But the 1988 Indianapolis 500 was sold out, and the race remains the best-attended sporting event in the United States. Last July, three people were killed and six hurt when a wheel and suspension parts from Adrian Fernandez's car flew into the stands during the U.S. 500 at Michigan Speedway. Lowe's, formerly known as Charlotte Motor Speedway, reopened for business two days after the deaths. Ticket sales for the Coca-Cola 600 Winston Cup race later this month were heavier than normal for a Monday, track spokesman Jerry Gappens said. Now, speculation has begun about the future of the IRL at the track.
Recent history suggests it still has one.
Lowe's is owned by Speedway Motorsports Inc., the largest promoter in racing. It controls six major tracks, and has racing dates to fill. The IRL needs places to race, and has found them at SMI tracks, where it conducts five of its 11 events. They remain committed to one another. And Tony George, who started the IRL in 1996, says it will continue racing.