Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Sponsorship money may cost Hearn his job

Friday, June 22, 2001 | 10:29 a.m.

Brian Hilderbrand covers motor sports for the Las Vegas Sun. Reach him at bh@lasvegassun.com or 259-4089.

It must seem like deja vu all over again for Richie Hearn.

Hearn, the Henderson resident who last year lost his ride in CART because of a lack of sponsorship money, may have a short stint with Sam Schmidt's Indy Racing League team for exactly the same reason.

Hearn drove Schmidt's Dallara/Oldsmobile to a ninth-place finish in last Sunday's races at Pikes Peak International Raceway, but Schmidt said he might be forced to replace Hearn if he can land another driver who will bring sponsorship money with him.

"I think Richie did a great job, especially with the short amount of time in the car," Schmidt said of Hearn, who had only two days to prepare for the race. "He basically did everything we asked him to do. The car was OK and he moved up some positions and then unfortunately we had an overheating problem the last 70 laps. We also didn't have the attrition we normally have in the race or else it would have been fifth or sixth.

"But we're also trying to go the rest of the season so we're talking to a couple of people who have money to drive. The bottom line is if we don't use Richie, it will be strictly because somebody came up with some money and they are a decent driver. I'm not going to just put anybody in the car who comes up with some money, but if a guy who has some experience is able to come up with a little bit (of money), that's the way we have to go to help get past Kansas City."

Schmidt said he is committed to running next weekend's race at Richmond International Raceway and the July 8 race at the new Kansas Speedway, where he plans to entertain potential sponsors for next year.

"We'll probably run at least another two (races) because I have a whole lot of people coming out to Kansas City. Some of my sponsors are based in the Midwest so ... I've got to try to find out how to get there one way or another," Schmidt said.

"(Racing) is kind of an addiction; it's hard to stay away. But when it's all your money, it makes it tough."

"We believe 22 events in the Southeast represents an oversupply," the study stated. "The most obvious solution, in our view, would be to move races from Southeastern tracks that have two per season to tracks in the less concentrated Western region of the United States.

"We would also argue that tracks like Martinsville (Va.), Pocono (Pa.) and New Hampshire should not have two Winston Cup dates each when tracks like Texas, Las Vegas, California and Kansas have only one each ... (but) it remains to be seen whether the sport will break from tradition and pick off what we consider low-hanging fruit in order to drive future growth."

The report estimated the market value of a Winston Cup date for a track like Richmond or Darlington at $85 million and said moving one of those races to a track like Texas Motor Speedway or Las Vegas could increase that amount to $130 million. ...

Curtis Pilgreen, the public address announcer at Las Vegas Motor Speedway since 1996, has been added to the Performance Radio network's broadcast team for Sunday's Winston Cup race at Sears Point Raceway. KENO (1460 AM) will carry the race live in Las Vegas. ...

XPress Racing, the Busch Series team that was fined by NASCAR for unapproved roll bars following last week's race at Kentucky Speedway, has ceased operation and is for sale, team manager Dave Fuge said. Fuge was fined $30,000 and placed on indefinite suspension by NASCAR. Team owner Stephen Coulter was penalized 60 car owner's points and driver Tim Sauter was penalized 60 points for the infraction.

The course, which is scheduled for completion in early fall, has three configurations: an infield road course, which can be 1.5 miles (13 turns) or 1.55 miles (17 turns); an auto competition course, which utilizes part of the oval at 2.88 miles (21 turns); and a motorcycle competition course, which also uses part of the oval at 2.36 miles (21 turns).

A Speedway official said the track has held preliminary discussions with the American Motorcyclist Association and the Grand AM road-racing series about staging events on the new road course.

"I just want to thank my fellow racers, fans, friends and my family for all the kind cards and letters I have received," the statement read. "The entire racing community has given me so much support, and it has helped me more than anyone can know. The doctors have assured me that everything is on track with my recovery, and updates on my progress will continue. My full recovery will not happen overnight, but I am confident in the care I'm receiving, and every day gets better."

Fans wishing to send cards to Hamilton should address them to: Davey Hamilton, Methodist Hospital, 1701 N. Senate, Indianapolis, IN, 46202. E-mails should be sent to davey@samschmidt.org.

"This points battle is going right down to the wire," Johnson said. "We have too many good teams out here for it not to. It's going to be a nerve-wracking deal all the way to the final race."

Johnson's return to the top of the points standings marked the seventh time this season that the class has seen a lead change following a national event.

There will be no racing at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend or next in preparation for a special July 3 (Tuesday) show that will feature a 75-lap NASCAR Late Models main event, competition in Grand American Modifieds, Legends Cars, a demolition derby and fireworks show.