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IRL: Pep Boys Indy Racing League Will Not Return to NHIS in '99INDIANAPOLIS, - Pep Boys Indy Racing League and New Hampshire International Speedway officials announced today that the series will not renew its contract with New Hampshire International Speedway, and will therefore not return to the venue in 1999. "We have come to this mutual decision with mixed feelings; New Hampshire International Speedway is a great facility, the drivers love the track, and the area's open- wheel fans and the local community have always warmly welcomed the teams, competitors and officials of the IRL," said IRL Executive Director Leo Mehl. "The bottom line is, for whatever reasons, open-wheel Indy-style racing has been unable to draw a significant audience in Loudon." Indy-style cars first appeared at the Loudon, N.H. facility in 1992, and have competed there as part of the Pep Boys IRL series since 1996. The most recent event, the New England 200, took place on Sunday, June 28, 1998, and was won by Tony Stewart. "The IRL teams and drivers have given us three exciting races. However, for many reasons, it just hasn't worked here in New Hampshire," said NHIS Chairman of the Board Bob Bahre. The IRL does not consider its relationship with NHIS to be over permanently, according to Mehl. "Our hope is that as the series continues to grow in terms of exposure and popularity, we will have the opportunity to return to NHIS in the future."
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