The U.S. F2000 National Championship Presented by Speedvision has announced a revised 2001 schedule. Added to the schedule is the Night Before F1, while the race at Chicago Motor Speedway has been dropped.
Originally scheduled to race July 28, the U.S. F2000 will no longer be racing at Chicago. Chicago Motor Speedway has decided not to honor the agreement it had with U.S. F2000 to race on Saturday in support of both the CART FedEx Championship and the CART Toyota Atlantic Championship. The track has instead added the CART-sanctioned Barber Dodge Pro Series to the schedule in favor of the U.S. F2000 National Championship.
"I am very disappointed," said Dan Andersen, co-owner of the U.S. F2000 National Championship. "We had an agreement with the track and Mr. Haskett has chosen to renege on that deal. This really hurts. I know a lot of our teams and drivers, as well as their sponsors, were really looking forward to racing in front of the CART teams and their supporters."
"It's a shame Mr. Haskett doesn't want to honor the agreement," said Mike Foschi, co-owner of the U.S. F2000 National championship. "One of the biggest problems encountered in open-wheel racing in the U.S. is the business practices of various tracks and events. It's become common practice to look for loop holes and ways to alter deals after they've been worked out."
In place of Chicago, the series will compete September 29, at Indianapolis Raceway Park. The series returns to the 0.686-mile oval for the second consecutive year for the Night Before F1, in support of the ASA series.
"We're pleased to add another IRP appearance to the 2001 schedule," said Andersen. "With the sudden loss of Chicago, adding this first-class event is a big boost. The opportunity to be linked with the excitement of this historic event, combined with the opportunity to showcase the series to a large and enthusiastic crowd, many of whom are worldwide open-wheel fans, makes this a great addition to the schedule."
The 2001 U.S. F2000 National Championship continues with Rounds Four and Five, May 19-20, 2001, at Watkins Glen International on the 3.4-mile road course.
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Allan Craighead
Director of Public Relations
U.S. F2000 National Championship
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