Portland to retain Champ Car race
"I wanted to make sure the city really believed in the event, and that was the message I walked away with today," Chrnelich said. "It was a very positive meeting. There's no mistaking the level of support from the mayor and the commissioners' standpoint. They want the race to come back, and they're willing to partner with us. . . . I was pleasantly surprised at how energetic everyone was (about Champ Car)."
Chrnelich said in June that it would take increased sponsorship support and a firm message from the mayor's office to ensure Portland's place in the series.
"The message we got (today) was very encouraging," he said.
Although the 2006 Portland race probably will be June 18, Chrnelich said there won't be an official announcement at this time, "but things are shaping up nicely." Champ Car intends to release its 2006 schedule during the Denver race weekend Aug. 12-14. Portland Oregonian