As we’ve headed deeper into the summer portion of the IZOD IndyCar Series calendar, a lot of talk has emerged about possible tracks that could make the 2012 schedule. The mix of candidates include the ISC-owned Chicagoland Speedway, Road America, a street race in Houston, and a second round in Brazil.
But none of those have been made official yet (even though the second Brazil race does have a letter of intent going for it). Auto Club Speedway, however, is official. The two-mile oval in Fontana, California, which was home to some of the best open-wheel oval racing in the world from 1997-2005 with CART and the Indy Racing League, will stage an IndyCar event once again in 2012 — and stage it under the lights, no less.
It appears that maintaining the 50-50 balance between ovals and road courses is a top priority for INDYCAR CEO Randy Bernard. Fontana’s addition to the 2012 docket also seems to be the beginning of the end for IndyCar and ISC’s break from one another. After abysmal attendance and promotion at multiple ISC-owned facilities in 2010, there were no ISC tracks on the 2011 campaign. It also bears noting that the IRL events at Fontana from 2002-2005 also suffered from horrible crowds.
But it appears that both sides are going to give it another try. Let’s hope IndyCar and ISC bring their promotional “A-game” to this facility, which stands not too far away from the important Los Angeles market…
