Since 1982 the NASCAR Nationwide Series and starting in 1995, the Camping World Truck Series have thrilled fans of short track racing at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis. Tight finishes, bent fenders and hot tempers are to be expected when these two series take to the tight confines on the .686 mile oval on a sweltering summer night. Both of the series will once again return to the track on July 29th and 30th for two action packed days of racing at the historic facility. Fans of both series should get their tickets now for the 2011 Kroger SpeedFest events at Lucas Oil Raceway as it was announced today that the Kroger 200 benefitting Riley Hospital for Children and the AAA Insurance 200 will not return to Lucas Oil Raceway during the traditional late July early August date the for the 2012 season. “We are disappointed that the NASCAR Nationwide Series and the Camping World Truck Series will not return to Lucas Oil Raceway on their customary race weekend. The Kroger 200 and the AAA Insurance 200 have long been one of the ‘can’t miss’ events for race fans in the Midwest,” said Wes Collier, general manager of Lucas Oil Raceway. “We want to use this coming Kroger SpeedFest weekend to celebrate the rich and dynamic history Lucas Oil Raceway has developed with both series and the past events by packing the stands with fans who crave thrilling race action.” The AAA Insurance 200 Camping World Truck Series race will take place on Friday, July 29th at 7:30pm/et.(Lucas Oil Raceway PR)(7-6-2011)
UPDATE: Lucas Oil founder Forrest Lucas said today that he expects to renegotiate his title sponsorship deal with Lucas Oil Raceway. Lucas said a clause in the company’s contract with the raceway allowed Lucas Oil to renegotiate its sponsorship of the track. “It’s a shock, really,” Lucas said of losing NASCAR. “One of the reasons we did the sponsorship with the track was because of the NASCAR races. It was a big deal to us.” Lucas said he did not anticipate Lucas Oil removing its sponsorship from the track, which still hosts the NHRA Mac Tools U.S. Nationals annually on Labor Day weekend, but said it does change the relationship between Lucas Oil and the raceway. “We’re going to lose a lot of value at the track for us, but I also think this is a big loss for Indianapolis,” he said. “I think it was one of the best races in the country, but it’s not going to be the same at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.”(IndyStar.com)(7-7-2011)
