NBCSN versus ABC is a big factor. The last time Texas was on ABC (2013) it got 1.4M viewers the weekend after Detroit got 883K and 1.0M. This year's number was no doubt pretty bad though. I imagine they'll come to an agreement to renew, but I can't say the same for other events like Iowa and Phoenix. I'd love to see some more ovals on the schedule too but besides Gateway and maybe Pocono I don't think the fans have shown up like they expected and need to call it a success.I'm not sure I understand why, but both Detroit races were watched by many more people than the Texas race. I don't think Indy 500 coattails would flip that reality. I don't know what is happening to appreciation for oval racing in America, but Indycar has one "grand oval". I personally want them on the schedule, but they aren't the draw they used to be.
One less Indycar race I'll be watching then.
Grandstand, casual fan attendance was way too low for it to keep on going. It had the lowest attendance of any oval and I think many would say it had the worst "show" of any oval as well. The statement did say IndyCar and ISC will work together on finding a replacement venue for 2019.
https://racer.com/2018/07/10/daly-to-replace-chaves-at-harding-for-final-six-races/
It's been updated to say that O'Ward, Herta, and Urrutia will probably all get in there. Should be interesting to see how those guys do. Lord knows it's been a long time coming for Santi.
No doubt he has to be peeved about the last point...what a way to lose a title and the scholarship money that comes with it. I think over the first two years of Lights he beat maybe four guys who already are in IndyCar, and was one pass away from winning that title over a guy who now has a Ganassi ride. That has to sting.Not too sure. Urrutia really should be winning Lights this year, and he's a distant 3rd to O'Ward and Herta. And when you compare to last season, he lost to Kaiser, who I'm not sure we're going to ever see him in an Indycar again after using up his sponsorship money.
There's an Uruguayan around on some racing forums, and he says Urrutia really doesn't have the level of financial backing one would think he has.
I'm sure Urrutia if he could get the opportunity would punch Felix Serralles in the mouth.
https://www.indycar.com/News/2018/07/07-17-Laguna-Seca-added-to-2019-schedule
Sonoma is not/was not that great of a circuit for Indy cars. Maybe that'll change a little this year with the new kits, but it generally had the feeling of being an underwhelming finale. It has no real Indy car history (besides one USAC race way back when), only coming onto the schedule during the IRL days.
I think it's interesting another team inquired about Marco.
IndyCar finally steps up to support Lights. I have no idea how Miles, Frye, et al., finally convinced Hulman and Co. to do it, but I am impressed nonetheless. Sounds like they've been working on this quietly for many months now.
