Speedway Motorsports Chair Bruton Smith "is pressing"
NASCAR to split its Winston Cup schedule into two divisions,
allowing for more races to accommodate new tracks, according
to Larry Woody of the Nashville TENNESSEAN. Smith said that
he has been talking with NASCAR President Bill France about
the idea for "three or four years," but "so far, nothing has
happened." Smith: "Sponsors like to see their car win or
run in the top five. Increasing the races would increase
their chances." The Winston Cup series currently has 34
races per season (TENNESSEAN, 1/13). Smith said that one
league could race in the East, one in the West, and both
televised as a Sunday doubleheader (DETROIT NEWS, 1/13).
NASCAR'S CRYSTAL BALL: Speaking at NASCAR's Media Tour
in Charlotte, Speedway Motorsports President Humpy Wheeler
said he "believes" NASCAR racing in the year 2020 will
include drivers earning up to $50M a year, HDTV putting
"fans in the driver's seats" and satellite TV producers able
to "bankroll" ten int'l races (PHILA. DAILY NEWS, 1/13).
