Baltimore prays race will not fail like others

Baltimore officials are hoping the city's new Izod IndyCar Series race will "succeed where other municipalities have sputtered, signing a five-year deal to stage an event" set to kick off in '11. If the "experience of other U.S. cities is a guide, sustaining the buzz of Baltimore's Grand Prix will be a challenge." Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston and Las Vegas are among the cities that "launched street-circuit races in recent decades amid great fanfare only to see them fall victim to political squabbles, bureaucratic red tape, waning financial support and resentment from local businesses and residents." Baltimore Racing Development Group CEO Jay Davidson said that his group is "close to landing a title sponsor for the race," now operating simply as the Grand Prix of Baltimore. He noted that he is "heartened by what he says has been an enthusiastic response from Baltimore's business community, as well as nearby residents." Davidson also contends that the race "will draw far more than the 100,000 fans projected." WashingtonPost.com