Let's ponder what venues appear possible for 2013. More oval races seem to be wanted by a fair share of the fans and with the races we have seen so far in 2012, who can blame them, especially with the decrease in downforce. When the AJ Foyt Oval and Mario Andretti Road Course Championships were created, many felt a 50-50 split of the races should make up the overall schedule but that has yet to happen. We are currently at 10 road/street course events and 5 oval. With the most recent China situation and the search for a "plan B," a few tracks were interested in taking over the vacated date but ultimately, the series felt it would be better to not pursue a new venue with a very short time for promotion. With that said, these tracks are still in play for 2013 and many have a past history with American Open-Wheel racing. We already know Houston will be added to the 2013 schedule but will any other venues join the Texas street race set for that October?
Possible Tracks:
Road America (Traditional Date- Mid/Late August): Majority wanted to see Road America be the "plan B" and IndyCar to join the American Le Mans Series in August but it was not to be. One has to feel that with the amount of fans and drivers who want this event to happen that it is inevitable. Many fear that the inclusion of Road America would hurt the Milwaukee race, but both races coexisted for many years with the Mile in June and Elkhart Lake in August. I think Road America will be added to the 2013 schedule.
Phoenix (Traditional Date- March/Early April): A return to Phoenix would be highly welcomed, especially if the Copper World Classic returns. Partnering Phoenix as a back-to-back with Long Beach makes the most sense and if the season starts in Early March, Phoenix could easily slide into an early April date, especially since the NASCAR weekend was moved up to the second race of their season. There were some talks of Phoenix being "plan B" and added after Fontana. I think we will see Phoenix in 2013.
Michigan (Traditional Date- Late July/Early August): Another track that was interested in being "plan B" and become the season finale. Track president Roger Curtis was a little disappointed that IndyCar did not select Michigan to be "plan B" but IndyCar is under pressure to put on a good event, with a great crowd and can not afford to have a season finale that does not look respectable or does not turn a profit. I would love to see Michigan added but the date seems to be an issue. The NASCAR races are mid-June and mid-August and those dates haven't changed since CART and/or the IRL ran their race in the middle but what has changed is the economy. The two NASCAR races do not sell out and an IndyCar race in the middle of them could split the fan base once more and you could be left with three dismally attended events. From 1973-1986, USAC or CART had two races at Michigan and the second was in mid-September. Two things with that date is the weather and IndyCar going up against the NFL season. Unless the race is on ABC, IndyCar has an extremely slim shot of good ratings on a Sunday. Could a Saturday race work? Maybe, but college football is just as popular as the NFL and if Michigan or Michigan State is playing then forget anyone showing up. I see Michigan as a possible venue but the date being the key factor.
Pocono (Traditional Date- USAC: mid-June CART: mid-August): Pocono, in my opinion, seems to be the most interested in hosting an IndyCar race come 2013 with recent improvements to the track and the attendance of the St. Pete race by track president Brendon Igdalsky. The range of possible dates for Pocono seems wide open. A race in late April is doable but the weather is unpredictable in the northeast until mid-May (trust me, have lived in the northeast my whole life). The race could be a nice spring or cold reminder that winter didn't end that long ago. A summer date would have to be squeezed between the two NASCAR races which are only seven weeks a part. A possible late August race or a back-to-back the week after Baltimore is possible. Pennsylvania has a lot of racing fans and with this practically a home race for the Andretti family, it could get a nice draw, especially if it is well promoted in the Philadelphia and New York. markets. I think Pocono is a legitimate possibility for 2013.
Richmond (Traditional Date- Late June): Richmond has been thrown around but no serious talks that we know of. I would love to see another short oval and Richmond produced some good racing. The draw was good and it wasn't a bad market. Due to the NASCAR dates, a late June race worked for the IRL but now June is the busiest month for IndyCar. You could add it at the final weekend of June and create a six race stretch. An idea I have had is Richmond would be a good venue for an IndyCar race the Wednesday night after the MLB All-Star Game, a date that has normally been dead sports wise and a chance for IndyCar to capitalize, but I will divulge on that later. I say Richmond is a long shot for 2013 but would be a great choice.
Circuit of The Americas: The track being built for this year's Formula One United States Grand Prix has expressed interest in an IndyCar date and with the Australian based, V8 Supercars series go there in 2013, a possible IndyCar-V8 Supercar doubleheader is possible, seeing as how V8 Supercars and CART/ChampCar/IndyCar used to run together at Surfers Paradise. No word yet on the date of the Austin V8 Supercar event but if it is like other international event the series has run, a date early or late in the calendar year seems most likely. With the United States Grand Prix being in November and the V8 Supercars being in Abu Dhabi at that time, I think the V8 Supercar date will be sometime in January or February. This would work as that early season opener IndyCar has been looking for but nothing has been announced and we will have to wait and see. The American Le Mans Series has already announced their intention to race at Austin in 2013. I would not rule out IndyCar joining them.
Others:
Watkins Glen was talking to IndyCar about a return last winter but all has gone quiet on that front.
I wouldn't rule out an attempt at China in 2013.
A Fort Lauderdale street race has been mentioned but we have yet to see that materialize.
Surfers Paradise is still interested in IndyCar and with Will Power, Ryan Briscoe and Scott Dixon is makes a lot of sense to go back there.
No word on a second Brazil race, that once seemed a guarantee up until last year.
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