Bruggenthies: “IndyCar asking price ‘crazy'”

Road America would seem a slam dunk based on the clamoring between drivers and fans alike to return. But, as track president George Bruggenthies says, there has to be something IndyCar can bring to the table beyond the desire to scarf a double brat at the St. John's stand in the infield.

“We're very open to it, but it's out of my hands," he explained. “My understanding is that Michael Andretti has got an exclusive Wisconsin deal here (with Milwaukee). Until he's happy, there's only gonna be one IndyCar race in Wisconsin. There's nothing I can do about that.

“I've talked to Mr. [Randy] Bernard several times in face-to-face meetings. You've got team owners running the series. I don't know what their future is. Everyone's gotta pay the bills. But he [Andretti] wasn't paying hardly anything for his sanctioning fee this year. I don't know how that goes."

While Bruggenthies denied specifics of what a sports car sanctioning fee is by comparison, he did note IndyCar's number.

“For sports cars, it is confidential, but it is much lower," he said. “But with the IndyCar sanctioning fee, I don't have a contract with them so I can tell you what they're asking. They're asking $2 or $2.2 (million) – and I'm thinking, ‘You guys are crazy! You don't have a TV package worth much (AR1.com calls it the noose around IndyCar's neck – another Tony George deal), and you don't bring anything along that brings revenue – hospitality or a partner.' It does not make sense." More at Racer.com