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NASCAR releases tentative 2005 Nextel Cup slate

From Press Release May 14, 2004
2:03 PM EDT (1803 GMT)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- NASCAR announced Friday the next phase in the sanctioning body's schedule realignment process. Keeping pace with the increasing demands of NASCAR's nationwide growth in popularity, the 36-race 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series schedule has been adjusted to address that growth, via the following changes:



	Brian France

New NASCAR Nextel Cup race dates have been sanctioned at Texas Motor Speedway and Phoenix International Raceway. Texas Motor Speedway's new event will be held on Nov. 6; as the season's 34th event, it will be crucial in the 10-race "Chase for the NASCAR Nextel Cup" that determines the series champion. Phoenix International Raceway's new race will be on Saturday night, April 23. Texas retains its spring date (April 17), while Phoenix retains the next-to-last slot on the schedule (Nov. 13).

North Carolina Speedway will not be on the schedule after this season.

Darlington Raceway now will have one date on the schedule, with the track's fall race moving from Nov. to the evening of Saturday, May 7.

California Speedway will have the first of its two events on Feb. 27, one week after the season-opening Daytona 500 -- the date previously held by North Carolina Speedway. Thus, the series will now travel from the season's biggest race to the nation's second-largest market. California's other race will remain on Labor Day weekend (Sept. 4).

In Jan. 2003, NASCAR announced "Realignment 2004 and Beyond." The plan calls for regular review of race dates and locations in order to continue bringing the most competitive racing in the world to the widest possible audience, and providing the kind of value that has proven NASCAR to be one of the very best sports properties.

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"The 2005 schedule marks an important milestone in NASCAR's realignment efforts because it provides opportunities for more fans to experience first-hand NASCAR Nextel Cup events near their hometowns," said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France.

The schedule continues to reflect the increasing demand for races throughout the country. In 2005, the Southeast will continue to be well-served with great racing in Richmond, Charlotte, Atlanta, Daytona Beach and many others; additionally, NASCAR continues to reach out to new fans in the Northeast, Midwest, Southwest, and the West.

The 2005 season -- NASCAR's 57th -- will open on Sunday, Feb. 20 with the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway.

In addition, NASCAR officials announced that the NASCAR Preseason Thunder test sessions will return to Daytona International Speedway in Jan. 2005.

Tentative 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series schedule:

Feb. 12 -- Budweiser Shootout -- Daytona International Speedway

Feb. 20 -- Daytona International Speedway

Feb. 27 -- California Speedway

March 13 -- Las Vegas Motor Speedway

March 20 -- Atlanta Motor Speedway

April 3 -- Bristol Motor Speedway

April 10 -- Martinsville Speedway

April 17 -- Texas Motor Speedway

April 23 -- Phoenix International Raceway