Judge Rules In Favor of NASCAR, ISC In Antitrust Suit
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Judge Dismisses Kentucky Speedway's
Antitrust Lawsuit Against NASCAR |
U.S. District Court Judge William Bertlesman yesterday "dismissed an antitrust suit that sought to break up [ISC] and force NASCAR to award a Sprint Cup race to Kentucky Speedway," according to Thomas Brown of the Daytona Beach NEWS-JOURNAL. Kentucky Speedway in '05 filed a civil suit against NASCAR and ISC, both controlled by the France family, "alleging they conspired to keep the lion's share of the biggest NASCAR races on ISC property." Yesterday's decision "upheld the authority" of NASCAR to decide which tracks should host its races. Nineteen of the 36 annual Sprint Cup races currently take place at ISC's 12 tracks. Kentucky Speedway, which plans to appeal the ruling, sought $600M in damages and "to make ISC sell off eight of its 12 tracks." ISC spent more than $11M challenging the lawsuit, and though NASCAR does not disclose its finances, ISC Senior Dir of Corporate & Investor Communications Wes Harris indicated that NASCAR "probably spent a similar amount." NASCAR Managing Dir of Corporate Communications Ramsey Poston believes that the verdict "gives NASCAR the same antitrust immunity enjoyed by other sports bodies," including MLB and the NFL. Poston: "NASCAR can host its events where it decides is best for the sport and its fans" (Daytona Beach NEWS-JOURNAL, 1/8). Poston added that the decision "would not change the existing relationship" between NASCAR and Kentucky Speedway, which hosts Nationwide and Craftsman Truck Series events. Poston: "The Kentucky Speedway continues to be an important partner of ours" (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 1/8).
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