AIS: Birmingham to Host Innaugural Alabama Indy Car Race
21 October 1998
AMERICAN INDYCAR SERIESPAN AMERICAN MOTORSPORTS, INC.
Salt Lake City:
The American IndyCar Series, on October 24, 1998, at the Birmingham International Raceway, will sanction the first ever Indy Car race to be held in the State of Alabama. This event will be part of the1998 Alabama State Fair and will also be part of the historic dedication of the Birmingham International Raceway to the Alabama Gang, by Alabama Governor Fob James.
"We will make history on October 24, 1998," states Tom Drilias of the Alabama State Fair Commission. "Not only will we host the inaugural Indy Car race for Alabama, but we will also see our Governor dedicate this famous race track to the Alabama Gang, a group of stock car racers who helped bring recognition to this track and to Alabama."
The 1998 American IndyCar Series Championship will be decided at this season ending event. Four American IndyCar Series drivers, Ken Petrie, Greg Gorden, Bill Tempero and rookie Joe Truscelli all have a chance at winning the 1998 American IndyCar Series Championship. Gorden, Petrie and Tempero only have three points separating them and Truscelli is only 8 points behind the current points leader, Ken Petrie. "With the point spread this close, we can guarantee an extremely exciting race," said Bret Decker, President of Pan American Motorsports, Inc.
The original members of the Alabama Gang were Donnie and Bobby Allison, Red Farmer and Neil Bonnett. They were known for the fierce competition they brought to NASCAR during their racing years. All were from the Birmingham area and drove in numerous races at the Birmingham International Raceway.
The American IndyCar Series, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pan American Motorsports, Inc., is in its 11th season and is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.
