Champ Car is accusing NASCAR of trying to sabotage a proposed race in downtown Phoenix next year in an effort to do away with all street racing in this country. And stock car racing's major sanctioning body claims nothing could be further from the truth. Today in the state legislature a bill will be introduced that calls for a decibel level for any future motor sports events in a city or town in Arizona. "NASCAR and ISC have spent the past few weeks trying to undermine our proposed race in Phoenix and it's my understanding that NASCAR has hired 22 lobbyists to beat us up," said Kevin Kalkhoven, who co-owns Champ Car with Gerald Forsythe. "Why are they afraid of our product? Is big, bad NASCAR afraid of open competition?" Jim Hunter, NASCAR's vice president of corporate communications, responded to those charges by stating: "Neither NASCAR, nor any of its representatives, agents, or employees, has taken a position on Champ Car's proposed event in Phoenix or participated in any conduct that would impede Champ Car's ability to run an event. Nor is it in NASCAR's best interest to do so. "NASCAR understands that in order to keep motorsports healthy and vibrant in North America, it is imperative that race tracks and race fans have a broad "product list" from which to choose."(read more at Robin Miller's Speed Channel column)(6-2-2006)
Those Champ Car guys always got a beef with somebody. This is why open-wheel racing has taken a pounding.
Those Champ Car guys always got a beef with somebody. This is why open-wheel racing has taken a pounding.