Formula USA Adds To Schedule

Paul Carruthers | January 31, 2002
Clear Channel Entertainment’s motor sports division announced today two additions to the 2002 Drag Specialties National Dirt Track Series, bringing the series to 13 total rounds.

The first of the two new events will become the season opener on Saturday,April 27, and will be held at Houston Raceway Park’s half-mile dirt oval located in Baytown, Texas.

Gerald Critchfield, General Manager of Houston Raceway Park, said in the Clear Channel release: “We are thrilled to have this exciting professional series select the state of Texas and Houston Raceway Park and our state of the art facility to host the opening round of the 2002 Formula USA National Dirt Track Series.”

Houston Raceway Park’s oval includes seating for approximately 10,000 race fans and 10 luxury suites. Included with the suites is a state-of-the-art timing and scoring deck using the latest technology, a media center and elevators giving handicapped people access to both the suites and the top of the grandstands, according to Clear Channel. Complimenting the tower are new restrooms, ticket building, souvenirs and concessions and pit-side concessions and rest rooms.

The second race added to the 2002 schedule is Saturday, May 4, at Devil’s Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, Texas, located about 15 minutes east of Dallas. Mike Kidd, vice president of Clear Channel Entertainment’s motor sports division, said, “With Terry Poovey carrying our number plate this year, we just had to add Dallas to our National Dirt Track schedule, and Devil’s Bowl is a legendary place to bring the National Series to. Terry has been racing at the Devil’s Bowl Speedway for more than 30 years and I know you could count his losses on the high banked half mile on one hand.”

These two additional dates bring the series up to 13 rounds, while Formula USA officials admit to be working on a 14-round series, the release states.

Paul Carruthers | Editor

Paul Carruthers took over as the editor of Cycle News in 1993 after serving as associate editor since starting his career at the publication in 1985. Carruthers has covered every facet of the sport in his near-28-year tenure at America's Daily Motorcycle News Source.