Looks Like There May Be an IRL Race at Charlotte in 1997

10/21/96

Team Menard of the Indy Racing League tested at Charlotte motor Speedway, Sept 25. It was the first time an Indy car had negotiated the 1.5 banked speedway, and it was a step toward announcing an Indy car race there in 1997. John Paul drove drove some laps at 207 MPH--with the turbo boost reduced to simulate 1997 engine conditions, when the IRL-ers will be running stock block V-8s. The idea was to test the feasibility of running a full race on the track next season. Track Prexy, Humpy Wheeler, the P.T. Barnum of stock car racing down south, was enthusiastic about the test results and the possibility of luring a different type of racing fan to his speed palace in 1997. Paul raced at Charlotte in the '80s with IMSA. He filled in for the Menard test, replacing team drivers Tony Stewart and Mark Dismore, who are recovering from injuries occured at the Las Vegas IRL race last month.

Bill Maloney -- The Auto Channel