NASCAR: IMS building dirt track for Stewart

What do you get the retiring NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion who insisted "You can save your gifts ... they can just send me a note from the track president"? If you're Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Doug Boles, that's challege accepted. 

Instead, Stewart's getting a dirt track inside the most famous racetrack in the world.

IMS is giving Stewart a 3/16th-mile oval dirt track inside Turn 3 next week, when he is scheduled to visit for a July 5 media appearance. Several teams that own dirt midgets have been invited for an "exhibition," and IMS will modify the track so it's large enough for sprint cars as well. The banking will be about six inches, but IMS is still working on the final preparations.

"Tony doesn't want gifts, per se, but we thought this was a great way to marry his love for dirt-track racing with his love for racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway," IMS president Doug Boles told the Indy Star.

Boles told the Star the speedway could hold some special events – possibly during Indiana Sprint Week or an event during the Brickyard 400 – but it does not plan to host frequent dirt races. The area that will house the track will still serve as infield parking for major oval events.

Stewart and the Sprint Cup Series will return for the Crown Royal 400 at the Brickyard July 22-24.