NASCAR looks to usurp IndyCar in Las Vegas

NASCAR's 2010 Sprint Cup schedule is expected to have a considerably different look next season, including the site of the season finale. Some changes are expected in response to requests from major track owners International Speedway Corp. and Speedway Motorsports Inc., but several other race dates are believed to be in play. Several sources told the Observer and ThatsRacin.com on Sunday that changes being contemplated include the season's final race, now held at Miami-Homestead. That ISC-owned track could get the second race of the 2011 season. Auto Club Speedway currently occupies that spot on the schedule. The sources said two tracks figure in the options being considered to replace Homestead as host of the season's final race weekend: Las Vegas and Daytona. A Las Vegas finale could make it more convenient for fans, teams, media and others to attend NASCAR's season-ending awards events. Those events, held in New York City for years, moved to the desert gambling-and-resort city for the first time last year. A season finale at Daytona would add a second restrictor-plate race to the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Charlotte Observer

Rumor has it that NASCAR decided to move their season finale from Homestead to Las Vegas to undermine IndyCar. Randy Bernard is on record as wanting to move the IndyCar season finale to Bruton Smith's Las Vegas track. Rumor has it that the France family doesn't want Bruton to do that and has offered them a carrot and a stick – they will move the NASCAR season finale to Las Vegas and Bruton won't get his Kentucky Cup date if he also lets the IRL have their season finale in Las Vegas. So if the IRL's plans to have their finale in Las Vegas fail, you'll know why. Without a doubt, NASCAR is the #1 enemy of the IRL. The IRL is learning this and is finally reacting, with rumors they may drop all their ISC (France family) tracks.