TheOldProgrammer
August 6th, 2010, 8:35 AM
Latest schedule rumors: Multiple sources have told SPEED.com that Chicagoland Speedway will host the opening race to the 2011 Chase for the Sprint Cup, with New Hampshire Motor Speedway moving back to the second Chase race. Contacted for comment, Chicagoland officials neither confirmed nor denied its 2011 slot in the Chase. Elsewhere, the other dominoes have begun to fall for the 2011 Sprint Cup schedule, which sources tell SPEED.com will be released Aug. 18. Atlanta officials confirmed Thursday what had long been rumored - that it will host just one NASCAR Sprint Cup weekend next year. Kentucky Speedway officials, meanwhile, have a press conference scheduled next week to announce that they will host a Cup race for the first time next season, likely getting a July date at the expense of Atlanta. Of course, Atlanta's traditional first race date is in March, indicating that there will be quite a bit of schedule juggling to come. But if Chicagoland's race moves to September and the Chase, that would free up a mid-July date for Kentucky to host its Cup race. Atlanta losing a date is a done deal. Kentucky Speedway picking up one is also a done deal. Kansas Speedway is nearly certain to get a second date, likely at the expense of Auto Club Speedway in Southern California, or perhaps Martinsville Speedway. Among the other possibilities for 2011:
• At least one of Texas's two races would be run at night. Texas will make its announcement Aug. 17 at the House of Blues in Dallas. A media release issued Thursday said the track would "reveal dramatic changes," and that France would be in attendance for the event.
• Phoenix would have an earlier slot on the schedule, perhaps moving up to as early as the second race of the year. Contacted by SPEED.com.
• A spokesperson for Dover confirmed that that track will have two Cup races next year, although no dates were announced.
• Although Las Vegas Motor Speedway has lobbied hard for a second date, specifically to host the season-ending race, the 2011 Sprint Cup season is expected to once again conclude at Homestead-Miami Speedway.(SPEEDtv)(8-6-2010)
:smoke
• At least one of Texas's two races would be run at night. Texas will make its announcement Aug. 17 at the House of Blues in Dallas. A media release issued Thursday said the track would "reveal dramatic changes," and that France would be in attendance for the event.
• Phoenix would have an earlier slot on the schedule, perhaps moving up to as early as the second race of the year. Contacted by SPEED.com.
• A spokesperson for Dover confirmed that that track will have two Cup races next year, although no dates were announced.
• Although Las Vegas Motor Speedway has lobbied hard for a second date, specifically to host the season-ending race, the 2011 Sprint Cup season is expected to once again conclude at Homestead-Miami Speedway.(SPEEDtv)(8-6-2010)
:smoke