| | Associated Press
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -- NASCAR's Busch Grand National Series
won't be racing through the Grand Strand next year.
Myrtle Beach Speedway co-owner Billy Hardee said Monday that he
and fellow owner Nick Lucas decided against holding a Busch race in
2001 because of increasing costs.
"We've decided it's in our best interest with the way things
are going not to do it again," Hardee said.
The Myrtle Beach 250 had been sponsored by Budweiser, Carolina
Pride and Advance Auto Parts, but Hardee and Lucas haven't had a
sponsor since 1998.
"We had promises right up to the last minute the last two years
and it didn't happen," Hardee said.
The track put up the $717,571 purse for the June 17 race this
year -- up from $515,641 last year. Sponsors usually cover that cost
in exchange for naming rights.
Hardee and Lucas said the decision to drop next year's race was
theirs, not NASCAR's.
NASCAR won't discuss its racing locations until the schedule is
announced. The schedule is expected to be released in the next few
weeks, said Beth Vairo, spokeswoman for the Busch series.
Myrtle Beach Speedway has been host to a Busch Series race since
1988.
This year's race was a month earlier than usual and Hardee said
that contributed to a drop in attendance
"We sold out in '99, and we didn't sell out this year," Hardee
said. A 9:30 p.m. start and 4 p.m. qualifying also contributed to
the lower turnout, he said.
Official attendance figures were not available.
Hardee hopes to have another feature event at the speedway next
year to replace the Busch Series.
"We'll definitely find something else to do in place of it,"
he said. "I don't know what it will be."
South Boston, Va., also said Monday it would not hold a Busch
Series race next year.
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