(By David Exum, Associate Editor, CupScene.com)
Posted: Thursday,July 28th, 2011
There is heartbreak in the heartland this weekend.
Although Lucas Oil Raceway General Manager Wes Collier did his best to paint a positive picture concerning the final weekend of NASCAR racing, the fact remains that once the checkered flag falls Saturday night, NASCAR racing will become a thing of the past at this intimate short-track just outside of Indianapolis.
“Bittersweet. That’s the right word,” Collier told CupScene.com in a phone interview Thursday regarding NASCAR’s decision to end its 30-year relationship.
NASCAR announced July 6 that the Nationwide Series race would be moved to Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2012. Collier also confirmed to CupScene.com that LOR requested that the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series not return next season.
NASCAR announced July 6 that the Nationwide Series race would be moved to Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2012. Collier also confirmed to CupScene.com that LOR requested that the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series not return next season. (Getty Images)
“We’re very disappointed about the decision that was made with Nationwide going over to IMS,” said Collier. “But at the same time, we are celebrating 30 years of NASCAR here and celebrating Kroger, as well.”
The Kroger Co., a supermarket chained based in Cincinnati, has been the track’s primary sponsor for the Nationwide Series race since 1982. Over the years, NASCAR stars of today such as Greg Biffle, Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards and Dale Earnhardt Jr., have won Nationwide races at the .686-mile oval.
“It is bittersweet because it’s just not disappointing from a facility point of view. There has been so many people who’ve put their heart and soul into this place to make this event what it is.”
Originally named Indianapolis Raceway Park, the short-track has gone through some sponsorship name changes over the past few years. The track was renamed O’Reilly Raceway Park in 2006 and was then became Lucas Oil Raceway in 2011. The National Hot Rod Association owns the facility.
“This was pretty much NASCAR’s decision and there wasn’t a thing we could do about it,” said Collier. “By all means we wanted to keep that (Nationwide) event here and we were willing to do whatever it took to make that happen.”
During a teleconference earlier this month, NASCAR President Mike Helton said it wasn’t an easy decision to make. Helton further explained that combing Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Grand-Am at the famed Indy facility creates a “world-class motorsports event”.
Despite the track losing its NASCAR dates, Collier stressed fans are in for a great weekend of stockcar racing as both USAC and ARCA will also be competing Thursday evening.
“We’re not going to sit here and just mope around,” said Collier. “We’re going to put on the best show we can and go out with a bang.”
While Saturday’s Nationwide race is close to being a sellout, Collier said tickets are still available for the Kroger 200, which will be televised live on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. Friday night’s Truck race will also be televised live on SPEED at 7:30 p.m.
Dave Exum formerly worked as copy editor/web coordinator for NASCAR Scene. He also worked for the Boston Herald covering NASCAR for 10 years. He resides in Concord, N.C.
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