By ZECH YODER
This week we are talking about tracks that are not on the NASCAR or INDYCAR schedule. So, what are tracks that NASCAR and INDYCAR are missing? I will give you my top three tracks for each.
NASCAR
- Rockingham
Rockingham is one of the early NASCAR tracks and is located in the heart of North Carolina. The track is a one-mile high-banked speedway that is configured in a D-shaped oval. From 1965 to 2004, Rockingham hosted the NASCAR Cup Series. Rockingham usually featured exciting racing, and in the last Cup Series event, Matt Kenseth held off Kasey Kahne by just 0.010 seconds.
NASCAR left Rockingham largely because of its poor attendance numbers and to expand its influence on the West Coast. Much like North Wilkesboro Speedway, Rockingham is unique and historic, and there has been some recent momentum on putting the track back on the Cup Series calendar. I would very much enjoy seeing the NextGen cars at Rockingham.
- Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway
Another historic racetrack, Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, is the second-oldest continually operating track in the United States. NASCAR began going to Nashville in 1958. Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway is just over a half-mile in length and features wide, high-banked corners – a promising site for the Cup Series.
The speedway is currently owned by Speedway Motorsports and president, Marcus Smith, has been working on a plan to update the facilities in order to attract a Cup Series race. Though not without opposition, there is a great deal of debate in the community regarding the possibility of attracting the Cup Series, and some community members have been pushing back on Smith’s plans.
- Chicagoland
Chicagoland Speedway was cut from the NASCAR schedule after the 2020 season. A 1.5-mile tri-oval, it was criticized due to the lack of performance of the Gen 5 cars on 1.5-mile speedways.
The introduction of the Chicago Street Race further demoted the status of Chicagoland Speedway as the Chicago market had its race. Nevertheless, Chicagoland remains a great racetrack and would do produce great racing with the NextGen car. Of the three tracks listed, however, Chicagoland is least likely to host another Cup race anytime soon.
INDYCAR
- Texas Motor Speedway
The most notable change to the 2024 INDYCAR calendar was the exclusion of Texas Motor Speedway. Arguably the best race of the 2023 season Texas Motor Speedway a staple on the INDYCAR schedule for years. In a year in which INDYCAR only hosts one race on 1.5-mile or larger tracks, the Spring Texas race will certainly be missed.
There was some speculation that the INDYCAR race at Texas was scratched because NASCAR moved its Texas race to the spring. If that is the case, is it a possibility that NASCAR and INDYCAR could work out a Texas double-header?
- Michigan International Speedway
It’s no secret that I love INDYCARs on big ovals, and Michigan is a fantastic racetrack. It also has history with the sport as INDYCAR’s current owner, Roger Penske, owned the track from 1972 until 1999. The two-mile, D-shaped oval allows for high speeds and produces excellent on-track action with its wide corners.
In recent years, INDYCAR has stirred away from large tracks due to the high speeds and safety concerns, so I don’t anticipate a return to Michigan. Yet, with the racing we see at Indianapolis, a return to Michigan sure would be great.
- Watkins Glen
This is one that I am a bit confused by. Watkins Glen, located in the finger lakes of New York, is a track with significant historical importance. Further, it is located on the Mid-Atlantic region, a market that INDYCAR has not been in some time.
Watkins Glen is a premier racing facility. Formula 1 competed at Watkins Glen in the past, and NASCAR added the track to its 10-race playoff. In my opinion, the track is designed well for INDYCAR and features several passing zones that would make an INDYCAR race quite exciting. This is a track and market that INDYCAR must tap into.
What are your thoughts? What tracks am I missing?
Zech Yoder is a local resident, an attorney at Adler Attorneys in Noblesville, and a lifelong race fan.