NASCAR mulling “impactful” changes to 2011 schedule, details could be ironed out in 2 weeks

Changes likely as NASCAR works on 2011 schedule

INDIANAPOLIS — NASCAR appears ready to give its 2011 Sprint Cup schedule a facelift.

CEO Brian France said before Sunday’s race at Indianapolis that stock car’s top series is in the “final throes” of completing next year’s Cup slate and that it could feature some “impactful” changes.

International Speedway Corp. is asking for a second race in Kansas, while Speedway Motorsports Inc. wants Las Vegas to get a second Cup date. SMI is also hoping to bring a Cup race to its 1.5-mile track in northern Kentucky.

France also said the series is still mulling changes the Chase for the championship format to bring more excitement, though it’s possible NASCAR could leave it the same. France noted that under the changes NASCAR is considering, Jimmie Johnson still would have won the last four titles.