nsany(atl)
07-20-2008, 08:16 AM
http://www.al.com/sports/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/sports/121645534133670.xml&coll=2
IndyCars may make Barber debut in 2009
Saturday, July 19, 2008DOUG DEMMONSNews staff writer
The roar of IndyCar engines, the sweet smell of pure ethanol fuel, and Danica Patrick may be coming to Barber Motorsports Park as early as next April.
Gene Hallman of Zoom Motorsports, who has been working for the past year to persuade the Indy Racing League to add the 2.38-mile road course at Barber to its 2009 schedule, said the chances are good the track will host a race either next year or in 2010.
"We're hopeful it's 2009," Hallman said. "I personally feel that Indy racing will be at this facility no later than 2010."
The IRL has yet to release its 2009 schedule, a task complicated by trying to accommodate some of the tracks that hosted Champ Car races last year before the two rival open-wheel series merged. Hallman hopes for a decision about 2009 by the end of this month.
Hallman said the facilities at Barber impressed Indy officials last fall when they came here for a test session and that the track is at the head of the line among new tracks seeking a race.
"All indications are they are eager to come to this facility," he said. "Their intent is to come to this facility."
Other factors working in Barber's favor, Hallman said, include the IRL's desire to locate a race in the Southeast. The closest race to Birmingham on the current schedule is at Nashville Superspeedway, but published reports have indicated that track might be dropped from next year's schedule.
Also working in Barber's favor is the proximity of the Honda assembly plant in Lincoln. Honda is the sponsoring manufacturer in the IndyCar Series.
If Barber does land an IndyCar race, it is likely to be in early April, a few weeks before NASCAR's spring race at Talladega. It might also require Barber to make a few changes to the track such as with fencing or on pit road, although Hallman said any changes would be minor. Check out Demmons' blog at blog.al.com/blogoftomorrow. [email protected]
IndyCars may make Barber debut in 2009
Saturday, July 19, 2008DOUG DEMMONSNews staff writer
The roar of IndyCar engines, the sweet smell of pure ethanol fuel, and Danica Patrick may be coming to Barber Motorsports Park as early as next April.
Gene Hallman of Zoom Motorsports, who has been working for the past year to persuade the Indy Racing League to add the 2.38-mile road course at Barber to its 2009 schedule, said the chances are good the track will host a race either next year or in 2010.
"We're hopeful it's 2009," Hallman said. "I personally feel that Indy racing will be at this facility no later than 2010."
The IRL has yet to release its 2009 schedule, a task complicated by trying to accommodate some of the tracks that hosted Champ Car races last year before the two rival open-wheel series merged. Hallman hopes for a decision about 2009 by the end of this month.
Hallman said the facilities at Barber impressed Indy officials last fall when they came here for a test session and that the track is at the head of the line among new tracks seeking a race.
"All indications are they are eager to come to this facility," he said. "Their intent is to come to this facility."
Other factors working in Barber's favor, Hallman said, include the IRL's desire to locate a race in the Southeast. The closest race to Birmingham on the current schedule is at Nashville Superspeedway, but published reports have indicated that track might be dropped from next year's schedule.
Also working in Barber's favor is the proximity of the Honda assembly plant in Lincoln. Honda is the sponsoring manufacturer in the IndyCar Series.
If Barber does land an IndyCar race, it is likely to be in early April, a few weeks before NASCAR's spring race at Talladega. It might also require Barber to make a few changes to the track such as with fencing or on pit road, although Hallman said any changes would be minor. Check out Demmons' blog at blog.al.com/blogoftomorrow. [email protected]