New Orleans Zephyrs signs agreement with Montreal Expos

DOVER, Del. Martinsville, Va., will lose its Busch Series race and Montreal will add one next season, according to a copy of the 2007 schedule distributed Saturday at Dover International Speedway.

An official announcement, including NASCAR's expansion to Canada, is expected Tuesday.

The Charlotte Observer reported last week that the date of the race at Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve should the deal be completed would be Saturday, Aug. 4. The 2007 schedule distributed Saturday confirms that date.

The move provides back-to-back road-course events; the week following Montreal the series will head to Watkins Glen, N.Y.

Martinsville hosted a Busch race this year for the first time since 1994. The event was not well attended.

Aces retain still-rising star by signing Filion - 1 YEAR- Montreal native's language skills improved along with two-way game

Between Olivier Filion's halting English and his uncertain grasp of defensive hockey, it was hard to say which skill was sketchier when the Montreal native showed up to play for the Alaska Aces two years ago.

Off the ice, Filion recalled as he sat in the team's offices Tuesday, he often asked teammate and fellow French Canadian Charles Linglet to handle important communications. On the ice, Filion's defensive liabilities sometimes limited his ice time.

These days, Filion's English is markedly improved, and he takes care of all his business. Ditto for his capabilities as a two-way center, which have developed so much he expects to shoulder more responsibility in his third season for the ECHL champions.