Apron is a go per Fryer

[TimmyZ1]

Jenna Fryer @JennaFryer6m
Indiana Motorsports Commission approves preliminary plans by Hulman & Company to invest state funds on infrastructure upgrades @IMS

Jenna Fryer @JennaFryer5m
Among planned enhancements @IMS are "Apron for NASCAR, improved seating, restrooms, video screens."

Expand

[texacostar05]

Sounds good but my only thought is they better not do this for NASCAR but then go and put rumble strips or something that keeps the apron off limits for the 500. I dont think they will but if history proves anything its that in a lot of instances they take a good thing and flush it down the toilet.

[turbomattk]

-TF

[texacostar05]

Looks like I called it unfortunately

per the release

"The apron only will be used for NASCAR racing and will cost less than $1 million."

[Z28]

My crystal ball sees them paving the apron after the 500 and during September there will be some tire test or aero kit excuse to have some teams come and test. At first some cones will be in place to represent the 'OW edge of the track' but some imaginary complaints about the cones will cause them to be removed and the testing will conclude using the apron to see how it works. If the speeds increase it will stay for the 2015 500. Before that one would hope the engineering experts at INDYCAR and IMS can do some computer simulation on the angles of impact.

[dwaldrep51]

Looks like I called it unfortunately

per the release

"The apron only will be used for NASCAR racing and will cost less than $1 million."

As dumb as it is to make an apron for only NASCAR to use, the entertainment value from the meltdown that it is going to cause on here is going to be worth a lot more than the $1-million spent!

[TimmyZ1]

Bob Pockrass @bobpockrass9m
IMS capital improvement plan: No lights. "Economic studies showed this $20M investment did not provide the best return for taxpayers."

Expand

Bob Pockrass @bobpockrass7m
Among items in IMS improvement plan: Addition of apron in the four turns of the IMS oval to be used for #NASCAR races, enhancing competition


Article from IMS

http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway...upgrade-plans/

[frif20]

You know what, I'm ok with replacing the 90s bigscreen tv technology with some hi-def screens and PLEASE upgraded restroom facilities are WAY overdue.

[TimmyZ1]

nascarcasm @nascarcasm1m
Lights were NEVER gonna happen @IMS. Night races would require Yellowshirts to be out of assisted-living facilities WAY past canasta hour.

Expand

[gottastayfly]

everybody panic!

[dwaldrep51]

PLEASE upgraded restroom facilities are WAY overdue.

Jenna Fryer @JennaFryer5m
Among planned enhancements @IMS are "Apron for NASCAR, improved seating, restrooms, video screens."

.

[FTHurley]

nascarcasm @nascarcasm1m
Lights were NEVER gonna happen @IMS. Night races would require Yellowshirts to be out of assisted-living facilities WAY past canasta hour.

Expand

Alright, that's actually pretty funny.

[Indy-hp]

When was the old apron removed?

What has happened to change the reason why the old apron was removed?

[Mr. Bean]

My crystal ball sees them paving the apron after the 500 and during September there will be some tire test or aero kit excuse to have some teams come and test. At first some cones will be in place to represent the 'OW edge of the track' but some imaginary complaints about the cones will cause them to be removed and the testing will conclude using the apron to see how it works. If the speeds increase it will stay for the 2015 500. Before that one would hope the engineering experts at INDYCAR and IMS can do some computer simulation on the angles of impact.

No, no, no, you got it all wrong. My crystal ball says different. They will make a rule that IndyCar cannot use the apron all month during practice and qualifying to cut the cost of cars crashing. The less they use it, the safer the month will go. They will allow it for carb day and the race though. But on carb day, they will discover that there is a massive bump in the apron in T1 that was not visible or felt by the pace car and had no effect on Nascar during their test. They will diamond grind if after carb day it as much as they can, but since they cannot guarantee that it is safe, no one will be allowed to use it on raceday. Nascar will have no issue with it since the speeds are slower. Plans to make the apron usable for IndyCars in 2015 will be under consideration, but depend on the annual budget.

Trackforum will explode. The 500 will be domed.

[dalz]

When was the old apron removed?

What has happened to change the reason why the old apron was removed?

Oh man...

1993. In a huge blunder, the 1989 repave made the apron banked and smooth and subsequently the de facto racetrack. Many didn't like it. Safety (more direct angle into wall), not intended to be the racetrack.

I don't mind as long as the stupid thing is FLAT! Use it at the risk of upsetting the car, like pre-'89. I don't see how they will safely keep Indycars from using it.