Motorsports

'Bama out of Hall of Fame race

By wire services
Published March 31, 2005

ATLANTA - One of the contenders driving against Atlanta for the NASCAR hall of fame has run out of gas.

Alabama, which had proposed building a Cooperstown for NASCAR between Birmingham and the famous track at Talladega, has pulled out of the race.

An Alabama official said the state needed major commitments from governments and corporations to land the hall of fame, which could cost as much as $70-million. Alabama's move leaves six cities in the heat: Atlanta, Charlotte, Kansas City and Daytona Beach - NASCAR invited those to submit bids - as well as Richmond and the state of Michigan.

NASCAR: An appeals panel lifted the suspensions of the crew chiefs for NASCAR drivers Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch, allowing fines and points penalties to stand in one of the circuit's harshest steps against rules violations.

The National Stock Car Racing Commission replaced the two- race suspensions given to Chad Knaus, crew chief for Johnson, and Alan Gustafson, crew chief for Busch, with 90 days probation.

NASCAR found the car Johnson used to win the March 13 race in Las Vegas was too high to pass inspection and Busch's car was too low.

Also, the four-race suspension Kevin Harvick's crew chief got for rigging his gas tank was upheld by an appeals committee. Todd Berrier admitted making the tank appear full when it wasn't during a qualifying run at Las Vegas.

CHAMP CAR: The Champ Car World Series will expand its Asian operations with a race next year in Beijing.

Champ Car announced that it has signed an agreement with the Beijing Auto and Motor Sports Association. Initial discussions indicated that the race could be held in either May or September, but that has yet to be decided, officials said. A promoter and location also have yet to be decided.

FORMULA ONE: Bernie Ecclestone and three banks have reached agreement over control of the world's premier open-wheel racing series. Details of the settlement were not disclosed, and it was not immediately clear what impact the agreement would have on the sport.

[Last modified March 31, 2005, 01:28:16]