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Milwaukee Mile board, NASCAR make agreement
By DAVE KALLMANN
For its first 99 years in business, the Milwaukee Mile ran all its major races during the day, but now a one-year trial is shaping up as a trend.
Boosted by positive reaction last May to the first nighttime race in CART Champ Car history, the venerable track has shifted the timing on its NASCAR weekend, as well, taking both Craftsman Truck Series and Busch Series races under the lights in 2004.
After months of discussion between Mile and NASCAR officials, the move became official Tuesday at a board of directors meeting for the State Fair Park, which owns the facility.
The 200-mile NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race is now set for Friday, June 25, and the 250-mile Busch Series event for Saturday, June 26.
"I think it's pretty cool," said Travis Kvapil, the Truck Series champion and a native of Janesville. "I watched the CART race last summer and hardly recognized the place on TV.
"I love night racing, and it's better for the fans. There's just a little more excitement, it seems like, in the air. You get to see sparks fly, and (the cars) always look faster at night."
That increased excitement is precisely the reason for the change, said Mark Perrone, general manager for the track.
The Mile had contemplated racing the trucks at night in the past as a way to boost attendance for that division. Discussions with NASCAR led to taking both races under the lights.
The rest of the article can be found here.
By DAVE KALLMANN
For its first 99 years in business, the Milwaukee Mile ran all its major races during the day, but now a one-year trial is shaping up as a trend.
Boosted by positive reaction last May to the first nighttime race in CART Champ Car history, the venerable track has shifted the timing on its NASCAR weekend, as well, taking both Craftsman Truck Series and Busch Series races under the lights in 2004.
After months of discussion between Mile and NASCAR officials, the move became official Tuesday at a board of directors meeting for the State Fair Park, which owns the facility.
The 200-mile NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race is now set for Friday, June 25, and the 250-mile Busch Series event for Saturday, June 26.
"I think it's pretty cool," said Travis Kvapil, the Truck Series champion and a native of Janesville. "I watched the CART race last summer and hardly recognized the place on TV.
"I love night racing, and it's better for the fans. There's just a little more excitement, it seems like, in the air. You get to see sparks fly, and (the cars) always look faster at night."
That increased excitement is precisely the reason for the change, said Mark Perrone, general manager for the track.
The Mile had contemplated racing the trucks at night in the past as a way to boost attendance for that division. Discussions with NASCAR led to taking both races under the lights.
The rest of the article can be found here.