Chicago date dropped

CENTENNIAL, Colo. (February 6, 2002)-SCCA Pro Racing announced today that it has removed the Chicago date from its 2002 Pro Spec Racer schedule. Speedway officials at Chicago Motor Speedway, in Cicero, Ill., suspended the track's 2002 racing schedule Tuesday, citing business and economic conditions in the industry.

Charles Bidwill, the speedway's chairman, and Chip Ganassi, the track's president, said the races were not financially feasible.

Round seven was to be held at Chicago Motor Speedway, August 24-25, in a pairing with the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in the Sears Craftsman 175 Weekend.

"We are of course disappointed to hear that Chicago Motor Speedway will not be able to host a 2002 racing season," said Mitch Wright, SCCA Pro Racing Vice President and General Manager. "We were looking forward to returning to the Chicago-area for a second-straight year and building on the foundation our series established.

"In light of the recent turn of events, we are working to procure another date on the schedule."

The SCCA Pro Racing Pro Spec Racer series features identical, purpose-built SCCA Spec Racer open-cockpit, closed-wheel cars. The PSR is intended to provide very tight competition at reasonable costs. In 2002, the series will begin its ninth season of competition, offering up-and-coming drivers a chance to compete at a professional level on temporary street circuits, permanent road courses and ovals.

<pre> Updated Pro Spec Racer 2002 Dates (Subject to Change)

Date Event/Venue/Headliner

April 5-7*        PIR Charity Weekend/ Phoenix International Raceway/Phoenix, Ariz.
May 17-19         Victoria Day Weekend/Mosport International Raceway/Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada/Trans-Am
June 20-21        Dodge/Save Mart 350 Weekend/Sears Point Raceway/Sonoma, Calif./NASCAR Winston Cup Series
July 12-14        Circuit Ste Croix/St. Croix, Quebec, Canada
August 17-18      TBA
October 11-12     Burnham Boilers 200 Weekend/Lime Rock Park/Lakeville, Conn./NASCAR Busch North Series
October 25-27     Virginia International Raceway/Alton, Va./Trans-Am

*-Doubleheader

-scca pro racing-