Rolex 24 to change date

UPDATE This rumor is now upgraded to 'fact.' See story on Hot News page. 06/09/05 The Rolex 24 At Daytona is moving up — to a new date on the calendar. And the focus of next year's Speed Weeks will be different. The Rolex 24 At Daytona is being moved from its normal first weekend of February one week earlier to Jan. 28-29. The move is believed to be permanent, and is designed to end a longstanding first-Sunday-in-February schedule conflict between the race and the NFL's Super Bowl. Daytona International Speedway and Rolex Series officials will announce the move today. The move breaks the Rolex 24's longstanding tradition of being DIS' opening act in a three-week glut of car racing to follow. The NASCAR portion of the schedule remains unchanged, although the switch may affect testing dates. By slating the race's 44th edition for an off-weekend falling between the NFL's conference championships and ultimate game, those connected with the event say the move will allow fans to participate in both, instead of having to choose one over the other. News-Journal