With the announcement last week the 2024 Legends Road Course World Finals will be held on the new purpose-built road course being built outside of the Charlotte Motor Speedway (NC) 1.5-mile oval, several questions arose regarding Bandolero inclusion, and the future location of the 2025 Winter Heat Series races.
With many of the National events having cross-over support divisions (Legends at the Bandolero Nationals, or Bandoleros at the Legends Asphalt Nationals), would Bandoleros make an appearance on the new road course during the World Finals events?
“For the 2024 Road Course World Finals, INEX does not plan to incorporate Bandoleros into the event,” said Josh Roller, Communications Manager for U.S. Legend Cars International / INEX.
While INEX does not have plans for Bandoleros to race on the new road course at this time, they might in the future.
“INEX will evaluate course configurations at the new Charlotte Motor Speedway road course for any potential inclusion of Bandoleros in the future,” explained Roller to LN. “If a configuration exists that is suitable for Bandolero competition, the incorporation of Bandoleros into any future events on the new road course will be considered.”
With that in mind, where will the 2025 Winter Heat Series take place? On the new road course, or the one used for years inside the CMS facility? Also, is there consideration to race some of the races on the front stretch quarter-mile oval, or return to the fifth-mile oval behind the track?
“INEX does not plan to move Winter Heat from Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Inner Road Course to the new road course being constructed.
“We had over 90 unique Legend Car drivers participate in the Winter Heat in 2024. Utilizing Winter Heat’s dates for road course racing gives more opportunities for drivers wishing to chase a road course national championship. Therefore, INEX believes that Winter Heat’s dates are best served for road course racing.
“INEX does not have any plans to use Charlotte Motor Speedway’s fifth-mile in 2024 or future Winter Heat events.”
Finally, LN asked if the race dates for the Winter Heat Series would remain in the January / February time frame, or would there be a return to running half the series in December and half the next year.
“During the month of December, Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Speedway Christmas is in full swing and occupies much of the course configuration used for Winter Heat, as well as space in the garage for hauler and trailer parking,” said Roller. “INEX would not be able to contest any Winter Heat dates at CMS during the month of December.”
To see who won races and championships in the 2024 Winter Heat Series, click here.
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