NASCAR adjusts New Hampshire schedule
By Dave Rodman, Turner Sports Interactive
September 12, 2001
2:07 PM EDT (1807 GMT)
ATLANTA -- While the United States and the entire world reeled from the ferocity of an unprecedented assault by terrorists Tuesday morning, NASCAR race tracks across the country contemplated changes to events scheduled this weekend.
NASCAR officials Tuesday evening announced that activities scheduled for Friday at New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon -- including Bud Pole Award Qualifying for Sunday’s NASCAR Winston Cup New Hampshire 300 -- have been cancelled.
The 43-car field for Sunday’s 300-lap event, the 27th in the 36-race season, will be set according to the 2001 NASCAR Winston Cup Series rule book.
“Our country has experienced a terrible tragedy today,” NASCAR president Mike Helton said. “All of the NASCAR community offers our sincerest sympathies to all those who have suffered losses. We will continue to monitor and evaluate this situation and make the appropriate decisions as the week progresses.”
As of Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday track activities at NHIS remain unchanged.
Meanwhile, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series’ Silverado 350 scheduled for Saturday afternoon at Texas Motor Speedway remains on schedule, TMS president Eddie Gossage said Tuesday evening.
"We are all deeply saddened by this national tragedy and our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families," Gossage said. "We have been in discussions with both the Indy Racing League and NASCAR and are discussing the possible options. At this time, we are moving ahead as planned for the Chevy 500 race week events."
A final decision on the status of the RPM Week-Texas events will be announced on Wednesday.
There are several events scheduled for the Chevy 500 race week including the Silverado 350 and the Chevy 500 Indy Racing Northern Light Series season finale on Sunday. The Dallas Morning News Pole Day is Friday, with qualifying for both series.
The Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track is also scheduled to host three nights of racing with the Pennzoil World of Outlaws O'Reilly Texas Showdown on Friday and Saturday and the UDTRA Wolf Brand Chili Challenge on Thursday.
NASCAR canceled its regular Tuesday afternoon Busch Series and Craftsman Truck Series media teleconference “due to the tragic events of this morning.”
The Thursday NASCAR Touring track activity at NHIS was canceled Tuesday night by track officials, NHIS public relations director Fred Neergaard said. Practice and Bud Pole Qualifying for the Busch North Series and Featherlite Modified Series will be held Friday. The races will be held as scheduled Saturday afternoon.
| 
