Attendance issues have plagued the three races held at ISM Raceway since '16GETTY IMAGES
ISM Raceway will not come back to the IndyCar schedule in ’19 after a three-year return. Attendance issues have plagued the three races since '16, leading the sides to agree to drop their association for now. The move will now open up a slot on the schedule that could be filled by another ISC track. ISM Raceway President Bryan Sperber in his prepared statements indicated that talks are now taking place on whether the race could now shift to another ISC venue, though IndyCar CEO Mark Miles is declining comment on that topic. Possible candidates that have been mentioned include Richmond Raceway and Homestead Miami Speedway. ISC-owned Watkins Glen Int'l was dropped from the IndyCar schedule last year, but it is not an option here, as track President Michael Printup said that it will not look at an IndyCar return until at least ’20 (Adam Stern, Staff Writer). MOTORSPORT.com's David Malsher wrote Phoenix had two "dull races" and a sparse crowd for the other (MOTORSPORT.com, 6/22). In Indianapolis, Jim Ayello wrote the announcement "should come as no surprise" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 6/23). Ayello wrote under the header, "6 Tracks That Could Replace Phoenix On IndyCar Schedule In 2019" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 6/24).
ON THE ROAD AGAIN: In Milwaukee, Dave Kallmann reports IndyCar will return to Road America through '21, but "don't expect a second date in Wisconsin again." Road America President & GM George Bruggenthies "announced a three-year extension" yesterday before the Kohler Grand Prix, and afterward "described the weekend as 'perfect' with great weather, a huge crowd and good news about the future." Bruggenthies then "quashed the idea of the series ever going back" to the Milwaukee Mile, at least with Road America's involvement. Bruggenthies said, "It'd be impossible. Do you know what kind of investment you've got to do at the Mile to support an IndyCar Series (race)? I think it's at least 15 to 20 million (dollars) to get up to standards. I don't think it's going to happen there." Road America "does not announce attendance." And though Bruggenthies said that he will not see final numbers for weeks, he characterized yesterday's crowd as "larger than last year's and close to" that of '16. IndyCar "returned three seasons ago after eight years away" from the track. That crowd was "estimated at more than 50,000." Next year's race will hold approximately the same date, although Bruggenthies said that it "could shift by a week to avoid a conflict" with the 24 Hours of Le Mans. No title sponsor "is in place yet." The Sheboygan, Wisc.-based Kohler Co. "backed the first three races" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 6/25). The STAR's Ayello noted Road America is a "favorite among many of the series' drivers" (INDYSTAR.com, 6/24).
