All the millions Tony George spent turning the world’s greatest oval into a Formula One track for Bernie Ecclestone will never be recouped because the IMS road course is boring and people don’t come to the Speedway to watch cars turn right and left.

That was the last big outlay of money spent at IMS and the old girl is really starting to show her age. Some of the grandstands need replaced, the restrooms are an embarrassment and the Speedway has agreed to comply with the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) all around the 2.5-mile track.

There has also been a rumor that NASCAR said if IMS doesn’t install lights and go to a night show then it’s headed down the road.

All those things I mentioned need immediate attention, but the Speedway doesn’t need to spend money on lights or video boards.

Forget the fact Mr. Hulman once promised the city of Speedway there would “never” be a night race -- it’s a bad idea, like Indy cars on the road course.

The Brickyard 400 isn’t going to be any more exciting at night than it is in the daylight because the Speedway is not a good place for stock cars. Instead of spending $14 million on lights, spend $500,000 and bring back the old apron – at least you’d give NASCAR another chance at passing (not to mention it also helps Indy).

A proposed 24 hours of Indy for sports cars? Please. That’s for Le Mans and Daytona – Indy is, has and always will be about turning left.

As for buying new video boards, wouldn’t renting them three times a year be cheaper?

Still, considering all the good that’s come from out of West 16th Street in the past 105 years, a 20-year tax abatement for $100 million (with IMS paying back $2 million a year) hardly seems unreasonable. Of all the recent changes within the Huiman & Co. organization, this bold business move has all the feel of the track's new administration.

We taxpayers paid the majority of the $720 million for Lucas Oil Stadium for the Colts and $80 of the $183 million for Banker’s Life Fieldhouse for the Pacers. The Speedway is our national treasure, our big dot on the world map and our longest-running partnership with the city.

After a century of always reaching in its own pockets, it’s finally got its hand out.

Make no mistake the folks at IMS can be plenty greedy when it comes to suites, catering and motorhome parking but this tax seems a lot more like good business than extortion.

Robin Miller brings 40 years of experience to his role as SPEED.com's senior open-wheel reporter, and serves as a frequent contributor to SPEED Center and Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain.

The opinions reflected herein are solely those of the above commentator and are not necessarily those of SPEED.com, FOX, NewsCorp, or SPEED.
The opinions reflected herein are solely those of the above commentator and are not necessarily those of SPEED.com, FOX, NewsCorp, or SPEED