I am going to take the opportunity today to share some of my posts from my former blog Triple League Racing. I still will post things on Triple League Racing but reduce it a bunch.
ISC and IndyCar: A Divorce then a Relationship:
The International Speedway Corporation was founded in 1953 by Bill France Sr. He was the president and CEO of NASCAR and his company International Speedway Corporation built Daytona in 1953; Daytona was the first of many tracks built under the ISC name. When Roger Penske was building tracks for open wheel such as Nazareth, and Auto Club Speedway, ISC and Penske’s companies merged. The tracks that got transferred from Penske’s group to the ISC were: Rockingham USA, Michigan, Auto Club, Homestead Miami Speedway(the first track design was by Penske)and Nazareth. As of 2010 IndyCar raced at 4 of the ISC’s tracks: Chicagoland, Homestead, Kansas and Watkins Glen. Former IndyCar races at Phoenix International Raceway and Richmond International Raceway were also ISC tracks. Of the ISC tracks that IndyCar used to race at about 5 of them have the best racing.
For 2011 ISC dropped all IndyCar activity at the 4 tracks that held IndyCar racing in 2010. Instead the IndyCar Series added a revival race at Milwaukee, which had no fans, a later race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway a Bruton Smith track. And Las Vegas another Smith track. Also to replace Watkins Glen the series added a street race in Baltimore, Maryland that takes place in September.
As of July 5th, 2011 the ISC announced a new relationship with IndyCar and the Auto Club Speedway for a 400 mile race in Fall of 2012, replacing the vacated NASCAR date from 2011. Also IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard has said that discussions are underway with Chicagoland again along with the Watkins Glen International Raceway. Chicagoland and Watkins Glen have a new president and wants to have IndyCar back at those two tracks. Bernard wants to return to Michigan as well. As for the ISC racing owned series racing RE: NASCAR, Rolex Grand Am, AMA ProBike, and Contential Sports Car Challenge Series. Those series run at tracks that IndyCar needs to be at such as Road America, Road Atlana, Portland, Miller, Sebring, and VIR. Bernard has said discussions are underway with Road America, Road Atlanta, and Portland for races in 2012, those are quality road courses that could easily replace the Trinity of Boredom: Infineon, Barber, and Mid Ohio. If these races are added Chicagoland will be a night race after the Iowa race in mid June. Watkins Glen will likely go back to its Fourth of July date. Portland will likely be the race before Long Beach. Road America will be with the American Le Mans series in June, and supposively Road America has a sponsor in a partnership with Bucyrus and Menards. Bucyrus is the sponsor for the Nationwide Race at Road America. Road Atlanta should be ran as a doubleheader with ALMS, Sebring would kickoff the season with the 12 hours of Sebring weekend. Negoations with Phoenix and Michigan fell through the water, so hopefully 2013.
Hopefully this divorce then a relationship with the ISC can turn into a long term committed relationship just like it was in a successful CART series in the 90′s. IndyCar may benefit from Grand Am dropping there second race at Watkins Glen to make room for IndyCar.
Triple Crowns in IndyCar Racing for the Future:
With Fontana returning to the IndyCar Series Schedule and being a 400 mile race for fall 2012, there has been a ton of rumors of the Triple Crown of ovals returning to the series. Also there are talks of a Canadian Triple Crown also. What tracks would be on the list though for ovals? Obviously, Indianapolis, Fontana is a lock because of the race being 400 miles in Fall 2012 and it being a night race. Texas has been rumored in a Triple Crown also with dumping the Texas Firestone Twin 275′s and going to a 600 or 650 kilometer race instead. Texas is a 1.5 mile track and if they would go to 600 kilometers it would be: about 380 laps or so. That is way too long of a race so either go back to 500kilometer races or 400 kilometer races.
Las Vegas is rumored to move to a night race but have a 400 mile race there. This would be good to have as a season finale as the IndyCar World Championships. Chicagoland is rumored for a revival. Could the third race be there? If it is it probably would be a 350 mile race or a 400 mile race. Personally 400 mile races are good for IndyCar because they are up to the level that Sprint Cup is at, and lets face it they are IndyCar’s main competition. As of now 300 mile races are as long as most Nationwide races are on mile and a half race tracks. Kentucky just wouldn’t work for this format because they are committed to 300 mile IndyCar races. The only 400 mile race there will be Saturday Night’s Inagural Sprint Cup race. Could Charlotte Motor Speedway work as a third race of the oval triple crown? Bruton Smith wants IndyCar there but when would they race there because NASCAR’s dates are in May and October. Maybe a tune up for the Indy 500 or a July or August race. The spring date makes much more sense because they are out of hurricane season. Charlotte is already part of NASCAR’s Triple Crown, (Daytona 500, Brickyard 400, and Coca Cola 600.) My triple crown would be: Indy, Fontana, and Texas because they are the longest races on the schedule.
There is a rumored Canadian Triple Crown starting in as soon as 2012. What tracks would be a part of it though since IndyCar only has two Canada races, Toronto and Edmonton. There is rumored return to Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, also a revival of the Vancouver Street Circuit and possibly Jeff Gordon’s new oval that opens in 2012 called Canadian Motor Speedway, its a 1.0 mile oval. Toronto and Edmonton should be locks for the Canadian Triple Crown because they are probably the two best street races on the schedule and have the best racing. So what could be the third race? Vancouver’s Street Circuit is way too narrow, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve might be a good choice and probably the smartest. Or will Canadian fans want an oval for the IndyCar Series at Canadian Motor Speedway? My triple crown would be Toronto, Edmonton and Canadian just because of the lack of ovals in Canada. If there were enough ovals in Canada I would say Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
IndyCar also needs to have a triple crown of road courses also. If they do go to Road America in 2012 that would be the top race of the Triple Crown of Road Courses because Road America is the fastest natural terrain road course with a ton of passing zones and long straights. If Star Mazda, USF2000, Nationwide, ALMS, Grand Am and AMA Bikes can race there why can’t IndyCar. Star Mazda and USF2000 are sanctioned with the IndyCar Series. If they decide to add Sebring, Road Atlanta and Portland in the near future those would be on my list. It is the same thing with Sebring and Road Atlanta, sports cars and IndyCar sanctioned series’ race there. Watkins Glen has to be in the mix because that track is the best road course IndyCar has ever been at because you can passing nearly every corner and has long straights.
So that is it for my Triple Crown ideas, hopefully Randy Bernard goes back to this format because it worked very well in CART in the 80′s.
What are Formula One’s Chances at 2 Formula One Races:
According to speedtv.com the FOTA president Charlie Witmarsh wants to have two races in the United States for Formula One. Witmarsh has said he wants to have it on the races on the East Coast and West Coast. How does this play in with the Circuit of the Americas, since it is in the southern United States? In the late 70′s and early 80′s there were two United States Grand Prixes. The first one was at Long Beach street circuit and was the “United States Grand Prix West” and the second one at Watkins Glen was called “United States Grand Prix East.” After the depatures from Long Beach and Watkins Glen, they returned to a street circuit in Las Vegas called Caesars Palace for two years, after that there was a five year depature until the Detroit Street Circuit played host to the Grand Prix. Finally in the late 80s and early 90s the Grand Prix was held at a street circuit in Phoenix. After Phoenix Street Circuit there was a ten year absence until the next return for the Grand Prix in 2000 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course. The race was held from 2000-2007, also from 2005-2007 the race partnered with the Firestone Indy Lights as a part of the Liberty Challenge. Then Austin in 2012. Now I will list my options that could be under consideration for the future for both the east and west United States Grand Prix. Lets start with the West.
Wow, the West Coast of the United States has some great permanent road courses. From Portland, to Laguna Seca to Miller Motorsports Park, to Infineon Raceway. Portland International Raceway is a 1.96 mile road course also called Vanport Raceway. Some of the track features are long straights like Monza and Silverstone, the first complex of corners are a common copy from Monza with the Festival Turns that represent turns 1-3. The backstraightaway has a long carousel type straight that has Formula One Style kerbs. Overall this would be a great course to have a Formula One race at. Portland has played host to CART/ChampCar also and have had very successful races there. My next option is Miller Motorsports Park located in Salt Lake City, Utah. The track is a 4.0 mile road course with long straights and fast corners. The track hasn’t seen any action in the past year other than NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Division races there. American Le Mans and Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series have raced there also. This is a type of track that Formula One president Bernie Ecclestone would be interested in, (in my opinion). Overall good track but lacks other racing there in the past year. Next track: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Laguna Seca is a very complicated decision because it has long straights and its most famous turn the “corkscrew.” The track is too tight for F1 cars but it has history. As IZOD IndyCar driver put it “its like Infineon on drugs.” Laguna Seca is a 2.25 mile road course located in Monterrey, California. My verdict on this track is unknown because it lacks a lot but brings a lot to table also. My last track for the road course section of the West side of the United States Grand Prix is: Infineon Raceway. The track is a 2.25 mile located in Sonoma, California. This track has been described as “Monaco without walls.” Personally this is a terrible track because it has no real long straights except for the drag strip and has no passing zones what so ever. Formula One would never race here. As for street courses. Long Beach could return it is a street course that is 1.96 miles long and is very similar to Monaco. The only downside to the track is lack of room and not an accurate pit road entrance. The series has raced there before in the 1980s but a return isn’t likely. The IndyCar races there have been very successful there, so keep that. Verdict: unknown. Las Vegas Street Circuit has to be rumored in the mix because it has many long straights and many passing zones like Portland. In the only race there in 2007 for the ChampCar World Series it was probably the most exciting street race I have ever seen! Verdict: unknown. Probably Portland would get the nod because of the similarities to Silverstone and Monza, Bernie likes those tracks.
On the East Coast there are many options to mention. First lets start with road courses then I will work into the street courses. I’m going to start with Sebring International Raceway. Sebring is located in Sebring, Florida, it has played host to older Formula One races in the 60s and 70s but is most known for the 12 Hours of Sebring Sports Car Endurance race in March. The track’s characteristics: longstraightaways that you can drag race on, fast corners. Verdict: Great track but not likely for return. Watkins Glen International Raceway is a 3.37 mile road course that is located in Watkins Glen, New York. Formula one has had races there but not with the current bus stop layout. The only Formula One run on the track lately was Lewis Hamilton and Tony Stewart’s “Seat Swap.” The track is a driver’s favorite because there are many passing zones, mainly in every corner. Who wouldn’t want to see a F1 car carry the speed to the bus stop through the esses at over 200 mph? I would. Verdict: Likely for Return. Road Atlanta is a 2.54 mile road course located in Braselton, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta. The track opened in 1998 and plays host to Motorcycle races along with the American Le Mans Series ” Petit Le Mans.” At this track there has been many safety concerns. Verdict: No open wheel experience at the track but not likely because of the safety concerns. Now to my one and only street course: Cleveland’s Burke Lakefront Airport. Cleveland is a 2.4 mile track that has multiple long straights with chicanes. The track is very fast. ChampCar/CART had held races there for almost 30 years! The CCWS/CART can turn laps under 40 seconds. What would F1 turn?? Maybe 32-35 second laps. Verdict: Great track with many passing zones, but wouldn’t probably be high on Bernie’s list of tracks.
Overall the two Grand Prix’s would be Portland (WEST) and Watkins Glen (EAST) based on what I said in this article. These are tracks that are 100 times better than the Circuit of the Americas, both tracks have a ability to hold Formula One races.
June 30: What I See Happening: RE: 2012 IndyCar Schedule:
With the announcement for the 2012 IndyCar Schedule coming up in a few weeks, I am taking this opportunity to share with the readers what I think what tracks will be added/dropped.
Existing Contracts: The Indianapolis 500 has been signed already and will take place on May,27th on ABC. The city of Long Beach has a contract signed with IndyCar until 2015 with an option with the city to carry it through 2020. Sao Paulo Indy 300 has a contract through 2019 with the city. St Petersburg has a contract through 2013 and the city of St. Petersburg is trying to extend it through 2017. Barber Motorsports Park is in its last year of its contract. The city of Baltimore signed there Labor Day Weekend race through 2014 w/ an option for through 2016.
Expired Contracts: The Iowa Speedway’s contract expired last Saturday night and CEO Randy Bernard has strong interest in returning possibly with a doubleheader format Saturday night/Sunday Afternoon. Mid Ohio Sports Car Course is in the last year of its contract this year, it is not likely that the series will return in 2012. Texas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, and Infineon Raceway (SMI) are the last year of there contracts. I expect all of these tracks to return because it is Bruton Smith and Eddie Gossage. Milwakee Mile had a 1 year contract with the league, Bernard has said he wants to return but there is not enough local support. He has expressed the idea of moving the race to right after Indy or during the Wisconsin State Fair. The egg shaped oval in Motegi will not return in 2012 this was announced in February, 2011. Kentucky Motor Speedway will return according to Randy Bernard and Bruton Smith. I see the Streets of Toronto returning in 2012. Edmonton City Centre Airport has a 3 year contract with IndyCar, but Bernard has said he needs to talk to the race promoter (Octane Motorsports Group). Also he said that it will be determined by how many people come to the Edmonton race in July.
ISC Tracks Returning: Randy Bernard has expressed interest in going back to Chicagoland Speedway in Joilet, Illinois and the new track president at Chicagoland wants to bring back IndyCar Racing. Phoenix International Raceway is a 50-50 in my opinion because IndyCar doesn’t get along with their track president. If this race happens it will be before the Daytona 500 and start the season. Discussions are still going on with the Michigan International Speedway, this would bring back the U.S. 500. If this race happens it will be during the 4th of July weekend or in late September, after the NASCAR Races (June and August). Rumor has said that the Auto Club Speedway (California) is in. Watkins Glen International Raceway should be returning, the track also has a new president and wants to bring back IndyCar Racing.
Champ Car Races Returning: The drivers have urged CEO Randy Bernard to visit Road America and bring back as an endurance race. If this race happens it will replace Milwaukee according to Bernard, also it is likely it will be with ALMS during middle to late August. Promoter Mike Lanigan has found a sponsor for his Houston street race at Reliant Park. The track is a 1.7 mile street course. Lanigan’s other race Cleveland, has been rumored in a doubleheader. The doubleheader would see a Friday night new 1.0 mile race and the traditional airport course on Sunday. The street circuit on the Belle Isle has been rumored in a revival and it is possible GM will have to cover all costs (Roger Penske). The street circuit in Surfers Paradise is rumored for a return possibly with the Australian V-8 Supercars in late October or November. Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is rumored in return also, who would want to see Barnfart not allow a pass like Zanardi’s in the corkscrew (it won’t work!)
Others in the Mix: According to Curt Cavin’s Q&A Memphis Motorsports Park is a possibility. This track is owned by the Dover Motorsports Inc. (DMI) The track is just way to0 short. A road event then oval (Indy Style) in China is in the mix. According to Track Forum they were at the Milwaukee race but no contracts were signed. According to IndyCar Garage a race on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course could be a season finale. A street race/airport race is rumored for Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This is Ryan Hunter Reay’s hometown so go figure. During the broadcast of the Sao Paulo Indy 300 on Versus, it was mentioned that a second race in Brazil will happen. It will be in the fall and be a street course in Porto Alegre, Brazil. A Canadian oval owned and designed by Jeff Gordon is also in the mix
The Schedule:
- Phoenix International Raceway March 4th, 2012 ??
- Streets of St. Petersburg, Florida March 18th, 2012
- Streets of Houston, Texas Marcfh 25th, 2012
- Barber Motorsports Park April 8th, 2012
- Streets of Long Beach, California April 15th, 2012
- Streets of Sao Paulo, Brazil April 29th, 2012
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway May 27th, 2012
- Milwaukee Mile June 2nd, 2012??
- Texas Motor Speedway June 9th, 2012
- Iowa Speedway June 16th, 2012
- Iowa Speedway June 17th, 2012
- Chicagoland Speedway June 30th, 2012 ??
- Streets of Toronto, Canada July 8th, 2012
- Edmonton City Centre Airport July 22nd, 2012
- New Hampshire Motor Speedway August 5th, 2012
- Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wis August 19th, 2012 ??
- Infineon Raceway August 26th, 2012
- Streets of Baltimore, Maryland September 2nd, 2012
- Streets of Porto Alegre, Brazil September 16th, 2o12
- Kentucky Speedway October 6th, 2012
- Auto Club Speedway October 14th, 2012 ??
- Las Vegas Street Circuit October 20th, 2012 ??
- Las Vegas Motor Speedway October 21st, 2012
So its about 15 confirmed races with 7 to 8 question marks.
Potential 2012 IndyCar Entrant List:
Full Time Entries
2. Oriol Servia-Newman Haas Racing- CDW/Telemundo
3. Helio Castroneves- Team Penske- Shell/Pennzoil/PPG/Guidepoint Systems/ IZOD/ AAA
4. JR Hildebrand-Panther Racing- National Guard
5. Takuma Sato- Lotus KV Racing Technology- Lotus Cars
6. Ryan Briscoe- Team Penske- PPG/Guidepoint Systems/ Penske Truck Rental/Verizon
8. Paul Tracy- Dragon Racing/Sam Schmidt Motorsports- Ralph’s
9. Scott Dixon- Ganassi Racing- Target
10. Dario Franchitti- Ganassi Racing- Target/Kelloggs
12. Will Power- Verizon Team Penske- Verizon Wireless
14. Vitor Meira- Foyt Racing- ABC Supply Co.
17. Raphael Matos- AFS Racing- Automatic Fire Sprinklers
18. James Jakes- Dale Coyne Racing- Orlando/Acorn Starlifts
19. Sebestian Bourdais- Dale Coyne Racing- Boy Scouts of America
22. Justin Wilson- Dreyer& Reinbold Racing- Z Line Designs
24. Ana Beatriz- Dreyer& Reinbold Racing- Blazemaster
26. Marco Andretti- Andretti Autosport- Venom Energy Drink
27. Mike Conway- Andretti Autosport- Go Daddy/ Window World Cares
28. Ryan Hunter Reay- Andretti Autosport- DHL/Sun Drop
30. Bertrand Baguette- Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing- RACB/ASPRIA
34. Sebastian Saavedra- Conquest Racing- Bogota
38. Graham Rahal- Ganassi/Prudhomme Racing- Service Central
59. EJ Viso- Lotus KV Racing Technology- Lotus Cars/ PDVSA
77. Alex Tagliani- Sam Schmidt Motorsports- Bowers& Wilkins at Mangolia
78. Simona de Silvestro- HVM Racing- Entergy/Purdue University
82. Tony Kanaan- Lotus KV Racing Technology- Geico/Lotus/ Itipava
83. Charlie Kimball- Ganassi/Prudhomme Racing- Novo Nordisk
99. Wade Cunningham- Sam Schmidt Motorsports- Hebalife
06. James Hinchcliffe- Newman Haas Racing- Sprotts Inc
Part Time Entries
36. Pippa Mann- Conquest Racing- Conquest Racing
67. Ed Carpenter- Sarah Fisher Racing- Dollar General
79. Robert Doornbos- HVM Racing- TDS
88. Jay Howard- Sam Schmidt Motorsports/Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing- Service Central
98. Dan Wheldon- Bryan Herta Autosport- William and Rast
07. Tomas Sheckter- SH Racing- Redline Energy Drink
One- Off Entries
7. Danica Patrick- Andretti Autosport- Go Daddy
41. Bruno Junquiera- Foyt Racing- ABC Supply Co.
44. Buddy Rice- Panther Racing- Fuzzy’s/Tri West
Possible Entries
11. Davey Hamilton- Kingdom Racing- HP
16. Simon Pagenuad- Highcroft Racing- Muscle Milk
20. Scott Speed- Dragon Racing/Sam Schmidt Motorsports- Fuzzy Vodka
33. JK Vernay- FAZZT Race Team- FAZZT
40. Dan Clarke- Walker Racing- Flip n Bags
43. John Andretti- Richard Petty Motorsports/Andretti Autosport- Window World
48. Bryan Clauson- Tony Stewart Racing- Burger King
50. Johnathan Summerton- Walker Racing- Monster Energy
68. Mario Moraes- de Ferran Motorsports- XM Radio
69. John Edwards- Wayne Taylor Racing- Suntrust
84. Lucas di Grassi- Fittapaldi Racing- Petrobras/Red Bull
89. Ho Pin Tung- China Racing- Rock Revelution
08. Giorgio Pantano- Newman Haas Racing- Respol Fat Burner
Future Entries
66. Alexander Rossi- Dan Prudhomme Snake Racing-SKOAL
70. Stefan Wilson- Robby Gordon Motorsports- Speed Energy
73. Conor Daly- AFS Racing- Cytomax
What the Road to Indy Program Really Means for the Series:
The Road to Indy program is one like no other. The ladder steps into the IZOD Indy Car Series. Here are the steps of the series.
- Start in USF2000 National Championship.(If you win the championship you get a schloarship to the Star Mazda Series.
Next is Star Mazda Series it is a little step in the running to the Firestone Indy Lights. (If you win the title you get a scholarship also too.)
Next is the Firestone Indy Lights where you are almost into the Indy Car Series. They run good cars and the drivers almost aren’t really guranteed of getting a ride.
Now to the schedules of these series and my thoughts on them.
USF2000
- Sebring International Raceway
- Sebring International Raceway
- Streets of Saint Petersburg
- Streets of Saint Petersburg
- O’Reilly Raceway Park
- Milwaukee Mile
- Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
- Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
- Road America
- Road America
- Streets of Baltimore
- Streets of Baltimore
Star Mazda Championship Series
- Streets of Saint Petersburg
- Barber Park
- O’Reilly Raceway Park
- Milwaukee Mile
- Iowa Speedway
- Mosport
- Trois-Riveres
- Trois-Riveres
- Infineon Raceway
- Streets of Baltimore
- Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca
Firestone Indy Lights
- Streets of Saint Petersburg
- Barber Park
- Indianapolis
- Milkwaukee
- Iowa
- Toronto
- Trois-Riveres
- New Hampshire
- Streets of Baltimore
- Kentucky Speedway
- TBA
I think that the USF2000 schedule is good but not great I mean only two ovals!! ORP and the Mile. The mile is good but ORP is to short. Also get rid of the doubleheaders at Mid-Ohio and Baltimore. Instead at Iowa and Loudon.
I think the Star Mazda schedule is getting just a smidge better because now 3 OVALS (YAY THAT IS AN UPGRADE!!! NOT REALLY) Get rid of Barber, Baltimore, Trois Riveres, and Infineon. They all suck. Add in Portland,Cleveland, Sebring, Road America etc instead.
The Firestone Indy Lights schedule is about as good as it could get for right now.
International IndyCar Franchises:
This article is going to be about the Indy Car Series starting International Franchises and where to race. It should be broken up into 3 divisions
- Europe
- South America
- Asia/Australia
Why?? because all of these areas of the world want Indy Car but it would be given at crappy times like Motegi. Here are some tracks for the series
Europe
Rockingham
Silverstone
Domington Park
Brands Hatch
Hockenheimring
Nurburgring
Euro Speedway
Assen
Spa Francorchamps
Zolder
Monza
Circuit de Valencia
Jerez
Catalunya
South America
Interlagos
Streets of Sao Paulo
Curtiba
Rio de Janeiro road course and oval
Fundidora Park
Mexico City
Buenos Aires
Asia/Australia
Beijing Street Circuit
Korea International Circuit
Marina Bay Street Circuit
Surfers Paradise
Albert Park
Suzuka
Fuji
Motegi
Sepang
Yas Marina
I believe these all good tracks for the IIICS because it is a diverse series if they would go to it.
The Potential Schedule for IndyCar:
5 Long Ovals
Chicagoland
Kansas
Kentucky
Michigan
Texas
5 Short Ovals
Iowa
Loudon
Milwaukee
Phoenix
Richmond
5 Road Courses
Miller
Portland
Road Atlanta
VIR
Watkins Glen
5 Street Courses
Cleveland
Edmonton
Long Beach
St. Petersburg
Toronto
5 Special Races
Indy
Laguna Seca
Road America
California
Sebring
Okay that wraps up my old archive section. Hope you enjoy some of these select memories from Triple League Racing.
Posted by Kent Mueller 
