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Track Notes: Kentucky Speedway GM Says No Talk About Reducing Capacity

Kentucky Speedway GM Mark Simendinger said there has been "no talk" about reducing seating capacity at the SMI-owned track. In Lexington, Mark Story noted SMI in recent years has "removed 41,000 seats at Charlotte Motor Speedway and 17,000 seats" at Atlanta Motor Speedway, dropping capacity at the venues to 89,000 and 75,000, respectively. Daytona Int'l Speedway also has reduced capacity to 101,500 after "removing its 46,500-seat backstretch grandstand." Kentucky Speedway still seats 106,000 fans, giving it more seats "than iconic NASCAR bastions" Daytona, Charlotte and Talladega Superspeedway, which has cut seats from 108,000 to 78,000 (LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER, 2/21).

LISTEN TO THE MUSIC: A Santa Rosa PRESS DEMOCRAT editorial stated that if Sonoma County is going to host a four-day music festival, having it at Sonoma Raceway "makes more sense than just about any other location," as no other venue "knows how to handle crowds of this size." The track also has a good history "when it comes to abiding by its existing use permit." However, there is also "reason to be cautious." The editorial: "Traffic in southern Sonoma County is already a nightmare on days when major events occur at the raceway. And hosting a four-day music festival that encourages patrons to camp overnight represents a major untested change in the raceway's operations" (Santa Rosa PRESS DEMOCRAT, 2/22).

CANADIAN BACON: In Buffalo, James Fink reported reps for NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon "remain committed towards the development" of the $400M Canadian Motor Speedway that will be located in Fort Erie, Ontario. Pending approvals from provincial entities, officials "expect to file this spring for the necessary permits to resume construction for the massive track." It could see its "first race take place by 2017." The "centerpiece is a Gordon-designed signature speedway" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 2/22).

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