Row brews over second Texas date

The Texas oval's owners Speedway Motorsports Inc is demanding that NASCAR pays damages for the lost revenue of not having another race alongside the round to be held on April 7.

The suit could have huge repercussions. NASCAR owns most of the tracks it races on through the International Speedway Corporation. SMI's move could lead to an anti-monopoly suit against the sanctioning body which could force it to separate ISC from its holding interests in US stock car racing.

The row over Texas has been brewing ever since the superspeedway was opened in 1997. The track was never officially granted a Winston Cup race at all, but SMI boss Bruton Smith gained one by buying half of the now-defunct North Wilkesboro Speedway and shifting one of its rounds to Texas.

Smith claims that NASCAR promised Texas its own slot on the Winston Cup calendar from the start, but the sanctioning body denies this. He has said that only with the addition of a second race can he make the track profitable.

Since becoming established on the Winston Cup calendar, the Dallas track has proved a hugely popular venue with fans. Its one race is always a sell-out.