TRACKS: New Dirt Track Underway at Texas Motor Speedway
13 August 1999
New Dirt Track Underway at Texas Motor Speedway
FORT WORTH, Tex. and DALLAS, Aug. 12 -- One of the largest
spectator sports facilities in the Fort Worth-Dallas market broke ground today
as Texas Motor Speedway officials announced plans to build a $2.5 million
clay-surfaced track and host prestigious Pennzoil World of Outlaws sprint car
races in 2000.
Work will begin immediately on the 4/10-mile track which will seat
approximately 15,000. The facility will be used for a variety of events
including Pennzoil World of Outlaws races in conjunction with the speedway's
spring Winston Cup and fall Pep Boys Indy Racing League events.
"We are entering a 'New Millennium of Speed,'" said speedway general
manager Eddie Gossage. "We're adding a facility with seating equivalent to a
sold-out Reunion Arena. This is big news -- not only from a sports
perspective, but also for the economic impact this will have. It means more
jobs and more sales tax to be collected as a result of speedway events.
"We will also consider USAC (United States Auto Club) and motorcycle races
on this track, as well as occasional special events designed to support
local dirt tracks," Gossage said.
Speedway Motorsports Chairman Bruton Smith was on hand for the
announcement. "The addition of the new facility will give our fans another
form of great racing at one of the finest speedways in the country," said
Smith.
The four to five-acre facility will be located on the southwestern part of
the speedway property, outside of turn one of the 1.5-mile speedway. The
straightaways will be 70 feet wide with eight-degree banking and 80 feet
wide in the corners with ten- degree banking. The facility will also have a
number of luxury suites. A state-of-the-art Musco lighting system will be
installed to support the TNN Network television telecasts. More than 65,000
spectators are expected to attend the programs.
"This state-of-the-art superspeedway will also now be home to one of the
finest facilities for our sport," said Steve Kinser, the 15-time Pennzoil
World of Outlaws sprint car champion. "I can't wait to race here next
year."
Kinser helped break the ribbon stretched across the start-finish line by
driving a winged sprint car through it.
World of Outlaws president Ted Johnson was also on hand for the
announcement.
"This is going to take the World of Outlaws to another level," said
Johnson. "Joining forces with TNN Motorsports several years ago took us to a
high level, and now with Speedway Motorsports, Inc., building new speedways
for us, we'll go even higher."
The Pennzoil World of Outlaws features open-wheel, front-engine sprint
cars powered by 410 cubic inch engines that produce 800 horsepower. The cars
are based on a chrome-moly chassis and feature a 25-square-foot top wing that
aids in cornering speed and serves as additional safety feature in case of a
rollover.
The facility is scheduled to be completed for the spring 2000 NASCAR
Winston Cup race week. Other racing facilities at Texas Motor Speedway
include the 1.5-mile superspeedway along with quarter-mile and one-fifth mile
paved ovals.
Tickets for the new speedway will be offered to Texas Motor Speedway
Preferred Seat License and season ticket holders initially. The remainder,
if available, will be offered to the public later. The ticket sale dates
will be announced shortly.
Speedway Motorsports, Inc. is a leading marketer and promoter
of motorsports entertainment in the United States. The company owns and
operates Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Lowe's Motor Speedway
at Charlotte, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Sears Point Raceway and Texas Motor
Speedway.
Speedway Motorsports also provides event food, beverage and souvenir
merchandising services through its Finish Line Events subsidiary and
manufactures and distributes smaller-scale, modified racing cars through its
600 Racing subsidiary.