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NASCAR’s Labor Day race heading back to Southeast?
By NASCAR Scene Staff Report
Saturday, February 23, 2008
FONTANA, Calif. – Could NASCAR’s Labor Day weekend race be going back to the Southeast?
Whether Atlanta Motor Speedway and newly named Auto Club Speedway could end up swapping dates in the fall in future seasons is still to be determined, but both track presidents seem willing to talk about it.
Atlanta Motor Speedway battles college football and potential weather issues with its race in October. The race in California battled major heat on Labor Day weekend.
“Would it be beneficial? You’d have to look at all the factors that are involved,” Atlanta Motor Speedway President Ed Clark said Friday. “But I’d certainly be interested in taking a look. We’d want to research what the fan reaction would be, things like that. That’s who we really work for ... you want to keep your fans happy.”
There have been no official talks between the two tracks and NASCAR about the changes.
“There isn't a track on the circuit that wouldn't want to run their races in April and October,” Auto Club Speedway President Gillian Zucker said. “We're certainly out there asking for them, but at the end of the day, we want what is best for the sport.
“If there is a way that the schedule can be realigned, that Atlanta could get a better date and we could have a better date and that's what works, I think that would be fantastic.”
NASCAR Vice President of Racing Operations Steve O’Donnell said the 2009 schedule is currently being addressed.
“We’re in the process of putting the ’09 schedule together,” O’Donnell said. “Part of that process is talking to each of the promoters about if they want to realign, what that would entail.
“Those conversations would take place probably in the next month or so. We’ll evaluate each one and go from there. No discussion has taken place about moving events at this point.”
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20 responses to "NASCAR’s Labor Day race heading back to Southeast?". Post a Comment.
Charlie Staffeldt said:
Feb 23, 2008 at 12:23 PMMakes sence to swap one boring race with another boring race. Wouldn't want us fans to get to watch a exciting race like Darlington,Martinsville,Bristol, or Richmond on a holiday weekend.
Charlie Staffeldt said:
Feb 23, 2008 at 12:23 PMMakes sence to swap one boring race with another boring race. Wouldn't want us fans to get to watch a exciting race like Darlington,Martinsville,Bristol, or Richmond on a holiday weekend.
Norman May said:
Feb 23, 2008 at 9:29 PMActually, Atlanta is awesome track. California has quietly became a great track with multiple groves (comparable to Darlington with how the tires wear). California has been called boring because the name calling is called by people with agendas (because they think labor day belong in Darlington...which is does). In all frankness, California is a great track...just watch a race. The last 5 or 6 six race have been very good, but we cannot get past "labor day" debate. Surprisingly enough, there is more passing at California than Darlington. Let's give Labor to Darlington and give Calfornia a better date.
Linda Mitchell said:
Feb 24, 2008 at 12:03 AMI always go to the fall Atlanta race, leave it alone. You could cancel California altogether, it is a boring track anyway.
Gregg Trennepohl said:
Feb 24, 2008 at 7:36 AMI would rather see the labor day race returned to its true home, Darlington. No swap needed.
Kim Hollein said:
Feb 24, 2008 at 9:00 AMJust take the race back to where it belongs...Darlington. I always go to the fall race in Atlanta and think it's fine where it's at. Spring or Summer Atlanta hasn't been selling out anyway. I don't think a change to a different month would help. And I wouldn't really want to spend Labor Day weekend there. Darlington has the history take it back home!
LORNA SMITH said:
Feb 24, 2008 at 11:49 AMgive atlanta californias date, and move the labor day race back to darlington...calif doesn`t need 2 races, and it would save the teams lots of travel money
Mary Ann McCracken said:
Feb 24, 2008 at 4:02 PMIt was a crime when they took the race from Darlington on Labor Day and Nascar should've been penalized for that, a REAL Nascar fan doesn't let a little thing like heat and humidity get to them, heck, that's racin'
CATHI DEAL said:
Feb 24, 2008 at 4:19 PMOKAY NASCAR ... now hear this. You want to get your Core Fans' attention? Want to make them believe you really value them? Then here's your chance - return the Labor Day race back to where it began - Darlington. Here's a chance to put your money where your mouths are...so let's see what happens.
larry sherborn said:
Feb 24, 2008 at 4:24 PMLeave Atlanta alone,Oct. is a great date for being down there!!!
Charlie Staffeldt said:
Mar 17, 2008 at 9:11 PMMakes sence to swap one boring race with another boring race. Wouldn't want us fans to get to watch a exciting race like Darlington,Martinsville,Bristol, or Richmond on a holiday weekend.
Charlie Staffeldt said:
Mar 17, 2008 at 9:11 PMMakes sence to swap one boring race with another boring race. Wouldn't want us fans to get to watch a exciting race like Darlington,Martinsville,Bristol, or Richmond on a holiday weekend.
Norman May said:
Mar 17, 2008 at 9:11 PMActually, Atlanta is awesome track. California has quietly became a great track with multiple groves (comparable to Darlington with how the tires wear). California has been called boring because the name calling is called by people with agendas (because they think labor day belong in Darlington...which is does). In all frankness, California is a great track...just watch a race. The last 5 or 6 six race have been very good, but we cannot get past "labor day" debate. Surprisingly enough, there is more passing at California than Darlington. Let's give Labor to Darlington and give Calfornia a better date.
Linda Mitchell said:
Mar 17, 2008 at 9:11 PMI always go to the fall Atlanta race, leave it alone. You could cancel California altogether, it is a boring track anyway.
Gregg Trennepohl said:
Mar 17, 2008 at 9:11 PMI would rather see the labor day race returned to its true home, Darlington. No swap needed.
Kim Hollein said:
Mar 17, 2008 at 9:11 PMJust take the race back to where it belongs...Darlington. I always go to the fall race in Atlanta and think it's fine where it's at. Spring or Summer Atlanta hasn't been selling out anyway. I don't think a change to a different month would help. And I wouldn't really want to spend Labor Day weekend there. Darlington has the history take it back home!
LORNA SMITH said:
Mar 17, 2008 at 9:11 PMgive atlanta californias date, and move the labor day race back to darlington...calif doesn`t need 2 races, and it would save the teams lots of travel money
Mary Ann McCracken said:
Mar 17, 2008 at 9:11 PMIt was a crime when they took the race from Darlington on Labor Day and Nascar should've been penalized for that, a REAL Nascar fan doesn't let a little thing like heat and humidity get to them, heck, that's racin'
CATHI DEAL said:
Mar 17, 2008 at 9:11 PMOKAY NASCAR ... now hear this. You want to get your Core Fans' attention? Want to make them believe you really value them? Then here's your chance - return the Labor Day race back to where it began - Darlington. Here's a chance to put your money where your mouths are...so let's see what happens.
larry sherborn said:
Mar 17, 2008 at 9:11 PMLeave Atlanta alone,Oct. is a great date for being down there!!!