Mid-Ohio joins Nationwide schedule in 2013

Mid-Ohio's 2.4-mile, 15-turn road course in Lexington will marks the return of NASCAR national series racing to Ohio, the home state of the series' Columbus-based entitlement sponsor, Nationwide Insurance. Mid-Ohio's Aug. 17 addition takes the place of Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on the series' trio of road courses, joining Road America (June 22) and Watkins Glen (Aug. 10).

"With Mid-Ohio on the schedule, the Nationwide Series has another opportunity to lead the way at a new venue," said Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR senior vp of racing operations, of the sixth time in nine years the series will run an inaugural race. "This gives us the opportunity to bring the series' signature side-by-side racing to a new fan base, and build enthusiasm among race fans that have yet to experience the unparalleled experience of attending a NASCAR event.

"This is a competitive and well-balanced schedule that challenges our drivers and teams with a variety of different tracks and distances. It's a schedule that the fans will enjoy."

NASCAR national series racing last competed in Ohio in 2008, with the running of the Camping World Truck Series event at Mansfield Motorsports Park. Grand-Am has raced at Mid-Ohio since 2000, with a one-year hiatus in 2002.

The balance of the 2013 Nationwide schedule, the series' 32nd season, maintains a familiar feel, with a strong mix of short tracks, road courses, intermediate race tracks and superspeedways. Daytona International Speedway hosts the season opener on Feb. 23. That race also will feature the introduction of Chevrolet's Camaro into the series. The series finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway is set for Nov. 16.

Next season's schedule includes six "standalone" race dates: Iowa Speedway (June 8 and Aug. 3), Chicagoland Speedway (July 21), Kentucky Speedway (Sept. 21), Road America and Mid-Ohio.

Kentucky's first Nationwide Series race on June 28, one of 27 companion weekends with the Sprint Cup Series, also will be the qualifying event for the 2013 "Dash 4 Cash" bonus program. The subsequent four races make up the 2013 "Dash 4 Cash" events: Daytona on July 5; New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 13; Chicagoland and the Brickyard.

2013 NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule: