Road America to replace Milwaukee on 2010 Nationwide Series schedule
The green flag waves for the first NASCAR race run at Road America on Aug. 12, 1956.
// Road America Archives,
NASCAR officials announced Monday that Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis., will host a Nationwide Series race on June 19, replacing an event previously scheduled at the Milwaukee Mile.
Officials from the Milwaukee Mile said last week the famed track would not host any NASCAR national events in 2010.
A NASCAR spokesperson said a replacement for Milwaukee’s scheduled Camping World Truck Series race will be announced at a later date.
The 4.048-mile, 14-turn Road America road course will join Watkins Glen International and Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal in hosting Nationwide road races in 2010.
“We’re excited to be staying in Wisconsin and racing in front of the passionate fans there at a historic venue that’s new to our NASCAR Nationwide Series,” NASCAR Vice President of Racing Operations Steve O’Donnell said in a news release
Road America last hosted a national series event in 1956, when Tim Flock won in what is now known as the Sprint Cup series. The track was in its second year of operation.
“It’s a really great race track,” said Wisconsin native Paul Menard, who won a NASCAR Re/Max Challenge race there in 2001. “It’s in a very picturesque setting in the Wisconsin countryside. It has every kind of corner you can imagine. When I was a kid, my dad would take me to Road America. The fans love it there.
“By the second practice, I’m sure everyone will be up to speed because the drivers are so good in the Nationwide Series. Braking will be the hardest aspect. Strategy will play a big part in this race. I’m really excited about [the series] running there.”
NASCAR said teams will be allowed a full day of practice on June 17 at Road America before the track officially opens a day later. The sanctioning body used the same procedure at Iowa Speedway in 2009.
“Road America is a very unique track that will provide great racing and will test driver skill and ability on what is a very large course,” Nationwide Series Director Joe Balash said. “And yes, we’ll be prepared to race in the rain if necessary.”
The last two races at Montreal were held in the rain, the only two times in NASCAR history a national series race was contested in wet weather.
