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Indianapolis Motor Speedway altered to improve NASCAR action

Indianapolis Motor Speedway intends to add an apron to all four turns for NASCAR events in an effort to improve the quality of racing at the famed 2.5 mile oval

The modification, which will be used exclusively for NASCAR, formed part of a broader raft of upgrades proposed by IMS parent company Hulman and Co that have been approved for state funding by the Indiana Motorsport Commission.

While the master plan for the upgrades will not be delivered until next year, Hulman & Co's proposals also include a repaving and reconfiguration of the road course - work on which is already underway ahead of next year's first IndyCar race on the road layout - and an overhaul of the catch fencing.

Fan seating is slated for improvement, as are video screens, restrooms, concessions, and traffic access.

However the plan does not allow for the installation of lighting to enable night racing, after economic studies determined that there would be insufficient return on the estimated $20 million investment.

"We started with ideas for improvements that totalled hundreds of millions of dollars, and we've reduced our list to a list of potential projects with total spending of about $140 million," said Hulman & Co president and COO Jeff Belskus.

"Now we have some difficult decisions ahead to pare the list further before we ask the commission for its approval."

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