More stock cars coming to Indy to dilute IndyCar

A new motorsports series may be coming to an arena near you—and soon.

MZD, a local advertising agency which has a division specializing in franchising, has been hired by Arena Racing USA to find operators of the series here in Indianapolis.

MZD officials are in the process of talking to the folks with the Pepsi Coliseum at the Indiana State Fairgrounds and Conseco Fieldhouse. Those talks have yet to heat up, but already, Rick Fuson, who is in charge of Fieldhouse operations for Pacers Sports & Entertainment, loves the idea.

Arena Racing was founded in Virginia, and has been very popular there and in Grand Rapids, Mich. It is expanding to the heart of NASCAR country (Charlotte, NC) next year, and series founders also want it in Indianapolis in 2011.

The stock car series runs 15 races per year on a 1/8-mile portable aluminum track. The cars are one-half the size of a NASCAR ride. The races can best be described as part oval racing, part smash-up derby.

Though the series has no official affiliation with NASCAR, there are plenty of connections.

NASCAR team owner Joe Gibbs, drivers Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin and J.J. Yeley, and Interstate Battery are investors. The series was started by Bob Keane and Ricky Dennis, son of 1970 NASCAR rookie of the year Bill Dennis.

Home Depot, Hoosier Tire, Stihl and the U.S. Army, among others, have signed on as sponsors.

“I’m a firm believer in this," Gibbs said. “It provides great competition at a time of year when motorsports is typically dormant. Plus, it’s a cost-effective way to get started in racing." IBJ.com