Indy-Car Series Has Likely Opener

Thu., Aug. 8, 1996

New York Times

The Indy Racing League, the Indy-car series started by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway this year, announced a new event Wednesday for June 29, 1997, at the currently uncompleted Pikes Peak International Raceway in Fountain, Colo.

The event at the 1-mile oval, 10 miles south of Colorado Springs and adjacent to Interstate 25, will likely be the opener on the IRL’s 1997-98 schedule, which begins after next year’s Indianapolis 500.

Linda Clifford, the chief financial officer for the privately financed project’s developer, C.C. Myers, said that up to five events are planned for the new speedway in 1997; the track is on the site of the defunct Pikes Peak Meadows thoroughbred race track. Clifford said sanctioning agreements have been signed for four of the events, including the IRL race, but she would not name the others.

Paving is expected to begin in late September to early October, Clifford said, with the track to be ready next April.

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Indy-Car Series Has Likely Opener

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