By Dave Kallman
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
There’s no one opposed, really, to the IndyCar Series racing at Road America.
It’s making reality meet that desire that’s tricky.
If the Elkhart Lake course had been under consideration for the 2009 schedule, it’s not anymore, according to track President George Bruggenthies. As for 2010 . . . well, he is hopeful, anyway.
“We’re in the top 10, probably top five of the tracks looking to be added,” Bruggenthies said Thursday.
“The owners look at finances. The series is expensive to run. It still doesn’t have a title sponsor, as far as I know, and a title sponsor can do a lot for you. The economy needs to turn around.
"But everybody talks about Road America getting on the schedule. It's a team favorite, definitely a driver favorite and a fan favorite."
Many existing IndyCar contracts will expire after next season. It's not yet clear exactly how many of those tracks won't be renewed or exactly how many races will be included on the 2010 schedule.
What hurts Road America's case for inclusion is its location and the limited number of possible dates.
More than half of the 17 venues on the 2008 schedule are in the central United States, including the Milwaukee Mile.
The tourism season in this part of the country leaves about 15 weeks from June 1 through Labor Day in which a race might succeed.
In that span, Road America would have to balance three established and successful events - motorcycles, vintage cars and sports cars - with the uncertainty of the IndyCar Series and try to avoid conflicts with major golf tournaments in Sheboygan County and the state's 800-pound gorilla, the Green Bay Packers.
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