Milwaukee Mile 2007 IndyCar Date Announcement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MILWAUKEE MILE 100 YEARS AND ACCELERATING Contact: Jim Tretow, Milwaukee Mile Media & Comm., jtretow@milwaukeemile.com, 414-453-5761 INDYCARS RETURN WEEKEND AFTER INDY 500 TO THE MILWAUKEE MILE MILWAUKEE, WI (August 10, 2006) - Accompanied by Indy Racing League officials, The Milwaukee Mile today announced that the IRL IndyCar Series will return next year to The Milwaukee Mile on its traditional Sunday date, one week after the Indianapolis 500. The ABC Supply/A.J. Foyt Indy 225 IRL IndyCar Series event at 'America's Legendary Oval' will move to June 3, 2007, one week after the 91st Indianapolis 500, resurrecting a tradition that began in 1947. Moreover, the race will be televised live nationally by the ABC/ESPN family of networks, with an anticipated 2:30 p.m. start time. "We are excited for our loyal fans to be able to bring the stars of the Indianapolis 500 back to The Milwaukee Mile the first weekend in June," stated Andy Randall, Milwaukee Mile President and CEO. "We are proud to continue this strong racing tradition, and we begin building toward an exciting June 2-3, 2007 event weekend starting today." The IndyCar Series has competed at The Mile in the month of July the last three summers, dating back to 2004. "The Milwaukee Mile and Indy-style racing have had a long and storied history," IRL President and COO Brian Barnhart said. "For the last three years, we've been able to showcase our sport to the race fans in Wisconsin, and now we can complete the circle by reuniting the cars and drivers of the Indianapolis 500 with the traditional post-Indianapolis 500 date in Milwaukee." In the 48 occasions of the Indianapolis 500 and the IndyCar race at The Mile the following weekend, eight drivers have been able to win both races: 1956 - Pat Flaherty; 1964 - A.J. Foyt; 1971 - Al Unser; 1974 - Johnny Rutherford; 1982 - Gordon Johncock; 1983 - Tom Sneva; 1988 - Rick Mears; and 1994 - Al Unser, Jr. Adding to the historical significance of the event is that driving legend A.J. Foyt has granted permission to use his name in the race title, and his team sponsor ABC Supply Co., Inc. of Beloit is the event entitlement sponsor. Foyt won a total of 10 major races at The Milwaukee Mile, including four IndyCar events. "I think it's a good move. I'm glad they're going back to the old date because it was very popular with the fans and the racers," Foyt said. I always enjoyed going to Milwaukee right after Indy because it was fun. Indy puts a lot of stress on you but Milwaukee was always a good time - you're more relaxed. I'm a little less relaxed now because it is such a big event for our team with it being the home track for ABC Supply, which also sponsors the race." The Sunday, June 3, 2007 IndyCar race will mark the third consecutive event at The Milwaukee Mile with the involvement of ABC Supply Co., Inc., the largest wholesale distributor of roofing and siding materials, tools and supplies in the United States. The company's headquarters is located just 70 miles west and south of The Mile in Beloit, Wisconsin. "We are very pleased that The Milwaukee Mile is returning to its roots with the traditional IndyCar race date immediately following the Indy 500," commented David Luck, ABC Supply President and COO. "Next year is our 25th anniversary as a company and A.J.'s 50th year at Indy, so we all have a lot to celebrate. We look forward to carrying the momentum from this historic Indy 500 back home to Wisconsin and celebrating the rich history and tradition of our company, A.J. Foyt, and The Milwaukee Mile." The Milwaukee Mile is America's oldest active speedway, with motorized racing events dating back to 1903. Many of the drivers that competed in the very first Indianapolis 500 in 1911 - and virtually every Indy 500 since - have competed in racing events at The Milwaukee Mile. Joining the IRL IndyCar Series once again will be the Indy Pro Series the weekend of June 2-3, 2007. Further announcements regarding the 2007 Milwaukee Mile season schedule will be made in the near future. For complete details on The Milwaukee Mile, visit www.milwaukeemile.com <http://www.milwaukeemile.com/> . # # #