Hulman & Co. CEO Mark Miles yesterday at IndyCar media day said that "focusing on a schedule of 'about 20 races' positioned between early February and Labor Day would be in IndyCar's best interest if the open wheel series is to build off what he called 'nothing short of a fantastic year'" in '14, according to Brant James of USA TODAY. Miles: "Hopefully less and less conflicted scheduling with NASCAR." Miles added that for that matter, less conflicting scheduling "with the NFL and college football" would be beneficial. IndyCar "contested an 18-race schedule -- fleshed out by three doubleheaders -- last season and was set for a 17-race slate in 2015 before the March 8 opener in Brasilia, Brazil, was cancelled by promoter and broadcaster Band TV because of political sniping between the national and local governments." Miles said that a seven-month season, "with likely international events in February and North American venues filling out the schedule thereafter would be optimal for the series." Miles: "The point I would make about the schedule, obviously it's focused on television, among other things. We know from looking at past years that whatever our rating is pre-Labor Day, it goes down by 30 percent after. ... We think there's a better window for us." Drivers agreed that there is a "need to market the sport but were split on the schedule window and volume." Driver Ryan Hunter-Reay: "I don't think we necessarily need 20 races. … But disappearing for such a long offseason is also not a good deal." Meanwhile, Miles said series officials hope to "reverse an aging trend and get younger." Miles said that the series also "is discussing changes to its current television package with ABC, ESPN and NBC Sports Network to press for continuity -- noting the benefit of ABC handling the entire month of May" (USA TODAY, 2/18).
FITTER, HAPPIER: SPORTSNET.ca's Todd Lewis conducted a Q&A with Miles "about a number of issues and things to look for this season." Miles said of some of the things fans have to look forward to, "We’re going to be in New Orleans for the first time and there’s been some testing down there. I had a chance to talk to some of the drivers that have tested and they’re really stoked about it. ... We’re really happy about the growth in our audience. The television growth has been terrific in Canada and in the States, which is kind of our core markets and the social and digital growth has been outstanding." Miles said of where he sees further momentum being built in the series, "I have to confess that it’s hard for us not to peek ahead a year to 2016 and as you know is the 100th Indianapolis 500 mile race and we see that as a chance to re-establish our roots internationally." He said of his frustration with how the race in Brazil was canceled, "We were not pleased at all, we were angry. The race for fans was already clearly established as a success; all the suites and hospitality were sold; ticket sales were great; the title sponsor presenting; everything was in place." Miles said of speculation on the financial health and stability of IndyCar, "My shorter answer to that question or that assertion is rubbish. Wherever it came from it came from people that don’t know our economics, we’re in really good shape" (SPORTSNET.ca, 2/17).
