Brickyard 400 moved back a week, Kentucky an issue
In 2011, the tracks will have Sprint Cup Series races in the same month. Kentucky's new one is set for July 9; the Brickyard 400 is scheduled July 31.
The Brickyard date is a week later than this year, coming after an open weekend in the Sprint Cup calendar.
Assuming Kentucky Speedway owner Bruton Smith delivers on his promise to nearly double the seating capacity at the track not far from Vevay, Ind. — from 66,000 to 116,000 — the tracks will have a combined 373,000 tickets to sell for races just three weeks apart.
Factor in two Sprint Cup races at Michigan International Speedway — June 19 and Aug. 21 — a Sept. 18 race at Chicagoland Speedway and several Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series races at various Midwest tracks, including O'Reilly Raceway Park, and it's easy to call the region flooded with stock cars.
"A crowded market, for sure," IMS boss Jeff Belskus said.
He worries about overkill, particularly when the Brickyard has seen significant attendance drops the past two years. Estimates ranged from 120,000 to 140,000 for last month's 17th annual race.
"It's more than just the economy," Belskus said. "Part of it is saturation." Indy Star
08/12/10 The Brickyard 400 has a new date. As part of NASCAR's sweeping schedule changes for the 2011 Sprint Cup Series season, the race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway will be held July 31, a week later than this year's event.
The move was chosen by IMS officials to create more space between the 400 and the new Sprint Cup race at nearby Kentucky Speedway, which will be July 9. The two events will be separated by three weeks, with an open weekend in the Sprint Cup schedule prior to the 400. The 400 has been held in July the past four years.
From its inaugural year in 1994 to 2006, the race was held on the first Sunday in August. Indy Star