV, which is important for the series." Speculation this past weekend focused on Road America and Iowa "replacing races at Pocono Raceway and Dover International Speedway." But Pocono President & CEO Brandon Igdalsky said that he had "heard nothing about Pocono losing one of its two races." Igdalsky: "That's ridiculous. Who made that up?" (AP, 6/21). In Charlotte, Jim Utter wrote every year it "seems there is a growing expectation NASCAR will make radical changes to its Cup schedule, including moving race dates or eliminating races." But every year, "virtually nothing of consequence changes." It is "becoming clear there will be few eye-catching changes" to the '15 schedule. Unless tracks "close or change ownership, there simply isn't much incentive to alter the lineups" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 6/22).
MID-OHIO WANTS IN ON CUP: In Ohio, Rob McCurdy reported Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course President Craig Rust wants the track "first in line" if NASCAR ever was to add a road course to the Sprint Cup Series schedule. It is "unlikely the most popular series in America will be adding a 37th points-paying weekend." But if NASCAR "decides it wants to add diversity to its schedule and lose a couple of ovals in favor of road racing, that would be Mid-Ohio’s opening." One way to "be ready for a Sprint Cup race is to put on the best events it can, be it IndyCar or the NASCAR Nationwide Series for which it will host for the second straight year in August." Rust "wants to grow the profiles of both races in the media and in ticket sales to show just how vital Mid-Ohio can be to a series" (MANSFIELD NEWS JOURNAL, 6/22).
