Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Texas Speedway going ahead with IRL, truck races

Thursday, Sept. 13, 2001 | 10:35 a.m.

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

The Indy Racing League and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races will be held this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway with modified schedules, the leagues announced Wednesday in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the United States.

Pole day for the two races, which was scheduled for Friday, will be canceled and the fields for both races will be set according to points. The Truck Series race will be run Saturday at 1 p.m. and the IRL event will start at 1:30 p.m. Sunday.

"Our thoughts, prayers and sympathy are with everyone affected by the tragedy Tuesday in New York and Washington," IRL president and CEO Tony George said. "We will race at Texas with sadness and compassion for those who are suffering across the country and around the world due to these events, and we think that this abbreviated schedule is the proper way to carry on during this very difficult time.

"President George Bush has kept the offices of government open and has pledged that 'the American economy will be open for business.' In this spirit, we are moving forward."

Brendan Gaughan, a Las Vegas native who will be competing in Saturday's NCTS race, agreed with NASCAR's decision to go forward with the race.

"I think it's the best thing to do," Gaughan said. "(The terrorist attacks in New York and Washington are) a tragedy -- that's a given -- but these (terrorists) want to stop America and by racing, we're showing them that they're not going to stop us."

Texas Motor Speedway general manager Eddie Gossage echoed Gaughan's sentiments.

"It is the right thing to do," Gossage said. "Any decision we could have made (would) be met with approval from some and disapproval from others. However, auto racing is the most American of sports and our fans have made it clear that they want us to hold these races.

"It will be a time when Americans can gather together, begin the healing process and show the world that you cannot break us."

Also on Wednesday:

"It is important that you know that we are continuing to plan and prepare for our race weekend as it has been scheduled," Heitzler said. "With that said, we are working closely with the U.S. government and, specifically, with the U.S. Ambassador to Germany, Dan Coats, in order to ensure that we conduct ourselves in the most appropriate manner relative to this situation.

"We will continue to assess the situation and as soon as we have more information, we will make a determination if any additional action needs to be taken regarding our race weekend."

Jimmy Vasser, a Las Vegas resident and one of only five American drivers in the CART series, said he has mixed emotions about racing in light of the national tragedy.

"I've been on a bit of a roller coaster from absolute disbelief and sadness and sorrow ... to a bit of anger," Vasser said. "I'm sure everyone is going through a similar spectrum of emotions. I'm just trying to take it one hour at a time.

"Part of me says no -- racing is not appropriate. And a part of me also says ... we can't have them disrupt our lives like this and stop us from going on."