For the second time, ISM Raceway has been removed from the Verizon IndyCar Series schedule.
A three-year run that followed an 11-year hiatus came to a close Saturday night, as IndyCar announced via press release that the series would not be returning to the Phoenix tri-oval.
“IndyCar has enjoyed its time racing at ISM Raceway, but attendance in the past three years has been disappointing despite considerable investment from both sides,” the statement read. “Track president Bryan Sperber and his team have been terrific partners and are developing a beautiful facility, and IndyCar will reconnect with them when conditions are right for both parties.”
Since its return to the series, the track had struggled to maintain strong challenging opportunities which lead to a lack of overtaking. With the current model of the series leaning towards improving on-track action, the low intensity bouts at the 1.022 mile track coupled with waning attendance lead to it being removed in 2019.
2018 race winner Josef Newgarden acknowledged that the track’s impact on the drivers did not necessarily make for an exciting viewing experience.
“I hope it was a good race,” he said after his April 7 victory. “I hope people enjoyed it. It was challenging from the driver's seat, no doubt.If that translated to TV, to the audience, I don't know.”
With IndyCar no longer running Phoenix in their upcoming schedule, speculation begins for which tracks the series will grace next season after the return of Portland International Raceway makes way for other tracks to return.
“IndyCar is moving forward with building a terrific schedule for the 2019 season.”
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