Indy falls short on entries, ticket sales

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis 500 still has not sold out and does not yet have a full 33-car field. But Indy Racing League CEO Tony George is not too concerned.

"If we end up with a short field, we end up with a short field," George said Friday.

Drivers were still looking for rides Friday, just a day before pole qualifying. The official entry sheet lists 31 driver-car combinations. The 1947 race, with only 30 cars, was the last one without a full field.

George, who founded the IRL in 1994, blamed the weak economy and competition for the failure to fill the field early.

"With the change of equipment, with some of the teams that planned on being here not being able to find sponsorship for whatever reason, certain teams going to CART, you find yourself with fewer entrants," he said. "I expect it will get better."

He's also optimistic attendance will improve. George, who also owns Indianapolis Motor Speedway, said tickets remain for the May 25 race.

He said corporate sponsorship has waned. George also said NASCAR's Brickyard 400 in 1994 and a Formula One race in 2001 has diluted Indy's motorsports market.

"With three events and significant challenges in the marketplace, we haven't been able to announce a sellout," George said. "I don't know if it will be noticeable."

Ashton Lewis Jr. wins Busch pole at Gateway

MADISON, Ill. -- Ashton Lewis Jr. won the first pole of his NASCAR Busch Series career in qualifying Friday at Gateway International Raceway near St. Louis.

Lewis took the top spot for today's Charter Pipeline 250 by circling the 1 1/4-mile oval at 131.903 mph in a Chevrolet.

Ron Hornaday, also driving a Chevy, took the outside of the front row with a run at 131.791. Jason Keller qualified third in a Ford, going 131.637.

Stacy Compton was fourth-fastest, followed by Kasey Kahne, Mike Bliss, Kenny Wallace, Scott Riggs, Randy Lajoie and Johnny Sauter.

Late models dropped from weekly ATPR schedule

BENTON, Mo. -- Starting today, the weekly schedule of events at Auto Tire and Parts Racepark will be smaller.

Track officials announced Thursday that the United Midwestern Promoters-sanctioned late models have been dropped from the Saturday night schedule slightly more than a month into the season.

Sprints, UMP modifieds, street stocks and cruisers will make up the weekly program beginning today.

"The decision was strictly economics and nothing else," track promoter Jerry Wolsey said.

Almost 25 late models entered opening-night events April 5, but the number dwindled to 10 within three weeks.

Malden track MARS event called off because of rain

MALDEN, Mo. -- A $3,000-to-win Mid-America Racing Series late model event Thursday night was called off for the second time this season because of rain.

Officials with the track and the touring series are working to reschedule the event, which was to have featured Winston Cup racer Ken Schrader among its competitors.

-- From staff, wire reports