Tragedy Could Mean End to IRL Racing at Charlotte

CONCORD, N.C. —  The promoter of the speedway where three spectators were killed during an Indy Racing League event in May is leaning toward not bringing the series back to the track.

Speedway Motorsports Inc. is concerned about how questions of fan safety, declining attendance and car design could affect the IRL’s future at Lowe’s Motor Speedway at Charlotte, company president H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler said Friday.

The IRL has slowed its cars and made their wheel assemblies more durable since the Charlotte accident and is studying additional changes for 2000 but is not yet ready to commit to any.