Mike Mulhern musing/gossiping/dreaming on the 2014 schedule (Cup side)

[TimmyZ1]

http://www.mikemulhern.net/DailyBriefing/nascar-2014-still-looking-for-the-schedule-try-some-of-this-on-for-size/

[KevMcNJ]

Craziest rumor I heard this Summer was Bruton pulling the date from Atlanta to add a 2nd date elsewhere.

[pb]

I have to wonder about moving Darlington. I already have tickets for next year's event and the date in May was given. Not complaining but I just wonder about that. Ending at Phoenix would be good and I'd like to see a road course in the Chase (assuming that they're going to continue to have that unfortunate thing).

[Langhorne]

Texas, Sonoma, Phoenix to end the season? Hmmmmmmm

[ACCP]

Of course after all this debate NASCAR might simply decide not to make any changes for 2014.

TL;DR: "It'll be the same as this year."

[Z28]

First, it's Mike Mulhern, and it can't be ruled out he lives in a scheduling fantasyland. But he might be onto something with the Montoya to Furniture Row rumors unraveling if not for the wrong reason, the day JPM signs with Team Penske on the Indycar side.

Of course after all this debate NASCAR might simply decide not to make any changes for 2014.

Two things that pretty well shut down major changes to the 2014 schedule. Brian France said there wouldn't be major changes and several tracks have already been selling 2014 renewals with the same dates. Because the NASCAR schedule starts in February and is so long tracks early in the year have to get renewals out before the season is over even before their second race, so the following year has to be set by now. And it's already too late to do it for 2014.

There are things that get talked about often, having a road course in the Chase, even moving the Brickyard 400 to the opener of Chase, moving Darlington back to Labor Day, Bruton taking a race from New Hampshire to Las Vegas. many do not understand that NASCAR isn't going to add a race at Road America because the season is already too long and they aren't going to shift a date from another ISC track because they aren't going to cut their revenue and allow a business they don't have a stake in to add that huge revenue source. What would be the France family motivation for that? When they were the promoter for Montreal they didn't even move a Cup race there.


For 2015 though you could have some of those changes and more. I'm sure Dover Downs makes money but man they don't sell many tickets. Pikes Peak International Raceway has the potential to be something and it's in an untapped market. And I think they could combine to be game changers. If SMI and ISC were to partner to buy Dover and close it for the two weekends, as they did North Wilkesboro that would give Bruton Smith his second Las Vegas date. Then if ISC would buy back PPIR they could upgrade the facility and move their date there.

There was a time when ISC had the intention of building a Denver area track but the economy took a hit and so did NASCAR and they bought and sold PPIR to a group that cannot hold major events as part of the deal. So they repurchase the track, which is a mile, like Dover, not the 1.5 mile that there are too many of. While the track, seating wise, was too small 10 years ago when NASCAR was growing, what it could be made into today is much more in line with what it could draw.


Then things could shift around as described in the article. PPIR obviously has to be a Summer race but if Somona moved to the Chase, taking the Dover slot, a Summer date opens up. And any number of other events could move. If Bruton was able to add a second Cup race for Las Vegas what better warm weather, non NFL, glitz city would be better to crowd your champion? With the Championship banquet a few days later.

But I think they would have to spend 2014 lining these things up, rolling out announcements and making sure it got done right.

[Grizzlor]

The last person I would ever go to for first time news is Mullhern. He makes stuff up all the time.

That said, I actually like many of his suggestions/rumors. Road America is interesting for sure.

[Red Byrd]

Yep, he's just dreaming, plain and simple.

The only thing that has promise is moving Darlington back to Labor Day. I have heard people say that in a few different places now.

[TimmyZ1]

Obviously take this last tweet with a grain of salt

Eddie Gossage @eddiegossage23m
Hush now. RT @NASCARHoots: @TXMotorSpeedway keeps hinting at at Big BIG Announcement, could it have to do with them hosting finale? #NASCAR

Collapse

[BigWheelHawaii]

Obviously take this last tweet with a grain of salt

Aloha All,,,

I was thinking along the lines of "Gizzard",,,

"He's the Last guy I Would Go Too"...

But,,,

But there is some "Smoke" blowing around this subject,,,

Remember,,,

Where There's Smoke,,, There is Cheech and Chong,,,

NASCAR's up to something,,, if nothing more trying to put
the MWR story to sleep,,,

[TimmyZ1]

Aloha All,,,

I was thinking along the lines of "Gizzard",,,

"He's the Last guy I Would Go Too"...

But,,,

But there is some "Smoke" blowing around this subject,,,

Remember,,,

Where There's Smoke,,, There is Cheech and Chong,,,

NASCAR's up to something,,, if nothing more trying to put
the MWR story to sleep,,,

Honestly I think this has been brewing since before that. After the new TV contract was announced, when everything settled down several veteran NASCAR writers said 2015 would be a good time as any to shake the schedule up.