Indy Racing to headline open wheel fesival at Nazareth

USAC Silver Crown, Sprint, Midget races also on weekend schedule

    ALLENTOWN, Pa., Monday, Oct. 29, 2001 - The Indy Racing Northern
Light Series will headline an exciting, unique weekend of open-wheel
racing April 19-21, 2002, at Nazareth Speedway.
    Also competing that weekend at the D-shaped, 1-mile oval in the
Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania will be the top three USAC divisions:
Silver Crown, Sprint Car and Midget.
    The Nazareth weekend also will mark the debut of Indy Racing at
the facility, which originally opened as a 1 1/8th-mile dirt oval in
1966. It's the first time that USAC's top three National racing series
will share the same pavement oval on the same weekend.
"The Indy Racing League is looking forward to racing at Nazareth
Speedway in 2002," said Brian Barnhart, Indy Racing League vice
president of operations. "Open-wheel racing has a rich tradition in that
area, and our teams are eager to race in front of those fans. Nazareth
officials have created an exciting open wheel weekend, and we are proud
to be a part of it."
    Joining Barnhart at today's schedule announcement were Indy
Racing standout Robbie Buhl, USAC standouts John Heydenreich and Aaron
Fike, and Pennsylvania Senator Charles Dent. Buhl also tested on the
oval before and after the midday announcement.
Indy Racing Northern Light Series and USAC Silver Crown Series races
will take place Sunday, April 21, with the Indy Racing event live on ABC
Sports. USAC Sprint Car and Midget races will take place Saturday, April
20 with Indy Racing and Silver Crown qualifying that day.
    "I join with the entire community in welcoming the Indy Racing
League and USAC to the Lehigh Valley." Nazareth Speedway President Craig
Rust said. "Our guests are excited about seeing the stars of the Indy
Racing League and United States Auto Club competing in this inaugural
event. The April 19-21 weekend at Nazareth Speedway is truly a
must-attend event.
    "Our guests will also find new fan friendly ticket pricing for
this inaugural event. We have made this special weekend very affordable
for the entire family."
Reserved advance purchase adult tickets for Sunday are only $45, and a
Sunday general admission ticket costs $35. A general admission ticket
for children 12 and under is $15. General admission tickets for Saturday
are $20 for adults and $10 for children.
Tickets for the inaugural Indy Racing League weekend will go on sale
Saturday, Dec. 15, 2001. A limited number of reserved Sunday seats will
be available. Call (888) 629-RACE or visit www.nazarethspeedway.com for
more information.