Whether it was a desire to remain in the United States’ mid west or just have another go at Wisconsin’s famous beer and bratwurst cuisine, NASCAR announced that the Nationwide Series would add the Road America road course to its 2010 calendar.
The Road America 200 will preserve a 17-year streak of NASCAR racing in that part of the United States, but, it’s not the first time that NASCAR has run there. Back in August 1956, Tim Flock won a Cup level race at the four-mile, 14-turn road circuit.
The race is scheduled for Saturday June 19th, which will make it a cross-country road-course double header as the Sprint Cup drivers will be in Sonoma, California.
“We’re excited to be staying in Wisconsin and racing in front of the passionate fans there at a historic venue that’s new to our NASCAR Nationwide Series,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR’s Vice-President of racing operations.
Paul Menard, a Wisconsin native, who is currently in the Sprint Cup series won a NASCAR touring event at the famous track in 2001.
“It’s a really great race track,” Menard said. “It’s in a very picturesque setting in the Wisconsin countryside. It has every kind of corner you can imagine. When I was a kid, my dad would take me to Road America. The fans love it there.”
“By the second practice, I’m sure everyone will be up to speed because the drivers are so good in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Braking will be the hardest aspect. Strategy will play a big part in this race. I’m really excited about (the series) running there.”
Road America will be the third road course on the 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule. The series also will race at Watkins Glen International and at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal. As recently as the 2007-08 seasons, the NASCAR Nationwide Series also had three road courses on its schedule, racing at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City in addition to The Glen and Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
“Road America is a very unique track that will provide great racing and will test driver skill and ability on what is a very large course,” said Joe Balash, director of the NASCAR Nationwide Series. “And yes, we’ll be prepared to race in the rain if necessary,” he said, in reference to the series’ last two races in wet weather in Montreal. The 2008 event was the first NASCAR national series points race contested in the rain.
Teams will be permitted to participate in a full day of additional event practice on Thursday, June 17, prior to the start of official on-track activity on Friday, June 18.
Canadians have had success at the classic US road course. Jacques Villeneuve, brother of the late Gilles Villeneuve, won the CART event at Road America in 1985. Paul Tracy won there in 1993 and 2000, Jacques Villeneuve, son of Gilles won back-to-back in 1994 & 1995. Alexandre Tagliani won the last Open Wheel Racing Series event – held in 2004.
The Road America 200 will preserve a 17-year streak of NASCAR racing in that part of the United States, but, it’s not the first time that NASCAR has run there. Back in August 1956, Tim Flock won a Cup level race at the four-mile, 14-turn road circuit.
The race is scheduled for Saturday June 19th, which will make it a cross-country road-course double header as the Sprint Cup drivers will be in Sonoma, California.
“We’re excited to be staying in Wisconsin and racing in front of the passionate fans there at a historic venue that’s new to our NASCAR Nationwide Series,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR’s Vice-President of racing operations.
Paul Menard, a Wisconsin native, who is currently in the Sprint Cup series won a NASCAR touring event at the famous track in 2001.
“It’s a really great race track,” Menard said. “It’s in a very picturesque setting in the Wisconsin countryside. It has every kind of corner you can imagine. When I was a kid, my dad would take me to Road America. The fans love it there.”
“By the second practice, I’m sure everyone will be up to speed because the drivers are so good in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Braking will be the hardest aspect. Strategy will play a big part in this race. I’m really excited about (the series) running there.”
Road America will be the third road course on the 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule. The series also will race at Watkins Glen International and at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal. As recently as the 2007-08 seasons, the NASCAR Nationwide Series also had three road courses on its schedule, racing at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City in addition to The Glen and Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
“Road America is a very unique track that will provide great racing and will test driver skill and ability on what is a very large course,” said Joe Balash, director of the NASCAR Nationwide Series. “And yes, we’ll be prepared to race in the rain if necessary,” he said, in reference to the series’ last two races in wet weather in Montreal. The 2008 event was the first NASCAR national series points race contested in the rain.
Teams will be permitted to participate in a full day of additional event practice on Thursday, June 17, prior to the start of official on-track activity on Friday, June 18.
Canadians have had success at the classic US road course. Jacques Villeneuve, brother of the late Gilles Villeneuve, won the CART event at Road America in 1985. Paul Tracy won there in 1993 and 2000, Jacques Villeneuve, son of Gilles won back-to-back in 1994 & 1995. Alexandre Tagliani won the last Open Wheel Racing Series event – held in 2004.