Milwaukee competing with RA and Chicagoland for 2014 Schedule

[Mearsfan53081]

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/218632891.html

[GerryK]

Don't go messn' wit the Baltimore date!!!!!!!!!

[Nigel Red5]

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/218632891.html

Milwaukee early June where it is, Road America late july/early august where it used to be (IMHO, brickyard weekend works great), Chicagoland early/mid september t oaddress the lack of late season ovals.
Each race more than a month apart, OVAL/RC/Oval so the oval crowd in neighboring markets are split enough to get a crowd at both races, and Road America would have about a 60 day window after milwaukee.

Seems like the mile could be the odd man out though. A much desired road course and a bigger market oval race> Milwaukee History?

Where's the Competetion

[Nigel Red5]

Don't go messn' wit the Baltimore date!!!!!!!!!

I agree, but the stadium authority already has a contract for the 2014 ohio state, USNA football game on labor day weekend at M&T next year, and there's no way you can have a race and a 75,000 sell out football crowd in that area at the same time. Teh race will be moved for at least 14, but the are also issues for '15 as well. I'd wager Baltimore ends up the week before Sonoma's current date. I can't see them moving the GP to LATER as it really presents problems with the Ravens and Orioles schedules.

Baltimore also does not have a contract for the race next year. The promoter and Baltimore have a deal, but they have to be on the schedule, which I can't fathom they won't be able to strike a deal for 14. Teh teams and drivers seem to love the event and the venue.

[Grizzlor]

Apparently Mark Miles doesn't think cheese country has enough fans for more than one race.

[Nigel Red5]

Recent history would seem to back that up unfortunately. I still think you have to find out, and as much as I love milwaukee, it's a flat travesty to have an open wheel racing series that does not visit what is still IMHO the best Road course in North America.

[dwaldrep51]

Chicagoland early/mid september t oaddress the lack of late season ovals.

That is a great time to have a race at Chicagoland, and that is probably why three little-known NASCAR series' runs there in mid-September.

[gnome]

Apparently Mark Miles doesn't think cheese country has enough fans for more than one race.

he may not think so now, but both of those were on the schedule for many a year

[Z28]

As to 'the Baltimore date' they are talking about the ARCA race at Milwaukee, I don't think the threat is real or the fear is warranted.

I read that same article somewhere else yesterday and didn't take it as the here are three choices, and only one is possible. All three are considered desirable by the fans and series and could probably find spots on the schedule if they all clear the same hurdles, getting an acceptable sanctioning fee and a title sponsor. With both of those any and all of them could make the events work without gigantic crowds that everyone knows won't be there. At present I doubt any of the three have one or both in place.


Michael's group has been consistent in saying they need a title sponsor and are actively seeking one. If they have had a lower sanctioning fee for two years and it is going up they need that sponsor more than ever because it's not like attendance is going to skyrocket. So the Mile, as much as I want it to continue, is in question.

Most at Road America must need throat lozenges considering how much they have 'talked' to INDYCAR. It's been made clear they can't make it work at the old price and they need a title sponsor that as yet doesn't exist.

Chicagoland has heard loud and clear from fans that they want an INDYCAR race to return and acknowledged same. They have several dates that would work, they have lights which adds to the possibilities but it's not a wide open proposition. With all the major companies based in Chicago I'm sure they can get a title sponsor, the issues come down to the sanctioning fee and the date.


As for Baltimore, I would bank on hearing that the crowds were great this year and the city was happy and on and on. But if the promoters putting up the money don't say they're close to making money and the same old tune, they need a title sponsor, why think they will want to continue to lose money so INDYCAR has a an event?

It's mostly on INDYCAR to decide where it wants to go for the long term and figure out a way to get there and build. Until they realize that no venue is going to roll in the profits instantly and they need to work with promoters to allow an event to gain a foothold we're going to be back at the musical chairs schedule that's a path to failure.

[cheeseczar]

Nice to know there is some murmering about Chicagoland!

[editor]

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/218632891.html

Dave Kallman never categorically states that Milwaukee is competing against Elkhart and Chicagoland. He uses the word "probably" and does so without attribution.

[Grizzlor]

The Andretti Promotions guy, forgot his name, said there was "some" competition, but his major concern was sponsorship. I DO think that Miles isn't going to give MW a ton of time to decide, because he may try for Chicagoland as a backup.

[Mearsfan53081]

Dave Kallman never categorically states that Milwaukee is competing against Elkhart and Chicagoland. He uses the word "probably" and does so without attribution.

Please note, it is a Blog, not an article.

[editor]

Please note, it is a Blog, not an article.

What does that matter? The blog is not in question. The conclusion expressed in Post Number 1 is. That conclusion is not factually supported by what was written.

[sejarzo]

Chicagoland has heard loud and clear from fans that they want an INDYCAR race to return and acknowledged same. They have several dates that would work, they have lights which adds to the possibilities but it's not a wide open proposition. With all the major companies based in Chicago I'm sure they can get a title sponsor, the issues come down to the sanctioning fee and the date.

Which is why Chicagoland is the perfect venue to try the single-day event format (or something close to that.) Teams could head up mid-day Friday, unload, even run a short--and closed if need be, to cut costs for the track?--night practice under the lights to work on race set-ups, then run IICS and Lights practice/quals/races on Saturday. They'd get home early Sunday AM but still have a short overall weekend.