USAC: Speeds too fast to race at Nashville next week; Race cancelled
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
July 12, 2001
The United States Auto Club (USAC) has received testing data from team tests conducted at Nashville Superspeedway last week that shows a substantial increase in lap speeds over tests conducted by USAC in May. Because of the findings, the Friday, July 20 "Recycle Used Oil 100" USAC Coors Light Silver Bullet Series will be withdrawn from the weekend activities. The Harrah's Indy 200 Indy Racing League schedule will not be affected.
"It appears the additional grinding carried out after the May test has produced a surface that is too good for our Silver Bullet race cars," USAC President & CEO Johnny Capels said. "The additional speeds achieved, due to the smoothness and the excellent traction of the new surface, are beyond the design capabilities of our race cars."
After a very positive first test on May 15 when USAC recorded a new speed record (153.6 mph) for the Coors Light Silver Bullet Series on the 1.33-mile "D" shaped oval superspeedway, further improvements were made to the track, including smoothing a portion of turn 3. The improvements were made at the request of USAC.
"Although the superspeedway will adapt to numerous racing formulas," Capels said, "the rules governing the USAC Coors Light Silver Bullet Series do not allow aerodynamic aids to the chassis and the traditional design of these machines does not contribute to producing a stable car at the speeds being produced."
The Nashville Superspeedway was informed about the decision early this week.
"The Silver Bullet Series is very exciting, but unfortunately the high speeds are not suitable for the safety of everyone involved," Nashville Superspeedway Vice President & General Manager Cliff Hawks said. "While the track is too fast for the USAC Coors Light Silver Bullet Series, the track will provide excellent racing for the Harrah's Indy 200."
The Indy Racing League (IRL) held two days of practice July 10 and 11 with very positive results.
"Our drivers are very pleased with the track, as indicated by three days of private testing," IRL Vice President of Operations Brian Barnhart said. "We are looking forward to racing next weekend with a close, competitive race for the "Harrah's Indy 200."
Ticket holders for Friday can present their ticket at the Fan Walk Shuttle Pick Up for a complimentary "Cold Pit" pass The "Cold Pit" pass will give fans an all access to the garage area, at all times, and pit road when the track is not hot. The IRL practice and qualifying schedule will remain the same.
A few tickets are available for purchase for the Harrah's Indy 200 event. For ticket information, call Nashville Superspeedway toll-free (866) RACE-TIX, or log on to the Internet at www.nashvillesuperspeedway.com.
The next USAC Coors Light Silver Bullet Series event will be the August 2 "J.D. Byrider 100" at Indianapolis Raceway Park.
Text provided by Dick Jordan
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