Some things in life just make you scratch your head in disbelief, while other things just leave you wondering, “Why?”
In the world of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, there never seems to be a shortage of those head-scratching moments, but just earlier this week the former owners of Kentucky Speedway have many in the sport not just asking “Why?” but also “When?” When, as in when will Kentucky Speedway LLC finally drop its federal antitrust lawsuit so that current owners Speedway Motorsports Inc. can start moving forward to add the track to the Sprint Cup schedule?
SMI officials told The Associated Press on Monday that an official request has been made with NASCAR to add Kentucky Speedway to the 2010 schedule and relinquish a race at one of its seven other tracks that currently host a Sprint Cup event.
No offer can be officially accepted, though, as NASCAR has reportedly said that no requests will be considered until the former owners drop their lawsuit, which is currently on appeal in the Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.
Kentucky Speedway LLC filed its lawsuit against NASCAR and International Speedway Corp. in July, 2005, claiming that NASCAR and ISC violated federal antitrust laws by conspiring to keep the Kentucky track from hosting any Sprint Cup events.
U.S. Judge William O. Bertlesman of the Eastern District of Kentucky dismissed the suit in January 2008, ruling that Kentucky Speedway LLC had “failed to make out its case” against NASCAR and ISC.
Kentucky Speedway LLC appealed the ruling three days later.
SMI CEO Bruton Smith purchased Kentucky Speedway from its former owners later in the year for a reported $78.3 million.
Kentucky Speedway LLC seems to be holding on to whatever is left of this case for pure monetary reasons, namely its seeking of damages, treble damages and attorneys fees for a case that has unmeritously dragged on for what is entering its fourth year.
In its original complaint, Kentucky Speedway LLC sought an award of a Sprint Cup race for the 2006 season, and although it may be later than requested, Kentucky Speedway finally has its chance to get that race.
Kentucky Speedway LLC has no other stake in the outcome of this case, and although it may not be getting what it wanted when it sought it, it is nonetheless in position to finally get it.
It’s time to finally give up this lost cause and cut the proverbial apron strings.
Kentucky Speedway LLC is only standing in the way of pure progression.
POCONO NOTES
Pocono Raceway recently announced two new ticket packages for its two Sprint Cup races this year in a press release on its Web site, www.poconoraceway.com.
As part of the promotion, fans have the opportunity to either purchase terrace or concourse grandstand seat tickets and a VIP card “redeemable for a weekend rental of a NASCAR Sprint FanView” or purchase two “specially priced” terrace or concourse seat tickets and receive a free DVD containing the full race broadcast, plus bonus material, which includes wallpapers and screensavers, as well as a 5-by-7-inch print by official NASCAR artist Stephen Black.
For more information on the Pocono race packages, check out the Pocono Raceway Web site or contact the track at 1.800.RACEWAY.
w
2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Points Standings
Rank…Driver…Points…Behind
1.…Jeff Gordon…1441…---
2.…Kurt Busch…1431…10
3.…Tony Stewart…1402…39
4.…Denny Hamlin…1321…120
5.…Kyle Busch…1314…127
6.…Jimmie Johnson…1290…151
7.…Jeff Burton…1257…184
8.…Clint Bowyer…1212…229
9.…Carl Edwards…1204…237
10.…Ryan Newman…1198…243
11.…Greg Biffle…1193…248
12.…Matt Kenseth…1187…254
| Tweet | Follow @wkdr |
|
|
