From a press release issued by California Speedway:

The following is a statement from California Speedway President Bill Miller concerning the 2004 CART Champ Car schedule that was released on Thursday, November 13. The schedule listed California Speedway’s date as TBA.

STATEMENT FROM CALIFORNIA SPEEDWAY PRESIDENT BILL MILLER CONCERNING 2004 CART SCHEDULE
Friday, November 14, 2003

“We believe it was misleading for CART to include California Speedway on its 2004 race schedule released on November 13, 2003. It is our position that there is no valid Official Organizer/Promoter Agreement in place for a 2004 CART Competition at California Speedway.

“Further, we are currently in litigation with CART as it relates to the 2003 event regarding a ‘force majeure’ as described in the Official Organizer/Promoter Agreement due to the wildfires that were burning throughout San Bernardino County and surrounding areas, which led to the cancellation of the King Taco 500.

“Per the Official Organizer/Promoter Agreement, California Speedway is due back the $2.5 million Organization and Rights Fee previously paid to CART, less a mutually agreeable amount for legitimate expenses reasonably incurred by CART in preparing for the event. Until this matter is resolved, we are unwilling to participate in discussions concerning future relationships.”