I OPINION
THE INSIDE LINE By Greg MacPherson
CANADA: NO NASCAR FOR YOU Kennedy, who dangled a carrot about maybe going to Canada, or Mexico, down the road. “As we think about international venues in general, we still are bullish about finding our way either north of the border – whether that be in Montreal or Toronto or another market – or south of the Contrary to rumours, NASCAR won’t be bringing one of its National border down into Mexico. tours to Montreal, or CTMP, in 2024. Photo by Greg MacPherson / ITMN As we’ve mentioned in the past, we want to bring our rior to NASCAR releasing the schedules NASCAR Cup Series there at some point. for its three National touring series, in We think it’s important for us to get outside early October, there was much speculation of the United States with our series in some that the Cup Series would be heading to way, shape or form, so that’s something Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in 2024. we’re going to keep our pulse on as we think As well, many assumed that the Craftsabout 2025 and beyond.” man Truck Series would be returning to Kennedy continued, “… timing is always Ontario’s Canadian Tire Motorsport Park for critical to a lot of these venues, and we want the Labour Day event that had been so poputo make sure that the market is ready for lar prior to it being knocked off the schedule the NASCAR Cup Series, that the timing by COVID. makes sense for the industry and the sport, Leading up to the announcement, Dale and hopefully we’ll be able to move in that Earnhardt Jr. – arguably the most popular direction at some point.” and influential personality in NASCAR – told As for the Truck Series not returning Sirius XM NASCAR Radio that he loved “the to CTMP, there’s no clear indication as to idea of going to Canada in any way, whether whether the track even wanted the race it’s Montreal or anything… to get in front of back, or not. For anyone who has attended our fans up there, across the border.” the Truck races there, the place is jammed Earnhardt, you’ll recall, played a significant to the point of being the best attended race role in the rejuvenation and return of North on the entire schedule, including the FebruWilkesboro as a NASCAR track, after sitting ary event in Daytona. dormant for more than a quarter century. But for the past few Truck-less Labour When Dale Jr. talks… people listen. Day races at CTMP, the headline NASCAR So, there was surprise and disappointPinty’s Series has also drawn impressive ment when a scan of the 2024 Cup, Xfinity crowds of campers and race day walk-ups, and Truck series schedules revealed that no possibly turning the considerable added Canadian venues were included. At all. expense of bringing the Truck Series into In a ZOOM press conference following the something that wasn’t necessary for the announcement, NASCAR’s Sr. VP of Stratsuccess of the weekend. egy and Innovation, Ben Kennedy, discussed The reaction of Canadian fans was mixed. the sanctioning body’s schedule news, Some were hoping to see these series and including the lack of Canadian content. their stars in action on Canadian soil. But If a Montreal Cup Series race in 2024 others asserted that the homegrown tours – was virtually a ‘done deal,’ as many close including the Pinty’s Series, FEL Motorsports to the sport had been openly discussing tours and others – are preferrable. for months, it was only briefly addressed by
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4 Inside Track Motorsport News
NASCAR is in the business of selling races to promoters who will pay top dollar for them. And with the history of huge crowds produced by past Nationwide (now Xfinity) and Truck Series races in Montreal and at CTMP, respectively, it makes sense that NASCAR’s big three National touring series should on track in the ‘Great White North’ at some point in the future.
SPITERI STEPS DOWN Prior to the recent NASCAR Pinty’s Series finale at Delaware Speedway, Tony Spiteri announced that he had stepped down as the GM of NASCAR Canada. He’d been in the role for approximately one year. Prior to that, he was prominent in the sport for well over a decade as the face of Pinty’s, a major series supporter that ultimately became its title sponsor. Saying that he didn’t want his news to distract from Treyten Lapcevich’s title celebration, Spiteri wasn’t in attendance at Delaware. Contacted by Inside Track, Spiteri offered the following statement regarding his resignation. “After spending the majority of three decades in motorsports, the time comes to step away from the day to day. This last year as General Manager of NASCAR Canada has given me incredible insights into the daily operations of the business. I am grateful for all the progress we have been able to make in both the domestic and international series. “A few weeks ago, I advised NASCAR of my decision to leave the company at the end of the 2023 season. I will always be grateful for the learnings at NASCAR. As I make my transition out of the day to day, I am excited to see all that the sport can achieve. I am confident that the NASCAR Canada team will continue to drive the business to new heights. I sincerely look forward to enjoying a race or two from the grandstands with the greatest fans in sports, in 2024.” Speaking personally and on behalf of Inside Track, Tony was always a great supporter of Canadian motorsports and those involved in the industry. We thank him for all his efforts and wish him success in his future endeavours. IT
