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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowCEO Randy Bernard is considering taking the open-wheel series to the Road America road course in Elkhart Lake, Wis., for 2012. That race could replace the Milwaukee race, which Bernard said faces a 50-percent chance of being eliminated.
After the June 19 race at the Milwaukee Mile drew a disappointing crowd, estimated at 13,000, series officials sounded pessimistic about building an audience in the once race-crazy town. The Milwaukee venue holds 38,000.
Meanwhile, Bernard said he visited Road America track President George Bruggenthies earlier this month.
Bernard“It was a great track, I liked it, and it will get strong consideration next year,” Bernard told SpeedTV.
Road America was a popular stop on the CART/Champ Car World Series calendar for many years, but has never hosted an IndyCar Series race.
There is some concern that the addition of Road America and departure of the series from Milwaukee will put too many road races and not enough oval courses on the series’ calendar.
Bernard said there is a strong possibility that one or more oval courses will be added in 2012.
“I’ve had several good conversations with [Chicagoland Speedway President] Scott Paddock, and if we can work out a deal that makes sense for both of us, we’ll go back,” Bernard said.
Bernard added that a 2012 race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., also is a solid possibility.
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