Soggy conditions below ground, however, left Kentucky Speedway track workers dealing with water seeping onto portions of the 1.5-mile track that led to the cancellation Tuesday of a scheduled ARCA RE/MAX Series test session. Track officials reacted swiftly and announced that the track will be closed to any on-track testing for at least the next two weeks. “We want to make sure it’s safe for the race car drivers and the teams,” Kentucky Speedway spokesman Tim Bray said. “We’re taking a proactive approach to it. We have everybody’s interests in mind. The track is fine. There’s just been so much water that we just need to make sure that what’s under the track is dried out.” The snow and rain that have flooded parts of the region since February is being blamed. Track workers spent several hours Tuesday trying to dry the surface and concentrated their efforts on problem spots in Turns 3 and 4. Thirteen ARCA RE/MAX Series drivers were at the track Tuesday. The speedway will open its 2008 season with the ARCA RE/MAX Series May 10. “The test session will not be rescheduled, based on our schedule, what we’re looking at ahead here,” ARCA RE/MAX Series spokesman Don Radebaugh said. The temporary shutdown comes as nine Sprint Cup teams were scheduled to spend today [Wednesday] testing their cars at the speedway. Joe Gibbs Racing, Penske Racing, Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Gillett Evernham Motorsports, which tried to test last week at the track but could not because of the seepage, were among those scheduled. “We’re monitoring it and want to make sure we’re ready when the bell rings,” Bray said. “Today was just unfortunate. It’s not a huge deal because we’re aware of it, and we are taking every step to make sure it’s ready to go when we go racing.”(Cincinnati Enquirer)(4-16-2008)
