NASCAR nationwide series is coming to Mid-Ohio

 NASCAR is adding Mid-Ohio to the Nationwide Series next season as the third road course on the 2013 schedule.

The Aug. 17 race in Lexington will mark NASCAR's return to Ohio, home state of series sponsor Nationwide Insurance. NASCAR last raced in Ohio in 2008 with the Truck Series.

Mid-Ohio joins a June stop at Road America in Wisconsin and an August race at Watkins Glen, N.Y., as the road course events. It replaces Montreal on the 33-race schedule, and marks the sixth time in nine years the Nationwide series will run an inaugural race.

"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 vice president of racing operations. "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."

Mid-Ohio is a 2.4-mile, 15-turn road course which currently hosts the IndyCar Series and Grand-Am Racing. The 2013 IndyCar race is scheduled for Aug. 4, just 13 days before NASCAR's inaugural event. Grand-Am, which is owned by NASCAR, races at Mid-Ohio in June.

The Nationwide season opens at Daytona on Feb. 23, closes at Homestead on Nov. 16 and returns to Indianapolis Motor Speedway in July. There are six stand-alone races -- two at Iowa, and one each at Chicagoland, Kentucky, Road America and Mid-Ohio.

Chevrolet will debut the Camaro in the series next season.