Door left open for IRL to return to RIR
While the traditional IndyCar Series at Richmond International Raceway date remains open on the 2010 IRL schedule, it won't be filled by any last-minute agreement between the two parties.
However, both entities are open to discussions about 2011 for what would be a 10th visit here from the series.
"We love that place. We love the market," said Indy Racing League commercial division President Terry Angstadt by phone late last week. "We have a lot of great fans. . . . it's a hotbed of motorsports there.
"We'd love to go back there in the future. And it's a very important market for one of our stronger teams." (Team Penske is sponsored by Henrico County-based Philip Morris).
RIR President Doug Fritz was asked yesterday if talks about next season were still possible: "No, not for 2010," he said. "Beyond that, as we are with any sanctioning body, we're open to discussion. We have a great relationship with IRL, and several IRL events are held at ISC tracks. So, not for 2010, but you never know down the road."
As reported by The Times-Dispatch, the lack of on-track action here was a factor in RIR not renewing its contract for 2010. At Kentucky Speedway's oval over the weekend, optional technical changes led to 20 lead changes among seven drivers.
To put that number in perspective, in the series' nine visits here there have been 24 total lead changes, including only nine the past four races. - Shawn Fenner
Reader Reactions
It’s amazing: a nine year history with growing attendance each year and yet RIR tells the Indycar to bug off. Did anyone at RIR think of taking a poll? Did anyone at RIR TRY to recruit a new race sponsor. Surely, they knew in advance that Suntrust was leaving at the end of their contract. They’re a back, what would one expect in these times/
As one of your paying fans, Mr. Fritz and Mr. France, I just want to say that the next RIR ticket I’ll buy will be for the next Indycar race at Richmond.
RIR shows both disrespect and contempt for thousands of its paying customers with their arrogant snub of Indy Car. Kentucky proved the package can be modified to provide great racing. In a form letter sent to all who complained, they blamed bad racing in one pragraph and the economy in another.
Which one is it? Has anyone at RIR even attempted to find a replacement for Sun Trust?
Idiotic posturing aside, it is all about money. Too bad the fans have to bear the brunt of this particular hissy fit.
I need to clarify what I said about na$crap never saying a race is boring. They never call it a boring race even though the pit crews have fallen asleep on pit road due to the races being boring. IRL knew it was boring, said it, and then did something about it…and it was for the better.
The only factor in the IRL not renewing for 2010 is $$$$. During the race, they were saying that the race was boring (you never hear na$crap say that) and they were going to have to make changes. They did and the race Saturday was exciting. The France family just wouldn’t get off their wallet and thought the IRL would say, ok you don’t have to pay more and we’ll stay. The IRL just said bye. I hate to tell Brian France this but he can’t take his millions with him. Too bad we can’t fire Brian. That would be a good turning point for na$crap.
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