2009 IndyCar Series schedule

[LittleAlguy]

http://www.indycar.com/schedule/images/09schedule-map.jpg


My thoughts:


When I first heard about it, I was a bit underwhelmed. I remembered back when unification first came out that they wanted '09 to be more of a "clean slate". While I realized that there were some commitments for next year, I did hope that more changes could be made as far as both ovals and road/street courses. After some time to reflect, I realized that it doesn't look all that bad. Yeah, I'd love to have seen some of the venues replaced or have new ones added but I'll take it. If they are able to get Surfers Paradise paired with Motegi, it should be another bonus. Obviously, other things need to be worked on in the short- and long-term for the sport but this schedule is not a bad starting point.



Thoughts?

[ÜberDoober]

It's not too bad. I hope they realize and carry on the traditions of Champ Car at Long Beach. It looks like they're also dragging out the Indy 500 a whole month again and tradition aside in this case, that really needs to be shortened up.

I'd be nice to see Cleveland in there somewhere but I realize that's probably not going to happen. The six ovals in a row could have been broken up by a road course but some of those events this year weren't too bad. Some were disasters. :)

Not that they need another oval, but if the series stays strong and continues to gain momemtum, I'd like to see them back in Phoenix so I could go watch. http://www.dooberville.com/forums/showthread.php?t=527 There's some good history here and I've seen 2 pre-split and 3 post split races at PIR. Miller Motorsports Park in Utah would be a good venue too.

[LittleAlguy]

I'd love to see them back at Phoenix (and Michigan) as well as Road America, Cleveland, and Portland. If they get a race at NHIS and Gappens can make it work as well as he says he could as far as crowds, take it. They should put on a decent show there if they could get there in 2010.

Whatever the case may be, they better make sure that the racing is spectacular and they get lots of people to watch and keep on coming back.

[ÜberDoober]

For the link clicking impaired!

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g223/EKron/2009IndycarSchedule.jpg

I'll see if we can sticky this? Next year when I type Toronto instead of Edmonton, I won't look so stoopid. :)

[LittleAlguy]

I'm hoping to go to one of the races next year, most likely Toronto. If I can afford it, I'd love to do a double with the Glen or if not, do Indy. Regardless, I am going to a race barring something drastic.

[LittleAlguy]

They're still talking with Surfer's about getting the event for next year.

According to IndyCar Magazine (http://cde.cerosmedia.com/1O48da36c06ca24911.cde , page 8-9), ABC will air Indy, Milwaukee, Iowa, Watkins Glen and Toronto.

[LittleAlguy]

No Surfers race in the near future for IndyCar. A1GP will take its place for the next few years.

[LittleAlguy]

Forgot to add this sooner:

No Belle Isle race. Wasn't the biggest fan of that track but to lose any race do to economic difficulties is far from the best. I hope there's a replacement but I see it as 80-20 against it. Just a guess. I know Barber has a lot of interest to get on soon. From what I can tell, I think it would only be a slight improvement as far as racing over Belle Isle. Not that they don't do this anyway, but there seemed to be quite a bit of diving to pull off passes. Of course, the margin of error is smaller and the braking distances are shorter which would make passing more difficult. Portland and Road America would be nice replacements but like Barber or other venues, I question how viable it'd be to add them so late. Then again, compared to last year, a January decision would seem like two years in advance.

I just hope this is the last drop.