Report: NASCAR plans Montreal test for June

Jeff Burton
TSN.ca Staff
5/23/2006 10:40:55 AM
NASCAR plans to test one of its cars at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal the weekend prior to Canada's Formula One race at Ile Notre Dame.
According to the National Post, veteran driver Jeff Burton could be the man behind the wheel of the Chevrolet Monte Carlo when it hits the track on June 19 or 20.
The test is seen as a precursor to NASCAR's announcement of a Busch Grand National race at the island circuit in 2007.
Burton, who would be racing at nearby Brooklyn, Michigan on June 18, says he hasn't been contacted for the test but would a willing participant.
"If I'm asked to test (in Montreal), I'll certainly find a way to make it happen," he tells the Post.


"I've been saying this for years, that the next step we need to take is into Canada," Burton explained. "We need to be there, to put on a good show that represents NASCAR and Canada well. There's no reason we shouldn't be there. It's a great market for us. We'd benefit from Canada, and Canada would benefit from our being there. It's win-win."
Burton was also the driver asked by NASCAR to test for them when the Busch Series considered expanding into Mexico last year.
"Our move into Mexico was received wonderfully, but - with no disrespect intended to them - Canada is, to me, more important. I think a Canadian race will be received even better.
"Every time I race in the bordering states, I see how many Canadian fans we have. Every week they ask me, 'When y'all comin' to Canada?'"
The 38-year-old has only seen the Montreal circuit on television but is confident the course will be more than suitable for Busch racing.
"If the track works for F-1, it will work for NASCAR," he tells the newspaper. "If the runoffs and safety barriers and garage areas work for them, it will be plenty, plenty good for what we'd be doing."
Speculation of NASCAR's arrival into Canada has been rampant for the last few years. However, the Florida-based stock car association has always played down the chances of a Nextel Cup race being staged north of the border. Series officials are working on getting a race in New York City and the American Northwest before it considers taking its premiere event across the border.

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Great news!!
Greasemonkey.