IndyCar officials "haven't commented on possible replacements" for the canceled Labor Day weekend race in Boston, but it "seems no clear Plan B exists," according to Curt Cavin of the INDIANAPOLIS STAR. A new street-circuit race in Providence "figures to take too long to prepare" and the calendar for Watkins Glen Int'l "is booked." Sonoma Raceway also "isn't interested in having another event" in the S.F. market. One of IndyCar's first calls after canceling in Boston was to WGI President Michael Printup, as he is "known to be one of IndyCar's biggest fans." But he told IndyCar President of Competition & Operations Jay Frye the track's schedule "wouldn't permit an event on such short notice." Sonoma Raceway President & GM Steve Page also said that he "understands IndyCar's predicament, and the track's staff is willing to do almost anything to grow U.S. open-wheel racing." But he said that "placing a race 150 miles away at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca doesn't make sense due to the financial fragility of Sonoma's season-ending event Sept. 16-18." IndyCar's season as it stands now "has 15 races, its fewest" since '12. Cavin notes more "problematic is that there are only two races after July 31 and geographically there is only one event east of Toronto (that's Pocono Raceway on Aug. 21)" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 5/4).
ON THE FLIP SIDE: In Boston, Joan Vennochi writes the canceled race is "good for Boston." The proposal's "unraveling says little about the willingness of Bostonians to embrace change and fun." It "says everything about the need for skilled promoters who know how to organize, market, and underwrite such a venture." Costs for the event were a "big problem," and attendance was "based on optimistic projections that were not backed up by early ticket sales." Internal turmoil "also undercut IndyCar’s marketing ability." The promoters "just didn’t have their act together" (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/4).
