ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times

DATE: Wednesday, December 20, 1995           TAG: 9512200067
SECTION: SPORTS                   PAGE: C-3  EDITION: METRO 
DATELINE: INDIANAPOLIS
SOURCE: Associated Press 

CART WILL STAGE RACE TO COMPETE WITH INDY

Drivers and their racing teams will compete in the Indianapolis 500 - just like they've been doing since 1911.

However, unlike previous years, there will be a serious challenge on Memorial Day weekend 1996 to the Indy 500's place as the sport's premier race - as well as a big-time bid for fans' attention and money.

Championship Auto Racing Teams will conduct its own event on Memorial Day weekend. CART officials are upset with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway over guaranteed starting positions in the Indy 500.

``The fans will now be able to vote by supporting any race they feel is the best. We feel we have the best product with the stars of the sport and a quality lineup of race cars,'' CART spokesman Adam Saal said.

CART'S board of directors voted Monday in Chicago to stage the U.S. 500 - in direct competition with the Indianapolis 500 - on May 26. Saal said such marquee race drivers as Al Unser Jr., Michael Andretti and Emerson Fittipaldi would compete in the race at Michigan International Speedway.

``The board of directors have taken a firm and unanimous decision that we will proceed with our own race on Memorial Day weekend,'' CART president Andrew Craig said.

Qualifying will start May 11, the same day drivers begin time tests for the Indy 500. Other details, including plans to televise the U.S. 500, will be released at a news conference in early January.

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