Newz Forum: AUTO: Busch releases 2005 schedule

The NASCAR Busch Series will race outside the United States next year for the first time in its history, as series officials announced the 2005 schedule Thursday.

The Busch Series will race March 6 at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez road course in Mexico City. It's the first time one of NASCAR's top three national series -- Nextel Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck -- has raced outside the United States since 1998, when the Cup drivers last raced in Japan in an exhibition race.

The Cup series held exhibition races in Japan from 1996-98 before abandoning the experiment. The Winston West series, sanctioned by NASCAR held a points event in Japan in 1999, but did not return.

The Busch schedule also grows to 35 races with the addition of two road races. Joining Mexico City is a race at Watkins Glen. Watkins Glen replaces the race at Nazareth Speedway.

The series opens Feb. 19 at Daytona and ends Nov. 19 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. After Daytona, the series goes to California Speedway the following week and then to Mexico City. The series races at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord on May 28 and Oct. 14.

By Dustin Long Staff Writer
News & Record