[a13x]

I posted this on the NEAR-List but I'll put it here as well:

From the Boston Globe:

Yet it was only several years ago that Bahre's track was under fire for conditions that were perceived as less than stellar. Within the span of two months in 2000, Adam Petty and Kenny Irwin died at NHIS in similar accidents entering Turn 3. In the September race that year, NASCAR fitted the cars with restrictor plates to slow their speeds, creating a snoozer of a show that Jeff Burton led from start to finish.

To improve NHIS, Bahre repaved the surface, widened the turns, and installed soft walls. Since then, NHIS has become one of the most sought-after racing facilities in the country -- and the 78-year-old Bahre said he isn't selling. NHIS is one of three family-owned Nextel Cup tracks, along with Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Pocono Raceway. The other Cup tracks are owned by International Speedway Corporation, Speedway Motorsports, and Dover Motorsports, all public companies, and Bahre said he enjoys not having to answer to a board or shareholders.

----------------------------------------------------------------

This is interesting just due to the fact that it's the current situatin that Bahre currently faces with the AMA. He had to spend money to get the track to the point the premeire race came to town (or back to town). Granted NASCAR money is way way way bigger so your cost/returns are much larger.. but as it's been stated - Bahre has the money, he doesn't need anymore, and he's at least 'entertaining' the idea.


Wishful thinking I'm sure, but a interesting parallel.