Indy Racing League
RICHMOND -
Richmond International Raceway officials have decided not to bring the Indy Racing League and the SunTrust Indy Challenge back for a 10th year in 2010. In it's first nine years, the IRL at times struggled to fill seats and to provide the side-by-side racing that NASCAR fans have come to expect at the "Action Track".
RIR General Manager Doug Fritz was quick to point out this was a decision by Richmond officials and that the IRL wanted to return next year. But with rising facility costs and dwindling ticket sales that fell to around 30,000 for this year's race, the decision became a financial one.
"Given the unprecedented challenging economic conditions facing all businesses, we at Richmond International Raceway, in partnership with our parent company International Speedway Corporation, have been closely reviewing our portfolio of events. Key factors of the review include prioritization of promotional spends, track resources and efforts, along with fan and industry feedback" Fritz said in a statement released by RIR.
"This was a very difficult decision but given all the factors considered, one that we're confident will help us to continue providing the best entertainment for our guests, while at the same time meet immediate needs to position Richmond for long-term success."
Fritz went on to say the situation was more than an open-wheel series not working in a traditional NASCAR market. However, in recent years, drivers and teams have complained there was very little opportunity to pass on the shortest track on the circuit and that fans weren't seeing the real racing the IRL can deliver.
"The IndyCar Series is a high-quality racing series and we have enjoyed hosting them at Richmond International Raceway" Fritz went on to say. "The series puts on good shows all over the world, but here at Richmond we just didn't have the racing that our fans have come to expect. Nonetheless, the IndyCar Series continues to run entertaining events at other venues and we wish them all the best for the future."
The IRL currently runs at four other tracks owned by International Speedway Corporation, the parent company of RIR. Fritz noted that RIR's contract with the IRL (as with NASCAR) was on a year-to-year basis, and he said the "door is always open" to revisit having the IRL return to Richmond in future seasons.
RIR General Manager Doug Fritz was quick to point out this was a decision by Richmond officials and that the IRL wanted to return next year. But with rising facility costs and dwindling ticket sales that fell to around 30,000 for this year's race, the decision became a financial one.
"Given the unprecedented challenging economic conditions facing all businesses, we at Richmond International Raceway, in partnership with our parent company International Speedway Corporation, have been closely reviewing our portfolio of events. Key factors of the review include prioritization of promotional spends, track resources and efforts, along with fan and industry feedback" Fritz said in a statement released by RIR.
"This was a very difficult decision but given all the factors considered, one that we're confident will help us to continue providing the best entertainment for our guests, while at the same time meet immediate needs to position Richmond for long-term success."
Fritz went on to say the situation was more than an open-wheel series not working in a traditional NASCAR market. However, in recent years, drivers and teams have complained there was very little opportunity to pass on the shortest track on the circuit and that fans weren't seeing the real racing the IRL can deliver.
"The IndyCar Series is a high-quality racing series and we have enjoyed hosting them at Richmond International Raceway" Fritz went on to say. "The series puts on good shows all over the world, but here at Richmond we just didn't have the racing that our fans have come to expect. Nonetheless, the IndyCar Series continues to run entertaining events at other venues and we wish them all the best for the future."
The IRL currently runs at four other tracks owned by International Speedway Corporation, the parent company of RIR. Fritz noted that RIR's contract with the IRL (as with NASCAR) was on a year-to-year basis, and he said the "door is always open" to revisit having the IRL return to Richmond in future seasons.
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