Interest builds around possible changes to NASCAR schedule

[DewChaser988]

Fair....but I would love to see them up here in the Pacific Northwest.

Pretty sure, you already have Portland International Raceway for that. Try getting a NASCAR event there first

 

[Revman]

Pretty sure, you already have Portland International Raceway for that. Try getting a NASCAR event there first

Yeah, I don't know how much would be have to be done to draw NASCAR there honestly. Does anybody know if the track is NASCAR ready?

 

[Jorge De Guzman]

I know, I'm just stating my opinion..

Plus, North Wilkesboro will basically need to be rebuilt.. The facilities were behind even by 1996 Cup standards.. I can't imagine how outdated they are by 2021 standards

You might be right but when push comes to shove, I think Marcus is going to spend SMI’s money the way he wants to.

 

[Jorge De Guzman]

Oh hell he's a structural engineer, race track renovation expert, and most of all a scheduling guru.

A jack of all trades, master of none

 

[gnomesayin]

Yeah, I don't know how much would be have to be done to draw NASCAR there honestly. Does anybody know if the track is NASCAR ready?

The facilities are quite primitive. It's owned by the city and managed by Portland Parks & Rec, not a private owner who might invest in major upgrades. Truck Series seems most likely if NASCAR were interested, they were of course there in the 90s.

 

[DewChaser988]

A jack of all trades, master of none

Yeah I've been called that before

 

[DewChaser988]

The facilities are quite primitive. It's owned by the city and managed by Portland Parks & Rec, not a private owner who might invest in major upgrades. Truck Series seems most likely if NASCAR were interested, they were of course there in the 90s.

They were good enough for Indycar though

 

[Magicmiler]

Of course, there are issues with sound

Of course. I've always worn headsets there, it's a must.

 

[Revman]

They were good enough for Indycar though

That says something, doesn't it? Unless major things have been done that I am not aware of, it doesn't have the kind of suites, etc. that are commonplace at NASCAR destinations. While I have never been to a street race, I have walked the course at Long Beach. Temporary hospitality types of things are fine in that environment because you are in the middle of a city--the hospitality is already there. Temporary amenities at a permanent road course probably aren't acceptable...and that is what PIR once was--maybe different now, but I don't think so.

 

[Charlie Spencer]

They were good enough for Indycar though

Yeah, and they put on a good show there, but Indy doesn't need 36 to 40 pit stalls.

 

[DewChaser988]

Yeah, and they put on a good show there, but Indy doesn't need 36 to 40 pit stalls.

Portland does need renovations for Cup, I can agree..

As it's the only purpose built racetrack in the Pacific Northwest that could host major events

 

[kkfan91]

No change required for Sonoma this year

 

[donthaveanickname]

No change required for Sonoma this year

The NASCAR app says the race is gonna be 90 laps which would mean they'll run the full circuit again.

 

[DewChaser988]

No change required for Sonoma this year

Good that they can run Sonoma this year, sucks that it's the full layout though.. Honestly, after 2019, I wasn't impressed with the Carousel layout and think the 1998-2018 layout was probably the better one for stock cars

 

[Nitro Dude]

It sounds like Nashville may not be on the schedule for a few more years.

Commissioner raises doubts of NASCAR at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway in 2022

A Nashville Fair Board commissioner raises doubts that a deal can be done and construction can be finished for Fairgrounds Speedway to host NASCAR in 2022.

www.yahoo.com

 

[Jorge De Guzman]

It sounds like Nashville may not be on the schedule for a few more years.

Commissioner raises doubts of NASCAR at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway in 2022

A Nashville Fair Board commissioner raises doubts that a deal can be done and construction can be finished for Fairgrounds Speedway to host NASCAR in 2022.

www.yahoo.com

I always figured it’d be the 23-25 range Cup would be running there

 

[FLRacingFan]

Chicago street race planning is still in the early-to-middle stages, they’re still seeking a promoter, and navigating local politics may delay the event at least past next season. What’s also notable is the mention of Denver and Mexico City street race prospects. Mexico City already has Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez available as a permanent road course, of course. And it’s been significantly renovated since Xfinity last raced there.

 

[Jorge De Guzman]

I will be absolutely stunned if NASCAR gets past the political red tape of Chicago to get clearance to run a street race. Hoping for the best thought because I dont think Chicagoland Speedway is coming back, so if a street race in the city is my only local access to a race on the yearly calendar then so be it.

 

[Charlie Spencer]

I will be absolutely stunned if NASCAR gets past the political red tape of Chicago to get clearance to run a street race. Hoping for the best thought because I dont think Chicagoland Speedway is coming back, so if a street race in the city is my only local access to a race on the yearly calendar then so be it.

If people wouldn’t show up at the track, why would a street course do any better?

Confused in Carolina.

 

[Jorge De Guzman]

If people wouldn’t show up at the track, why would a street course do any better?

Confused in Carolina.

you'd have to ask the people or those that are trying to push this idea, I have no clue.

 

[wi_racefan]

I've said it before if you're going to do a street race why not go to the Pacific Northwest. They always said weather was an issue out there, but turns out you can run a street course in the rain........

 

[gnomesayin]

If people wouldn’t show up at the track, why would a street course do any better?

Confused in Carolina.

There is mounting evidence in open wheel and internationally to indicate that urban street races with a more festival style atmosphere are attracting greater attendance (and more B2B opportunities) than speedway stadiums. Joliet is more than an hour away from Chicago. The idea NASCAR is exploring is to take the product to where the people are. I believe it is worth a shot.

 

[Jorge De Guzman]

There is mounting evidence in open wheel and internationally to indicate that urban street races with a more festival style atmosphere are attracting greater attendance (and more B2B opportunities) than speedway stadiums. Joliet is more than an hour away from Chicago. The idea NASCAR is exploring is to take the product to where the people are. I believe it is worth a shot.

I dont think what you are saying is wrong at all and I actually agree with it. However it chaps my ass that NASCAR pretty much isnt going back to Chicagoland Speedway and is tinkering with this idea on the very basis that Joliet is too far from the City when you have examples of Atlanta, Fontana, Texas and Michigan are all just as far if not farther from a main city hub. How come those places didnt lose a race if its based on that thinking? I'd have an easier time losing my home track if NASCAR just said fans stopped showing up to the track and they received a hell of a deal from Amazon to turn the track into a warehouse than the "not close to a city" narrative.

Atlanta Motor Speedway to Atlanta

www.google.com

Auto Club Speedway to Los Angeles

www.google.com

Texas Motor Speedway to Dallas

www.google.com

Michigan International Speedway to Detroit

www.google.com

 

[DewChaser988]

I dont think what you are saying is wrong at all and I actually agree with it. However it chaps my ass that NASCAR pretty much isnt going back to Chicagoland Speedway and is tinkering with this idea on the very basis that Joliet is too far from the City when you have examples of Atlanta, Fontana, Texas and Michigan are all just as far if not farther from a main city hub. How come those places didnt lose a race if its based on that thinking? I'd have an easier time losing my home track if NASCAR just said fans stopped showing up to the track and they received a hell of a deal from Amazon to turn the track into a warehouse than the "not close to a city" narrative.

Atlanta Motor Speedway to Atlanta

www.google.com

Auto Club Speedway to Los Angeles

www.google.com

Texas Motor Speedway to Dallas

www.google.com

Michigan International Speedway to Detroit

www.google.com

Atlanta's a legacy track in a state historically passionate about stock car racing, it gets a pass

 

[Speedbowl14]

This is typical NASCAR....going full-bore ahead with future street courses before even seeing how the first one plays out.

I like it when NASCAR tries new things. I don't like it when they choose to base their entire future around something untested (ex- the Next Gen car designed to compliment the high downforce package before any races were run on such a package outside of the All-Star race).

 

[DewChaser988]

This is typical NASCAR....going full-bore ahead with future street courses before even seeing how the first one plays out.

I like it when NASCAR tries new things. I don't like it when they choose to base their entire future around something untested (ex- the Next Gen car designed to compliment the high downforce package before any races were run on such a package outside of the All-Star race).

Exactly, I've been saying MetLife Stadium or even Philadelphia first.. MetLife Stadium, you only need to deal with the New Jersey Sports and Entertainment Authority (and would finally get a Cup race in the New York market, which NASCAR has tried to do for years)

 

[gnomesayin]

This is typical NASCAR....going full-bore ahead with future street courses before even seeing how the first one plays out.

I like it when NASCAR tries new things. I don't like it when they choose to base their entire future around something untested (ex- the Next Gen car designed to compliment the high downforce package before any races were run on such a package outside of the All-Star race).

There hasn't been a first one and there is no first one on the calendar. Chicago may be the first one.

 

[DewChaser988]

There hasn't been a first one. Chicago may be the first one.

I still think NASCAR should have tried New York first

 

[pjmolo]

I will be absolutely stunned if NASCAR gets past the political red tape of Chicago to get clearance to run a street race. Hoping for the best thought because I don't think Chicagoland Speedway is coming back, so if a street race in the city is my only local access to a race on the yearly calendar then so be it.

If people wouldn’t show up at the track, why would a street course do any better?

I don't think lack of attendance was the primary reason that Chicagoland lost their Cup race.

Although ticket demand certainly tapered off from 20 years ago during the height of NASCAR popularity, as I recall the 2019 race had a pretty good crowd.

imo, the reason the 2020 Chicagoland race was canceled was due to the tight COVID restrictions in place in Illinois, unlike many other states.

And there's a good chance that, like Auto Club Speedway, they lost their 2021 date for the same reason.

 

[StandOnIt]

I don't think anybody around here has a clue why Chicagoland was cancelled myself

 

[Nitro Dude]

I don't think anybody around here has a clue why Chicagoland was cancelled myself

I think Joliet/Chicagoland was pulled off the drag race schedule around the same time.

 

[Old Kid]

imo, the reason the 2020 Chicagoland race was canceled was due to the tight COVID restrictions in place in Illinois, unlike many other states.

And there's a good chance that, like Auto Club Speedway, they lost their 2021 date for the same reason.

I think you're exactly right on both counts. These things can happen when you're in a nanny state.

 

[Mispeedway15]

I don't think anybody around here has a clue why Chicagoland was cancelled myself

It was the state of Illinois. It’s why Michigan has an August race and Kentucky lost theirs. While I avoid ever getting political, this literally is lol

 

[StandOnIt]

I think Joliet/Chicagoland was pulled off the drag race schedule around the same time.

Everybody has their pet reasons, but the big wheels who own the stuff aren't sayin

 

[carolinabuff]

I've said it before if you're going to do a street race why not go to the Pacific Northwest. They always said weather was an issue out there, but turns out you can run a street course in the rain........

Probably because there's approximately zero interest in NASCAR in that part of the country.

 

[DewChaser988]

Probably because there's approximately zero interest in NASCAR in that part of the country.

Evergreen Speedway and Meridian Speedway say hi

 

[carolinabuff]

Evergreen Speedway and Meridian Speedway say hi

Well, there was talk of NASCAR wanting to put a Cup race up in the Northwest about 15 years go but there was no interest in building a track up there

 

[wi_racefan]

Probably because there's approximately zero interest in NASCAR in that part of the country.

I do a good amount of work in that area and you'd be surprised the amount of fans out there

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[DewChaser988]

I do a good amount of work in that area and you'd be surprised the amount of fans out there

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Plus, a few drivers come from that area anyway.. Kahne and Biffle, just to name a few off hand..

 

[bigspud]

Probably because there's approximately zero interest in NASCAR in that part of the country.

very much less interest since nascar implemented all of its hokey rule changes.