Comments on: It’s a Good Schedule…

By: peterg

peterg — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 10:20:02 +0000

Drop Australia! Tony George at his genius best.

The Surfer’s race has been run since 1991, has a title sponsor, attendance figures that put to shame every venue on the calandar (excluding the 500 & LB), keeps Honda happy & a contracted TV package etc………& the best TG can come up with is that he does not want the last race of the series to be outside the U.S.

By: sciguy

sciguy — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 03:52:08 +0000

The only successful race in SoCal in any series? Ummm…the NHRA has opened and it’s seasons in Pomona to packed stands for 47 years-the beginning. Because of the popularity, the also started closing the season in Pomona 24 years ago. Likewise, Supercross visits Anaheim 3 times and San Diego once every year, consistently selling out all 4 stops. Like the NHRA, Anaheim has been around since the beginning and has remained a hub. So, when you “any series” I guess you mean NASCAR and CART/Champ Car.

By: Skip-SC

Skip-SC — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 17:12:44 +0000

Pressdog, I respect your opinion, but I disagree about Motegi. It offers the one chance to not be going against loads of football once that season has started. With its late night Friday live start, it could be the start to a long day of football. Additionally, the weather in the early Spring there has been horrible, and the new date should be better.

Further, with championship implications, it might behoove the “House of Mouse” to put the race live on ESPN, without the conflict of other programming. (They can always do a rebroadcast during Sunday morning for ESPN2 or Classic.)

I do agree that Vegas should be in there somewhere; It’s just too good a promotional opportunity to miss, but maybe another year.

By: Grizlor

Grizlor — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 02:18:54 +0000

We keep hearing about existing contracts, and honestly I’m not sure what that means. Tracks they’d like to get rid of, or tracks locked in a date? Sonoma is a horrible track, for any series, and I’d much rather watch Portland on TV, site of some of the best CART races ever. Lanigan seemed to indicate that his tracks were still under consideration, but that prior contracts got in the way. SMI’s people gave every reason from too many races for the teams, to the IRL wanting to use the LVMS parking lot, to whatever.

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 23:52:32 +0000

I disagree with you on Homestead. It may not be the biggest crowd but I have been to the last 2 races their and they were awesome. Great crowds and great atmosphere. But the new schedule is a huge step in the right direction, in 2010 will be even better. Great job by the series for the fine work they are doing.

By: pressdog

pressdog — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:56:51 +0000

Couple things — I’m with you, DITCH Snorenoma as soon as contractually possible and replace with an oval. Toss the Glen for another street race, maybe Cleveland. I hadn’t thought about the switch easing da Bears conflict in Chicagoland until the Mutt mentioned it. Good point. Ending at Homestead is crazy ass. What if the title is locked up after the race before the last race, which often happens. That means someone clinches it in — Motegi. Even though I know it’s impossible, I’d love to see Motegi get the bag and be replaced with a U.S. oval, because it’s a super boring race. Finally, all these street/road races won’t do anything for ratings which won’t do anything for the league’s effort to have every race televised on something better than The Ocho in 2010.

By: The American Mutt

The American Mutt — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:24:05 +0000

I’m thinking Homestead and Chicago may be a result of ISC. Both were contracted to be season opener/closer. They don’t want to lose Chicago, can’t go there in Bears season, so I htink this is the result. Personally I wonder (tin foil hat on) if ISC doesn’t want a downer season finale. This is also where Napcar finishes–you think people are going to show after the “chase”….

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:07:50 +0000

Where’s Australia?

By: Robert

Robert — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 17:53:49 +0000

From a team stand point it is an easier schedule- they ovals are together, the road/streets are together. From looking at a map it makes a little more sense. Now the teams and drivers (in theory) can go from one race to the next market, do some hype, and them race. However, before anyone blasts me, personally I think the schedule stinks and there is room for one more oval between the Sept 19 Japan race and the October 11 Miami empty race. Run at Vegas that week, run at California that week, I don’t care- just run a race.