Allmendinger questions second IndyCar Race at Indy

UPDATE Obviously, we at AR1, have made clear our views on the subject, and seem to be in the minority.

Now, we have no personal grudge with Allmendinger. We simply disagree with him on this topic, something we have put in print. However, given the fact AR1's opinion seems to be in the minority, We are genuinely curious as to the reasons why, and would welcome input regarding the following questions:

1. How can anyone say a second IndyCar race at IMS is a bad idea when there already is a second (Brickyard), and third race (Moto GP) at the track?

2. Can someone please explain to me how a second IndyCar race at IMS removes the "luster," from the 500, but racing cabs at IndyCar's most sacred ground does not?

3.The mistake so many make is presuming the NASCAR race at Indy will always be around. Remember, the Brickyard was born during an era of Indy car civil war. It helped build the war chest that TG used to bury CART. Now, with IndyCar under one roof, why does IMS persist in allowing NASCAR to invade the Holy Grail of IndyCar?

4. Don't say money. In the days of 250,000 I wouldn't like it, but I'd have no choice but to get on board. But 80,000?

5. Finally, given all of this; given that IMS continues to allow the mortal enemy of IndyCar access to the sport's Holy Grail, how can we reasonably believe Hulman/IMS is at all serious about growing the IndyCar brand?

03/12/13 Apparently AJ Allmendinger did not learn anything about what makes NASCAR a success. One reason is the fact they race twice per year at just about every track, including Daytona, the home of NASCAR. Here are Allmendinger’s comments about a 2nd race at Indy and then we follow that with some closing remarks.

"You have to be careful about the idea of running at Indianapolis twice," Allmendinger said. "You risk losing all the prestige of it. What makes Indy, Indy is you go there for what used to be a month, and now a couple of days, and it's down to just that one race. The series would really have to look at whether people come out for it or does it just lose the luster off the 500."

Allmendinger would rather entertain ideas that would see IndyCar expand to new tracks in the future. He understands that it has to make sense for both sides but Allmendinger is completely sure that returning to Indianapolis is not the solution.

"In my opinion, there's no reason to go to Indianapolis twice," Allmendinger said. "I think what it looks like is you need to go to places that don't have a race. Whether it's an oval or a street race or a road course — get that city excited about that race… Me, I wouldn't want to go to Indy twice, whether it's a road course or another oval race.

"You win the Indy 500, you're in victory lane there and one person gets to say that every year — there's no reason for a second opportunity."

Wrong, wrong and wrong again, just like other journalists who write this BS. They have no real clue about marketing and growing a product, but they are experts because they have a computer and a keyboard.

The fact is that most IndyCar teams are based in Indianapolis. A 2nd race there means zero travel costs for the teams. The biggest fan base for IndyCar is in Indianapolis and the Midwest. Instead of them spending money on a NASCAR race at IMS, they should be spending money on a 2nd IndyCar race. Instead of giving their money to the enemy of IndyCar, they should be giving their money to IndyCar. IndyCar racing went downhill fast the day Tony George allowed NASCAR to race at the brickyard. Indianapolis was no longer the IndyCar Mecca. It became a Taxi Cab Mecca and the IndyCar product was diluted into a fifth-rate product.

NASCAR built its base in the south before it expanded. IndyCar needs to rebuild its product in the core base of its fan base before expanding elsewhere. IndyCar has tried races all over the country – how many have failed because the fan base was not there to support it. NASCAR was smart enough to start small, build a strong core, and then expand step-by-step, state-by-state. Ditto for F1 and its original Europe fan base. And they protected that core not letting anything or anyone infiltrate it. To this day they work hard behind the scenes to kill off any IndyCar race anywhere near one of their tracks.

Until IndyCar realizes they are in a death race with NASCAR, they are going to continue to flounder. Any military strategist will tell you, that when your enemy has you surrounded, you had better protect your supply chain and your core.

IndyCar needs to ignore the Allmendinger’s of the world who have zero clue about building a brand and a product, kick the enemy out of Indy (NASCAR) and solidify their core base with a successful 2nd IndyCar race at IMS. We laugh every time we hear this notion that the Indy 500 should be the only IndyCar race at IMS each year. Perhaps they can learn a lesson from NASCAR, and maybe, just maybe, the Boston Consulting group understands more about marketing and growing a brand then journalists with a keyboard.