There's usually not much enthusiasm at My Name Is IRL for more road courses, but this one would be a little different.
By GODWIN KELLY
MOTORSPORTS EDITOR
DAYTONA BEACH -- Daytona International Speedway is tweaking its road course apparently to satisfy the needs and requests of various sanctioning bodies, including the Indy Racing League, which use the track for testing and racing.
Speedway spokesman David Talley said the improvements and upgrades were being made to satisfy all of Daytona's road-course customers, a roster that includes Grand-Am and American Motorcycle Association.
As for the IRL, Talley said, "They are going to let us know by Sept. 1 what their plans are. We hope they come back. We had a great time with them the first time. We won't know that until September." (MORE from Daytona Beach News-Journal)
If we have to let them play on our field ... the least they could do ...
Disagree. That track is garbage and it would defile the IRL and their machinery to run on it. That place has all kinds of bumps and rough pavement that would be a disaster on open wheel cars. I'm ashamed the AMA keeps going back, especially when the track owners and operators have such a general disdain for us. Barber or Road Atlanta for another South Eastern date would be way more appropriate. Even Atlanta Motor Speedway would be the crock that is Daytona.
I'm only looking at this from two points. First, the drivers seemed excited about driving there last winter so I can't think it's THAT bad of a track.
Second it's Daytona, and like running F1 or MotoGP on the road course at IMS it's still the location that counts. If they can manage an ICS race as part of the SpeedWeeks festivities then it can't be a bad thing.
The only question I have about the whole deal is if another race in Florida is necessary. I mean maybe they could market them with a special three-race prize (the Orange Triple?) but is having three races in Florida within a month financially viable?
Why not phoenix instead?
Another road race, at Daytona. Pffft. That'll be a TV ratings bonanza!!
I think its time we added a nickname and a pic to the right column for Ryan Hunter-Stingreay and removed Spock, felt I had to offer some suggestion for a nickname.