Comments on: Establish An Independence Day Tradition

By: Martin

Martin — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 02:49:25 +0000

If it’s strictly on the 4th it has to be a place that will attract attendance, because who’s watching TV on the afternoon or evening of the 4th? If it’s the 4th weekend, I’d love RA, but that’s too close to the Milwaukee Mile. And Pocono is too close to its NASCAR dates. If MIS or NHIS show an interest, jump at it.

By: Tsong

Tsong — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 13:28:28 +0000

为什么你不喜欢乔治 · 中国。我们把种族为中国新的一年的大烟花。在中国餐馆吃。

By: Tom G.

Tom G. — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 00:36:23 +0000

George, why do you hate Canadians?

(kidding)

I always liked the July 4th weekend date at the Glen with Grand Am’s 6 hour race. Seems like it had potential.

I can understand the issue with getting corporate support. Sad that it seems to be a necessity in this day and age.

I like Steve K.’s idea about the triple crown. ending the season with a 500 mile race on labor day would be a great tradition.

By: redcar

redcar — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 19:11:53 +0000

good idea.

By: Steve K

Steve K — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 18:09:53 +0000

Camping, Fireworks, and Racing. I like it. Let’s use the Triple Crown 500 mile idea and have Pocono or MIS for the Fourth (PA), then the other on Labor Day weekend (MI) for the final race of the year. Will people buy tickets?

By: SkipinSC

SkipinSC — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 15:05:09 +0000

George,

I could not agree more. There is a large segment of the population who choose to do some sort of camping advcenture surroundingthe 4th, which, to my mond, lends itself VERY well to a 500 mile race at either Pocono or Michigan, neither of which is in or near a metropolitan area. The one problem with either of these venues is the general lack of hotel accomodations for those fans who feel less like “roughing” it. I have not been to either facility in a number of years, but in both cases, there seemed to be a lack of permanent accomodations, although Michigan is a bit less “middle of nowhere” than Pocono.

When you add in the potential for Indy Lights, AMLS, and other satellite series, I think you have the potential for something really great. Whichever choice, IndyCar MUST amke a multi year committment to these venues. As we saw with Milwaukee, one shot is not enough. Had not Michael Andretti stepped up and doen his outstanding job of promoting Milwaukee, we’d almost certainly lost that piece of history.

By: redcar

redcar — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 15:00:46 +0000

Don’t think a race on the 4th itself would work, for reasons John stated above. As for the weekend before or after, that’s not really a holiday unless it happens to overlap the weekend, so it doesn’t matter.

If I HAD to stage a race on the 4th of July, I’d do a prime-time street race in Vegas at night. Most of the fireworks shows on tube that night are boring anyway.

By: JohnMc

JohnMc — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 14:37:23 +0000

The “Great American Holiday,” Memorial Day, is and always has been IndyCar’s. Bruton Smith and NASCAR can differ all that they want, but that is how it is. As for the 4th of July, my traditions are usually poolside or on a boat, but most always near a grill. Everything else is pretty much background.

Happy 4th of July!!!!

By: Ron Ford

Ron Ford — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 14:33:44 +0000

There is a nice little story on Speed today that you might enjoy reading. It is about how the traditions of what used to be called the “Firecracker 400″ have changed and not for the better.

By: JB

JB — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 12:47:12 +0000

Blame Canada! Blame Canada!!

Wasn’t the primary reason given for abandoning Watkins was corporate types didn’t want to go to a race on the 4th of July weekend?

At some point, Randy Benard needs to make a damn decision and stick with it.