Does sparse crowd spell doom for the Pocono 500? (Update)

UPDATE "We can't go three years losing money. It's a business and you just can't do that" — Brandon Igdalsky Pocono Raceway president and CEO Brandon Igdalsky.

Quote interpretation: Either IndyCar significantly reduces its sanctioning fee for the Pocono 500, or the race will not be on the 2016 IndyCar schedule. Period.

Will a sparse crowd of maybe 15,000 be enough to save this race?

08/23/15 Thousands of IndyCar fans descended upon the Pocono Raceway Sunday for the ABC Supply 500.

However, Sunday might be the last time that happens.

IndyCar came back to Pocono Raceway in 2013 after a more than 20 year hiatus. This race is the last year under contract between the league and the track. Right now, it's unclear if this relationship will continue.

The sights and sounds of IndyCar bring in tens of thousands of people at Pocono Raceway. But ticket sales for IndyCar races are generally nothing like when NASCAR is in town.

"From what I hear, Indy is winding down and I might not have another opportunity to come here so I thought I would come out and enjoy an afternoon of racing," said Darlene DeBiasi of Duryea.

Pocono Raceway CEO Brandon Igdalsky says there's a 50/50 chance IndyCar will return to the tricky triangle next year. It's just a question of does it make financial sense with IndyCar attendance struggling across the county.

And that's got fans new and old nervous about what's next.

"It's just a lot of fun and this area needs a little bit more of opportunities and I think this is a great one," added DeBiasi.

"It means I'm going to have to go to Watkins Glen to watch the IndyCars," said Bobby Otto of Laceyville [Editor's Note: Watkins Glen is gone too, another failed IndyCar race]. "I hope they come back I think it's good for the area and if more people came, they wouldn't have that to worry about."

But fans also said while they want attendance higher, there's something nice and intimate about IndyCar.

"Other professional sports, you don't get so close. You don't get so close to the cars, you get to meet the drivers, you get to go out on pit road. This is such an incredible experience," said Nikki Trieste of Uniondale.

The Pocono Raceway CEO adds that there's a lot of time and discussions to be had before they need to make a decision on whether or not IndyCar will return to the Poconos next year. WNEP.com