Nascar boss furious at F1 race clash

In this aerial photograph, a section of the Circuit of the Americas race track is shown in Austin Texas, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012. Formula One's U.S. Grand Prix auto race is scheduled for Sunday. (AP Photo/Statesman.com, Alberto Martênez ) MAGS OUT; NO SALES; INTERNET AND TV MUST CREDIT PHOTOGRAPHER AND STATESMAN.COM

In this aerial photograph, a section of the Circuit of the Americas race track is shown in Austin Texas, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012. Formula One's U.S. Grand Prix auto race is scheduled for Sunday. (AP Photo/Statesman.com, Alberto Martênez ) MAGS OUT; NO SALES; INTERNET AND TV MUST CREDIT PHOTOGRAPHER AND STATESMAN.COM

Published Feb 26, 2014

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Austin, Texas - The top executive at Texas Motor Speedway is frustrated over Formula One's decision to hold the United States Grand Prix in Austin on the same weekend that his track hosts a Nascar race.

Eddie Gossage, president and general manager of the circuit, called the scheduling “arrogant” on Tuesday.

“I absolutely think it's foolish,” Gossage said. “It's a shot fired by Formula One at Nascar. I can't say I was surprised because Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone does a lot of foolish things.

“The thing he unfortunately doesn't recognise is there is an 350kg gorilla when it comes to major American motorsport - the gorilla is Nascar.”

“IT’S LESS THAN 100 PERCENT”

Texas Motor Speedway will host Nascar’s Texas 500 on 2 November, the same day Formula One run its only round in the United States this year.

Messages were left late on Tuesday seeking comment from the Circuit of the Americas, where the Formula One Grand Prix will be run, and the FIA, the governing body for the sport.

Gossage said: “Any time you cut something into two pieces, whether it's 50-50, 60-40 or 99-1, it doesn't matter who's got the 99 and who's got the 1, it's less than 100 percent.”

“It's just not smart.”

“There are 52 weeks in the year - but that was the only weekend that Formula One could make it work in Austin, Texas.

“Give me a break.”

Gossage thinks a stronger stance by the management at Circuit of the Americas would have prevented the scheduling issue.

“It wouldn't have happened if they had the strength and the fortitude to stand up and say no,” he said.

Sapa-AP

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