Changes to 2015 NASCAR sprint Cup schedule (2nd Update)
08/20/14 According to a source who works inside the sport, the date of the 2015 NASCAR spring Sprint Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway will be moved to Sunday, April 19. Due to the unpredictable weather in the Bristol area and lackluster attendance, BMS officials have long lobbied NASCAR for a change away from current date of March 16. Lynsey Wilson, communications manager of Bristol Motor Speedway and Dragway, did not confirm any schedule alteration when reached late Monday. "Conversations are ongoing and once details are finalized, we will release our 2015 plans," said Wilson, who declined further comment. NASCAR officials are expected to officially announce the full 2015 Sprint Cup schedule soon. That announcement could come this weekend during the IRWIN Tools Night Race at BMS. The source also said the Southern 500 Darlington race date will shift back to its traditional Labor Day weekend while the Atlanta race will move to the second week of the season on March 1. During an Aug. 5 interview, BMS general manager Jerry Caldwell expressed his desire for a switch in the spring race date. There was no statement from Helton on Monday night and Caldwell did not comment. Bristol Herald Courier
08/20/14 Jim Noble of ESPN/SiriusXM/PRN tweeted Monday evening, "The Southern 500 at Darlington (SC) Raceway will return to its traditional Labor Day weekend date [Sunday, Sept 6th] when NASCAR announces the 2015 Sprint Cup schedule, perhaps as early as this weekend. Atlanta Motor Speedway – which has raced on Labor Day weekend since 2009 – will have its lone Sprint Cup race weekend moved earlier in the season to week #2 – Sunday, March 1, 2015. One other notable change will be the Bristol (TN) spring weekend — often plagued by weather issues in March, Bristol successfully lobbied for a later date, and will now hold its spring Cup race on Sunday, April 19, 2015."