Circuit of the Americas Chair Bobby Epstein last week said that he is interested in bringing a NASCAR race to the track, but Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage yesterday "couldn't help but rip" the idea, according to Drew Davison of the FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM. Gossage said, "I don’t blame them for wanting NASCAR races, it’s just that they’re 20 years too late. I don’t think they know the business, or they wouldn’t be saying such things.” Gossage admitted Epstein's comments were "along the lines of something he’d say to generate publicity and interest for his track." But Davison notes NASCAR "hasn’t discussed the idea of adding a road race in Austin with officials from TMS or its parent company, Speedway Motorsports Inc." Epstein said he has had contact with NASCAR officials, to which Gossage responded, "Anyone can talk to a NASCAR official. What NASCAR official? What’d they say? That doesn’t mean a thing. We’re all bound by contracts.” TMS and NASCAR are entering the second year of a five-year deal, and Gossage said that the track is “'protected contractually' from NASCAR adding an additional race within the region." Gossage: "This story doesn't concern us" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 2/28). Epstein in the original report said, "I’ve had contact with NASCAR officials, and we’ve heard from their fans and drivers. Everyone seems to want to be here, so I see no reason why it couldn’t come together." Epstein added, "NASCAR said they want more road courses, more non-ovals." In Austin, Kevin Lyttle noted Epstein "did not put a timetable on a possible race at COTA." F1 management "hasn’t viewed NASCAR favorably in the past." However, Epstein said that the takeover of F1 by Liberty Media "could ease the way to a purpose-built F1 track co-existing with NASCAR" (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 2/25).
