Comments on: Should IndyCar Run A Second Race At IMS?

By: Bob F.

Bob F. — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 20:04:02 +0000

Just more proof they don’t get it.

By: scott

scott — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 13:37:47 +0000

The series already has a dozen races that, when combined, do not total the 14 million viewers that the 500 attracts on race day. Those races cost the teams close to 10x the cost of May at Indy.

Every added race, even another at IMS, adds more cost than revenue, making the affordability of real racing equipment less viable.

The answer is an unmitigated no. Every race added beyond May is harmful to the health of the sport that in the eyes of the majority of people who watch a single minute of Indycar racing each year, believe only exists in May.

By: Savage Henry

Savage Henry — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 20:35:49 +0000

The only thing that Indycar has to trade on right now is the (already declining) prestige of the Indy 500. Anything that dilutes the 500 would amount to killing the golden goose. Another Indycar race would dilute the 500.

Find other ways to use the facility, but don’t add another Indycar race. Mark Miles talked about adding non-racing entertainment events. I think that’s a great idea. Bringing in non-racing customers is bringing in new money. Doing more racing events is recycling the same money.

By: redcar

redcar — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 17:25:47 +0000

I hope you’re wrong, but I’m afraid you’re right, Steve.

By: Steve K

Steve K — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 17:16:15 +0000

Lights are coming to the Horseshoe so I am convinced nothing is sacred anymore. IndyCars, at night, for 300-400 miles sounds inevitable. Might as well enjoy it.

By: billytheskink

billytheskink — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 15:34:05 +0000

I just don’t see the need to contest a second Indycar race at the speedway, road course or not. It would lack tradition and differentiation from the 500 for the locals, and it wouldn’t be a very compelling trip for out-of-towners. Is IMS willing to put on a major event that draws half of the current Brickyard 400 crowd? I dunno, but I don’t think that is a prospect that excites the business-obsessed side of the Indycar fanbase.
If it happened, I’d watch, but probably wouldn’t be putting it on my list of races to attend someday ahead of Milwaukee, Iowa, Mid Ohio, and the like.

Even so, if such an event were to take place, there are ways to make it more interesting.

For a road race, pairing the Indycars with a major road racing series, Grand-ALMS or the World Endurance Championship, would be a good way to make the event more worthwhile. This could take Grand-ALMS away from the Brickyard weekend, though. Those Australian V8 Supercars would be another interesting option, the guys who sat in front of me at the 500 in 2011 were Australians decked out in their V8 Supercar gear.

A second oval race would be a tougher sell than a road race, it’d never be more than a really poor man’s 500. Pairing an oval race with a road race in one weekend, though, could be interesting. Make them both 250 miles for “500 mile weekend” and give a trophy and bonus points to the best average finisher between the two. Cash bonus for winning both.

Staying in the Indy market, but leaving the speedway… an Indycar race at the IRP oval capping off a weekend of major USAC races? That’s a trip I’d schedule and a pipe dream I can dig.

By: JPIndyCar

JPIndyCar — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 15:30:48 +0000

To add to that, if a rebuttal is that a second race would be like printing money, the same money, at less effort could be had by selling a sponsorship for the facility.

By: JPIndyCar

JPIndyCar — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 15:28:22 +0000

To me this is selling to fans you already have, when they should be focussing on a new market with new fans. Two races at IMS wont increase the ratings. A new race at Phoenix might.

By: JohnMc

JohnMc — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 14:51:54 +0000

I spend enough money going to Indianapolis in May (worth it!) and I can’t spend that twice. As for the road course, I prefer Barber because it is a beautiful course and can be a day-trip from Nashville.

By: redcar

redcar — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 13:48:54 +0000

A second oval race would be a big, huge mistake. It would confuse and dilute the impact, the meaning and history, the importance of the race in May.

On the other hand, if I owned IMS, I’d figure out a way to get some money back on that road track.

On my third hand, the road track would need improvements to stage a quality race there and that would mean even more money.