Montreal departs from Nationwide Schedule

 

Circuit Gilles Villeneuve promotor Octane Management announced Friday that the NASCAR Nationwide Series will not return to the 2.71-mile Montreal road course in 2013, ending a six-year relationship.

Francois Dumontier, head of the Octane group that also promotes Formula One racing in the Quebec city, had lobbied for a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. NASCAR senior vice president Steve O’Donnell said through his Twitter account that the track’s decision was somewhat of a surprise and that NASCAR’s second-tier series had expected to return.

NASCAR said it was in the process of ironing out its 2013 Nationwide schedule, which has 33 races this season.

“NASCAR appreciates the support and enthusiasm the great fans of Montreal have shown during our six years of exciting racing at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve,” NASCAR said in a statement. “It’s been a great run for the NASCAR Nationwide Series at this historic venue. NASCAR was preparing to return for 2013, however we were unable to come to an agreement to renew the sanction.”