Is there a chance IndyCar regains its senses and returns to Fontana?

IndyCar put on the greatest race in the history of open-wheel motorsports at Fontana last year, but it was too exciting so they won't be back

There is more than one Indy car fan in Southern California, or in the West for that matter, that hopes the IndyCar Series comes to its senses and returns to Auto Club Speedway in Fontana now that Boston has opted not to hold a Labor Day race.

The inaugural street race in Boston was set for Sept. 8 but the city fathers and race promoters just couldn’t reach an agreement. What started as a grand venture, it ended with both sides angry at the other.

It really shouldn’t have come as a surprise as Boston’s bid for the 2024 Olympics also quickly vanished less than a year ago.

So, what now? Race organizers say there are two cities which would welcome such a race, despite the small time frame. Just the same, many open-wheel fans hope the series will return to Fontana and resume its history of outstanding races.

It’s good bet, under the right agreement, the Fontana track could host such a race and attract a decent crown. Of course the series will point to the June 2015 race that didn’t attract much more than 20,000 fans. However, that was the direct result of IndyCar not wanting to compete after Labor Day and moving the race for the fourth time in four years.

IndyCar should give serious consideration to ending its season in Fontana. Whether CART or IndyCar, season finales at ACS produced good crowds, and it would again. The track was built specifically for open-wheel racers and is home to not only the fastest lap ever, but also the fastest race, an IndyCar Series race no less.

However, we don’t expect the sanctioning body to act sensible and make its fans happy. … Louis Brewster/Inland Valley Bulletin