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MILLER: IndyCar’s Next Step
Written by: Robin Miller   
06/08/2008
Fort Worth, Texas
 
Should the rest of the league follow the Texas model? (LAT photo) ยป More Photos

There is little doubt Eddie Gossage would rather be quoted than breathe. The Texas Motor Speedway president really likes that reflection he sees in the mirror and somebody suggested that if Robbie Knievel comes back in 2009, instead of jumping 21 trucks like he did Saturday night, he could simply attempt to vault Eddie's ego.

Over the weekend, Edwardo manufactured headlines by stating that Indy-car racing needed to be 80 percent ovals to retain its identity and his crowds are off 20 percent since Texas quit following the Indianapolis 500 on the schedule.

And, of course, he reminded us that open-wheel racing is lucky to have his track and his continued support.

Anyway, the mistake some people make is taking him too seriously. He always knows what he's saying and loves to stir things up. But give Gossage his due. Sure, he sucks as a track designer, but he is a darn good promoter, one of the few remaining, and he understands his product right along with his audience.

Gossage gave Tony George an instant
hit when they partnered in 1997 and, other than Indy, it's always been the IRL's biggest draw (whether it's 70,000 or 100,000). Even though it's two hours of insanity for the drivers, the fans enjoy the too-close-for-comfort combat at 210 mph.

But Bruton Smith's oval oasis is also an anomaly.

With a couple exceptions, open-wheel racing and ovals no longer mesh. Sure, it's still some of the best racing on this planet and it's much better to watch on television, but it's usually a big financial loser. That's why George has had to abandon the IRL's all-oval mantra and adopt one of CART's few good ideas -- a blend of road courses, street circuits and ovals.

Since the split in 1996, Atlanta, Charlotte, Colorado Springs, Dover, Fontana, Las Vegas, Loudon, St. Louis, Michigan, Nazareth, Orlando and Phoenix have thrown in the towel for various reasons.

And, we're reporting right here that you can add Homestead and Nashville to that list, because neither will be back on the 2009 IRL schedule.

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