Southern Illinois racetrack to reopen in 2015

BELLEVILLE, Ill. (AP) - A Southern Illinois racetrack will reopen in 2015 after signing a multi-year agreement with a race promoter.

The Belleville News-Democrat reports Belle-Clair Speedway reached an agreement with Performance Open Wheel Racing, Inc., to promote open wheel divisions at the dirt track. Allied will continue sanctioning the stock car divisions.

Officials say the full schedule will include events on weekends, in addition to Belle-Clair's traditional Friday night contests.

Kenny Brown of Performance Open Wheel Racing Inc. says the company's primary goal was to keep Belle-Clair Speedway open, after a previous promoter terminated its partnership with the track.

Brown says the company is now working on "bigger and better things" for the speedway and its fans.

Belle-Clair Speedway is located at the St. Clair County Fairgrounds.