Honestly, that part does not bother me. Contrary to the title of this blog, I enjoy a well-designed, well-raced street or road circuit. I think it adds another dimension to racing and with a solid balance, helps to identify the best driver in the series.
That being said, I am disappointed that the IndyCar Series has not been able to build on last year's momentum to add more races to the 2010 schedule. While it was the decision of Milwaukee and Richmond not to seek contracts with the series for 2010 (and it appeared that Milwaukee tried very hard, but their change in ownership happened too late), it's unfortunate that neither could be replaced with a short oval.
Whatever course comes to Brazil, along with Barber Motorsports Park, will definitely add to the series, but I think they would have helped make the IndyCar Series even stronger as part of a 17-20 schedule.
So, looking at a few tracks around America and the current 2010 Indycar schedule, here is how I would try to schedule for the future (my additions are italicized and bold):
- Sunday, March 13 - Brazil (location TBA)
- Sunday, March 27 - Streets of St. Petersburg, Fla.
- Sunday, April 10 - Barber Motorsports Park
- Sunday, April 17 - Streets of Long Beach, Calif.
- Sunday, April 24 - New Hampshire (a possible logistical nightmare, going from Long Beach to NH; NHMS has NASCAR dates on last weekend of June and Sept. 20 - so I can appreciate Terry Angstadt's dilemma here)
- Saturday, April 30 - Kansas Speedway
- Sunday, May 29 - Indianapolis Motor Speedway
- Sunday, June 5 - Milwaukee (traditional date after the 500)
- Saturday, June 11 - Texas Motor Speedway
- Sunday, June 19 - Iowa Speedway
- Sunday, July 3 - Watkins Glen International
- Sunday, July 17 - Streets of Toronto
- Sunday, July 24 - Edmonton City Centre Airport
- Sunday, August 7 - Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
- Sunday, August 21 - Infineon Raceway
- Saturday, August 27 - Chicagoland Speedway
- Labor Day Weekend - Kentucky Speedway
- Saturday, September 17 - Twin Ring Motegi
- Saturday, September 24 - Las Vegas (an easy stop on the way back from Japan; paired with Truck Series event; can go at night if too hot during the day)
- Saturday, October 1 - Homestead-Miami Speedway
- Sunday, March 13 - Brazil (location TBA)
- Sunday, March 27 - Streets of St. Petersburg, Fla.
- Sunday, April 10 - Barber Motorsports Park
- Sunday, April 17 - Streets of Long Beach, Calif.
- Saturday, April 30 - Kansas Speedway
- Sunday, May 29 - Indianapolis Motor Speedway
- Sunday, June 5 - New Hampshire (would put 3 weeks between IndyCar, NASCAR dates - possibly feasible)
- Saturday, June 11 - Texas Motor Speedway
- Sunday, June 19 - Milwaukee (pushed back from traditional date/time but still in heart of oval schedule)
- Sunday, June 26 - Iowa Speedway (new date, but just a week later)
- Sunday, July 3 - Watkins Glen International
- Sunday, July 17 - Streets of Toronto
- Sunday, July 24 - Edmonton City Centre Airport
- Sunday, August 7 - Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
- Sunday, August 21 - Infineon Raceway
- Saturday, August 27 - Chicagoland Speedway
- Labor Day Weekend - Kentucky Speedway
- Saturday, September 17 - Twin Ring Motegi
- Saturday, September 24 - Las Vegas (an easy stop on the way back from Japan; paired with Truck Series event; can go at night if too hot during the day)
- Saturday, October 1 - Homestead-Miami Speedway
It would add major markets in New England and Las Vegas and have 10 ovals and 9 street/road courses. Of the two versions presented, I like version number two - I think it actually functions pretty well. And since Milwaukee will not be on the 2010 schedule, the IndyCar Series has some leverage for scheduling its date down the road. Hopefully, they can continue to build, making some additions and spur the continued growth of the series.
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