ISC to build Denver Speedway

Record revenue and stumbling projects in Seattle and New York could prompt International Speedway Corporation to accelerate its pursuit of building a Denver Front Range racetrack.

ISC, which owns 12 tracks nationwide that host 19 NASCAR Nextel Cup races this year, has had discussions with various Denver-area representatives about making a third attempt to build a Nextel Cup-worthy track in the area.

Today the publicly owned company will meet with Commerce City officials to talk about plans for a speedway in the city, city councilman Paul Natale said.

"Maybe we are closer than we think we are," Natale said.

ISC also has spoken to John Bandimere Jr., owner of Bandimere Speedway, a drag racing venue in Morrison, about joining forces, Bandimere confirmed Tuesday. ISC and Bandimere failed to get the proposed WorldPark speedway venture up and running in Arapahoe County in 2000.

"We've always said that we're interested in the market and recognize that there are a lot of fans that support racing in Colorado," ISC spokesman Wes Harris said Tuesday. "Long term, we think Denver is a logical place for us to have a presence, and hopefully that will happen." More at Denver Post