2011 IndyCar finale in Fontana?

Auto Club Speedway president Gillian Zucker wasn't kidding when she said the track would make every effort to land an IndyCar Series race in Fontana. [Note: See related rumor that NASCAR may have ruined IndyCar doing Vegas as a season finale, which is too bad really.]

Initially, many scoffed at the idea of the open-wheel series returning to the two-mile oval that produced the world's fastest race in 2003. In winning the Toyota Indy 400, Sam Hornish Jr. averaged 207.151 mph, a mark that stands today.

There have been reports that the IndyCar Series and International Speedway Corp., the track owner, were not exactly on the same business page and that the sanctioning body didn't want to race twice in Southern California. The IndyCar Series has been the main draw at the Long Beach Grand Prix since 2008.

However, Zucker is pressing the IndyCar Series for a date, possibly as early as 2011. Now that ACS has just one NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in March, there's plenty of open dates at Fontana.

Zucker reportedly made a presentation to IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard over the weekend in Sonoma, although the various parties are not confirming the meeting. Zucker didn't venture alone, but with the support of both ISC and Auto Club.

The most logical date for an IndyCar race in Fontana would be a season finale in September or early October. That would give the track plenty of separation from its NASCAR date.

In addition, the race could be run on Saturday evening, finishing under the lights. Such a move would not clash with the NFL on Sunday and be best for fans should weather present a problem.

At this point, it's all speculation and conjecture. The only solid piece is that Zucker is hustling to try and fill her track's race calendar. LA Daily News