It just might happen, too. The Miami site for a second U.S. Grand Prix location is in jeopardy, and Roger Penske will soon take charge of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Known to many with its famous pagoda tower and the bricks that line up the start/finish line, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is one of the most famous sites in motorsports. It hosts the famed race on Memorial Day weekend, as well as the NASCAR version, The Brickyard 400.
What many people forget is that at one point–between 2000-2008–Indy also was the site for the United States Grand Prix.
With the loss of that venue, it took a few years before the U.S. re-entered the Formula 1 calendar–this time at an unusual spot, namely, at the homemade circuit designed by legendary track artist Herman Tilke just southwest of Austin, Texas. The track has had a successful outing hosting of the event.
Today, Formula 1’s governing company, an American corporation, Liberty Media, is very interested in having another American race, and in having it run in a second U.S. city. The first option considered was to hold a street race around the arena where the NBA’s Miami Heat play home games. But residents complained about noise, and a second Miami venue was proposed–this one with a race designed around the Hard Rock Café Stadium, which is home to another pro sports team, the NFL’s Miami Dolphins. That option has also received criticism because, with its rounded circuit, it resembles a NASCAR track more than a Formula 1 circuit.
Courtesy: Fox Business
So that brings the conversation back to Indy. There’s a difference this time, though. The speedway is now in the hands of a different owner–sold by the Hulman family to one of the most famous people in motorsports, Roger Penske.
Penske is popular for Indy cars, NASCAR, and has produced a long list of champions. The track became available when Mari Hulman George, who had been president of the speedway for many years, died last November.
The price Penske paid the George family was not made public because the Hulman holdings are organized as a private company. But the bottom line is that Penske will assume responsibility for Indy in January 2020. One of Penske’s ideas is to bring more international races to the legendary circuit, such as Moto GP and, quite possibly, Formula 1 racing.
And the door may be open to doing just that. With only six months for Miami to get their act together–and satisfy residents’ concerns–the second U.S. date may become open for F1 racing. If Miami falls through, as Weehawken NJ did just a few years ago, then Penske will have an opportunity to make a bid.
If there’s anybody who has the credibility and the site to run this race, that person is Roger Penske and Indy is the place. Stay tuned!
