Again dylan…. why do you think Ford or GM would be all hot to get back into AOW? GM just went bankrupt & they left Indycar when they had $$$ (because they couldn’t match Honda & Toyota). Ford chose CCWS so they don’t seem welcomed @ Indy.

Plus… ISC controls ovals like MIS. They could careless what Ford or GM wants … unless these two dropped an obscene amount of $$$ for a race (which given the economy, they will NOT).

Mid Ohio can be enjoyed from almost any of their 14 corners & its two-tiered paddock garages allow fans incredible access to the cars, drivers, & teams

I think the race overall is a good thing, I just wish it was earlier in the season. I like the variety the track brings – half Chicago and half Milwaukee. The scheduling for TV really wasn’t much different than the silly scheduling of Chicago. IndyCar has very few sponsors or corporate supporters right now and you really have to show them you appreciate it. I think it sticks out in a 17 race season but would blend better into a 24 race season which to me is the aspirational goal.

Have you ever been to Mid – Ohio? The weekend is one heck of a spectator event. Granted it doesn’t translate well to television, but it is a really enjoyable experience. Not all events need to be the same cookie cutter experience. Indy of course has a superbowl feel, the ovals seem like an NFL game, and Mid O (and I am presuming the Glen) seem like an outdoor concert or a picnic with a race going on. I have done four races this year and MO is a very nice change of pace from the others – not sure I would have made the effort of attending a fourth oval.
One of the appeals of AOW for me has always been that it is not cookie cutter (except for the cars right now). Variety is the spice of life. Remove it and you have, well, nascar. Next time you go to the grocery store, take a look around, there’s flavors other than vanilla! Cheers – keep up the good work at planet-irl

that way we get a longer season that starts earlier, ends without delay, keeps major sponsors happy and grows the league outside the U.S.

I agree to a great extent with what you’re saying, George, regarding having to fly around the world, and the race starting so late on the East Coast and the issues with the location and access to the circuit. However, the issue is Honda, and if they want this race, until other manufacturers are willing to come along and provide the kind of support Bridgestone and Honda are, sometimes you have to play nice to get something back. Personally, if Honda wants a showcase for their work in IndyCar, I’d prefer they raced at the also Honda-owned Suzuka.