Mid-Ohio joins 2013 NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule

    NASCAR on Tuesday unveiled the 2013 schedule for its Nationwide Series, a lineup that includes a trip to the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, for the first time in series history.

   Mid-Ohio, a 2.4-mile, 15-turn road course marks the return of NASCAR to Ohio, the home state of the series’ Columbus-based entitlement sponsor, Nationwide Insurance. Mid-Ohio’s Aug. 17 race joins the series’ lineup of road courses, including Road America (June 22) and Watkins Glen (Aug. 10).

   “This gives us the opportunity to bring the series’ signature side-by-side racing to a new fan base, and build enthusiasm among race fans that have yet to experience the unparalleled experience of attending a NASCAR event," said Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR senior vice president of racing operations.

   “This is a competitive and well-balanced schedule that challenges our drivers and teams with a variety of different tracks and distances. It’s a schedule that the fans will enjoy.”

   The balance of the 2013 NASCAR Nationwide schedule maintains a familiar feel, with a strong mix of short tracks, road courses, intermediate race tracks and superspeedways.

   Daytona International Speedway hosts the season opener on Feb. 23. That race also will feature the introduction of Chevrolet’s Camaro into the series. The series finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway is set for Nov. 16. Next season’s schedule includes six “standalone” race dates: Iowa Speedway (June 8 and Aug. 3), Chicagoland Speedway (July 21), Kentucky Speedway (Sept. 21), Road America and Mid-Ohio.

 

 

2013 NASCAR NATIONWIDE SERIES SCHEDULE

Date Site

2/23 Daytona International Speedway

3/2 Phoenix International Raceway

3/9 Las Vegas Motor Speedway

3/16 Bristol Motor Speedway

3/23 Auto Club Speedway

4/12 Texas Motor Speedway

4/26 Richmond International Raceway

5/4 Talladega Superspeedway

5/10 Darlington Raceway

5/25 Charlotte Motor Speedway

6/1 Dover International Speedway

6/8 Iowa Speedway

6/15 Michigan International Speedway

6/22 Road America

6/28 Kentucky Speedway

7/5 Daytona International Speedway

7/13 New Hampshire Motor Speedway

7/21 Chicagoland Speedway

7/27 Indianapolis Motor Speedway

8/3 Iowa Speedway

8/10 Watkins Glen International

8/17 Mid-Ohio

8/23 Bristol Motor Speedway

8/31 Atlanta Motor Speedway

9/6 Richmond International Raceway

9/14 Chicagoland Speedway

9/21 Kentucky Speedway

9/28 Dover International Speedway

10/5 Kansas Speedway

10/11 Charlotte Motor Speedway

11/2 Texas Motor Speedway

11/9 Phoenix International Raceway

11/16 Homestead-Miami Speedway