GP of Arlington President Miller bullish over occasion’s long-term future

Grand Prix of Arlington President Invoice Miller is bullish over the long-term way forward for the occasion within the IndyCar Sequence.

Whereas it isn’t a shock for a promoter to tout their very own horn, it sends a unique form of assertion when the inaugural occasion is a bit over two months away.

This may really feel like historical past repeating itself for IndyCar followers – and possibly even some within the paddock – as pushing a brand new occasion in a brand new location is, effectively, nothing new. There was hype round placing a race within the coronary heart of Nashville, operating by way of a number of the metropolis’s well-known streets and throughout the Korean Veterans Memorial Bridge. It was full with live shows to bolster the thrill and vitality, and it labored from 2021-23. Then it didn’t.

Even with the expectation of a revised circuit structure to accommodate building of a brand new $2.1 billion NFL stadium for the Tennessee Titans, the occasion was moved to Nashville Superspeedway, a 1.33-mile oval situated roughly 45 minutes away in Lebanon.

Though the racing has been spectacular at Nashville Superspeedway, that was clearly removed from the unique plan. And it stays undetermined if IndyCar will return to downtown Nashville after the stadium building is anticipated to be completed by February 2027.

To convey it full circle, the 14-turn, 2.73-mile non permanent road circuit in Arlington sweeps proper by way of the Leisure District that holds stadiums for the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys and MLB’s Texas Rangers.

And contemplating all of that, in an unique interview with Motorsport.com Miller was requested how followers can belief the race in Arlington gained’t endure the identical pitfalls as Nashville and find yourself again at Texas Motor Speedway, which hosted IndyCar racing from 1997-2023.

“From all the elements that we all know now, the dedication is to this space,” Miller mentioned.

Miller pointed to the trouble of companions which are supporting the occasion with Penske Leisure, particularly the Dallas Cowboys and REV Leisure, the official occasions companion of the Texas Rangers.

“It is constructing an occasion anchored round their properties and their services,” Miller mentioned. “That is the place within the iteration of this three way partnership between Penske, Cowboys, REV, that is the place the place it’s. You have a look at the organizations which are placing it on, the mind belief behind them and the dedication to delivering a fantastic expertise, they’ve the enterprise acumen of, ‘that is what we’re seeking to do.’ I believe followers ought to have the boldness that these organizations will be delivering a fantastic product for years.”

The energy of the partnerships overruns something Nashville had as a launching pad throughout its formation.

Dallas Cowboys proprietor Jerry Jones (left) with Josef Newgarden (proper).

Picture by: Penske Leisure

Miller, who additionally beforehand served as president of California Speedway throughout his greater than three many years within the motorsports business, believes creating pop-up occasions in city areas is one other a part of the game’s evolution.

“While you let’s take a look at what they’ve accomplished with Texas Motor Speedway – I used to be there for the primary (NASCAR) race, we have been constructing Fontana whereas they have been getting going – however relative to being part of opening services, they helped take motorsports to a unique stage,” Miller mentioned.

“As California got here on-line, as Texas Motor Speedway and the constructing increase of everlasting services, they did an distinctive job. The on-track product is outstanding. I believe the game has advanced, although, too. Not away from everlasting services, however along with these city racing cultural occasions which you can create in areas that are not a everlasting facility.

“This recipe is ideal within the sense that you have these superior backdrops as a canvas, and that is what brings in regards to the distinction between our venue and you may possibly say Texas Motors Speedway. However you can too say different areas (like) Michigan Speedway and Downtown Detroit, two completely completely different merchandise and those who admire motorsports love them each.

“There are some purists that love one versus the opposite, but it surely offers you that chance to convey that city cultural middle right into a motorsports circuit versus possibly a everlasting facility that typically will be more difficult.”

The measure of whether or not Arlington is a hit or not goes effectively past the beginning, however fairly longevity.

With that, Miller understands the necessity for fixed progress to the fan expertise, in addition to the rivals and media. One other aspect is recognizing the wants of the companions, together with the Metropolis of Arlington and its residents.

“If we will develop a recipe that we’re all successful on this, you may have an occasion that has longevity,” Miller mentioned.

Making a brief road occasion final on the IndyCar schedule can be nothing new, with the likes of St. Petersburg having been run for over twenty years, the Grand Prix of Lengthy Seaside a fixture in motorsports since 1975, in addition to Detroit regardless of pivoting between Belle Isle to Downtown.

“If all people does their job effectively, someone might be standing right here 50 years from now saying that was a hell of a journey like (Grand Prix Affiliation of Lengthy Seaside President and CEO) Jim Michaelian received to do at Lengthy Seaside final yr,” Miller mentioned. “While you have a look at it, 5 many years of placing up and tearing him down and placing up and tearing down a brief circuit that the neighborhood rallies round, that is a reasonably highly effective factor. Go throughout a panorama of any sport that has had 50 years of one thing like that, after which take the complexity of it. It is simply not going to a stadium and having an occasion and let’s come again 50 years from now.

“That kind of magic is fairly cool, however you have to have that purchase in all people throughout, and that is what we’re making an attempt to create now.”

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– The Motorsport.com Crew