Could Portland become a street race?

We spoke to Portland race promoter Mike Nealy in Long Beach Friday. He said things were looking pretty good for their race this year. Champ Car will be testing there May 1st and 2nd and he hopes to get a number of fans out for that. "Champ Car is helping us out more now by making themselves available to us when we need them." We asked him what was the status of the track upgrade or the new track that some people wanted in Portland. "The city does not have the money for a new track," said Nealy. "As far as upgrades we will be making some after this year's race including some repaving."

We quizzed him whether a street race in Portland might make more sense. "I would love to promote a street race downtown," said Nealy. "It would be nice right along the waterfront. The problem is the upfront cost (for the walls, fences and grandstands) that we don't have now. I tried to get the head of transportation for the City here (Long Beach) but he was not available. If the city was going to build a new track then for sure the cost would be less to do a street race. Maybe someday."