Closing of PPIR may boost Denver race attendance

Rob Johnson, who recently was named vice president of Sutton International Motorsports and the general manager of the Grand Prix of Denver, said "This Turbo Tour is a big positive for the Champ Car World Series," Johnson said. "Plus, it gives more exposure to the Grand Prix of Denver."

Johnson served as the president of Pikes Peak International Raceway (PPIR) in Fountain for the past seven years before the facility was bought by the International Speedway Corporation and then closed unexpectedly on Oct. 31. The Indy Racing League, a rival to the Champ Car World Series, competed at PPIR.

"I think having the Champ Car World Series race in Denver and the IRL race in PPIR a week apart last year really confused the market," Johnson said. "People were basically put in a position where they had to choose what race to go to. Now that PPIR is closed, people can focus on coming to the Grand Prix of Denver." More at Rocky Mountain News