IRL to pair with some Busch races

NASCAR is apparently working with Honda on an engine development operation for the NASCAR Technical Institute in Mooresville, and NASCAR executives are also considering a dramatic change in the Busch tour schedule (for 2006) that could pair the Busch series with the Indy Racing League during a number of doubleheader weekends in 2006, according to some top NASCAR team owners. In turn, NASCAR would hope to raise the television profile of its struggling Truck series by moving it to several Saturdays as part of doubleheaders with the Nextel Cup tour.

ABC, which got a big ratings boost from Danica Patrick's performance in the Indy 500, is apparently not pleased with ad sales in general for its IRL events. And the issue of TV ad sales, not just for IRL races but also for all NASCAR races too, appears to be playing a large role behind-the-scenes in some of the technical and scheduling issues under consideration. NASCAR's Truck series has, like the IRL, been largely unable to attract high-dollar sponsorships.

In fact, NASCAR's Truck series is in trouble and needs a big shot in the arm, some team owners say – a big TV shot in the arm. "When the Truck race here is on Speed (a cable channel) and gets tape delayed, you've got problems," Bill Davis, a Truck and Cup owner, said. "And the Truck race was originally scheduled for 5 p.m. on Friday, which is not exactly prime time to begin with." Winston Salem Journal