NASCAR thinking about grouping West Coast races

Travel plans could become easier for NASCAR Winston Cup teams inthe coming years.

The sanctioning body is considering modifying the circuit'sschedule to reduce the grueling travel on the 34-event slate.

A proposal to group West Coast races together in a two- or three-race swing is being considered for the 2001 season. Stops atPhoenix International Raceway, California Speedway outside LosAngeles and Sears Point Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., may be bunchedtogether in the new plan. Winston Cup teams have to make threetrips west from their Charlotte-area bases to race at the venues.

"It would save the criss-crossing we have to do three times a yearand make it a lot easier for those truck drivers and crew members whohave to haul the cars and equipment," Kyle Petty said. "And itwould also save teams a lot of expenses."

Other sanctioning bodies group their West Coast races together toease teams' travel, including the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA)drag-racing series.

If adopted, the plan also would give NASCAR an opportunity tomaximize its presence in the West and expand its marketing reach inthe area, a goal for many of the sport's sponsors.

"We can develop better marketing programs that would make astronger impact with an extended stay in the West, rather than threeshort bursts every year," Petty said.

NASCAR's plans for expansion in the next few years will affectthe scheduling decision. Races are expected to be added at newtracks in Kansas City, Mo., Denver and the new superspeedway atJoliet's Route 66 Raceway by the 2001 season.

NEW BUSCH STAR: Add Jason Leffler's name to the list of youngopen-wheel stars making the move into NASCAR racing. The three-timeUSAC midget and sprint-car champion has signed a Busch Grand Nationaldeal with car owner Joe Gibbs.

Leffler, who made his debut in Friday night's Kroger 200 atIndianapolis Raceway Park, will race four other Busch races thisseason. Gibbs will then decide if he will field a full-time teamfor the young pilot next season.

"This is an incredible opportunity, and one that I've wished forfor a long time," Leffler said. "I've wanted to get into NASCARracing, and to join a car owner like Joe Gibbs is a dream cometrue."

Gibbs is hoping Leffler can continue the success he's enjoyingwith a former open-wheel driver on his team. Tony Stewart, the '97Indy Racing League champion, leads the Winston Cup Series rookie-of-the-year point standings in Gibbs' Pontiac.

"Jason has a lot of the same talent and characteristics we saw inTony," Gibbs said. "Starting in the Busch Series will be a goodexperience for him to learn how to make the adjustment from an open-wheel car to a stock car."

ENGINE APPROVED: American Speed Association drivers will makehistory next season when the first factory-produced engine is used instock-car racing.

After more than two years of research and development, the ASA hasapproved the LS1-V8 engine for the 2000 AC-Delco Challenge Series.The power plants will be produced on the assembly line at the GeneralMotors engine operations plant in Romulus, Mich.

"This is a historic day for not only the ASA but for all ofmotorsports," ASA marketing director Mark Gundrum said. "I believewe are seeing the future of American stock-car racing."

The new engines will be the first in major stock-car racing to usefuel injectors, rather than carburetors.