How Well Will Milwaukee IndyFest Be Attended?
Last year only saw about 15,000 people show up for the race but moving the race from Father's Day to the day before is believed to help attendance numbers. The race will start at 12:30 local time after last year's race started at 2:30pm. Andretti does have his back to the wall in the sense that he had far less time to promote this race but he and his colleagues have worked hard to get a decent crowd. Tickets are at a very reasonable price. Two day infield admission is $29 for adults and grandstand tickets for Saturday's race start at $26 until the 15th when the price will increase to $31. Tickets in the north terrace start at $19 pre-race weekend, with an increase to $24 on Friday. The Family Fun Zone, IndyCar Fan Village, Snake Pit and Smash Mouth concert are all included with the purchase of a ticket. IndyCar drivers Graham Rahal and Alex Tagliani both set-up bus trips to the race from Indianapolis.
I am praying this race is attended well but I can understand if this isn't far better than less year. 25,000, while still low, would be good enough for me. I think Michael Andretti should give IndyFest at least another year, if not two to build up a fan base. It takes time to bring fans back and Andretti and IndyCar should not give up after just one year. If they had more time to promote this event I think it could easily sell out.
Another Oval
After a great Texas race, that may have saved the race from falling off the schedule, IndyCar is on another oval. Five former winners at Milwaukee will be in this year's race. Unlike Indianapolis and Texas, Milwaukee is a flat mile. Honda had the advantage on the two previous ovals but it will be interested to see how the Honda engine does here. Drivers are off the throttle more here than the previous two rounds (even after all the downforce reductions at Texas). The Honda single turbo had more time to wind up where it will not have nearly the same about of time at Milwaukee. Chevrolet and the twin-turbo engine could have the advantage at Milwaukee like they had at the first four rounds on road and street courses.
Bryan Clauson Returns To Lights
After a decent month of May, Bryan Clauson returns to the Firestone Indy Lights Series for Milwaukee and Iowa with Fan Force United. Last year, Clauson finished 4th at Milwaukee and 3rd at Iowa. Clauson is joined by Mike Larrison of Belardi Auto Racing as the only two Americans in the Lights field. Last year's Milwaukee Lights winner, Esteban Guerrieri currently leads the Lights standings ahead of Tristan Vautier and Sebastian Saavedra.
What I Learned From An IndyCar Driver
I learned that Ryan Hunter-Reay never actually saw the Ansan Circuit in South Korea during his 2005 visit to promote the ChampCar race that eventually never happened. I could not find any proof that circuit was ever built or if they even started construction. Until now. I have found of video on YouTube of a man doing a lap of the Ansan Circuit.
Prediction
After a tough second at Texas, Graham Rahal takes Milwaukee in front of a good crowd and all the fans that took his bus trip to the race. The Chevrolets, however will take six of the top ten, which will include Ryan Hunter-Reay, James Hinchcliffe and Will Power. I see Scott Dixon rebounding with a top ten. Last week's winner Justin Wilson has a good run but nothing too spectacular. Sleeper: Oriol Servia.
