Thanks to Ken Spencer for forwarding this link to me. The story is by respected NASCAR writer Mike Mulhern. The complete article can be found at the link below.
Winston-Salem Journal NASCAR's plans for Canada in flux: "Robbie Weiss, the West Coast NASCAR promotions man in charge of helping formulate stock-car racing's international plans, is currently wrestling with enough ventures to keep his tiny four-man staff running in overdrive.
Plans for NASCAR's 2006 return to Mexico City have become a major focal point, but NASCAR's proposed venture to Montreal or Toronto is up-and-down - depending on the week, it's a go for 2006, or not a go until 2007.
Weiss is leaving most of the Canadian project up to George Pyne, NASCAR's operations manager for Brian France's big ideas. But there has been considerable speculation about NASCAR's Canadian plans.
Montreal, which has a world-class Formula One facility in the heart of town, has been the hottest prospect. But the promoter there insists that there is a deal with the city for only two races each season, and he's the man with the contract. Weiss, however, says that that's not necessarily the case, and he raises the possibility of a major twist in the seemingly stalled Montreal strategy.
'I know they've said they can only do two events a year in Montreal, but I've also heard that it's 'only' two events because that's what they have today,' Weiss said. 'I think we can work through all that, or we'd be hearing more in the Canadian press that 'You can't do it.' And no one's said that.
'In fact, everyone just seems to be waiting for 'the announcement.''
A strong business case can be made that a NASCAR race pumps tens of millions of dollars into a community. According to one estimate, a NASCAR race could be worth as much as $300 million to a city, if promoted properly...."
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