The "500" Under The Lights?

[GoFaster]

I read a story on ESPN that the 500 may be on Monday night under the lights by '04

[macdaddy]

Indy? No way. On a Monday? I can't see it being run at night anyway. Half of the show is pre-race.

[racer69]

I read the same thing. While it may make more economic sense to put it on a Monday night, with all the tradirion etc... i couldn't see them doing it. It just wouldn't be right, wouldn't feel right, i think

[macdaddy]

With a race on Monday night, people would have to start booking time off work. Because Monday is a holiday, that is not necessary now.

[Dave S]

I assume you mean the 'commentary' by Joke Aroo? You actually give weight to ANYTHING that guy says? They'll never do it. Hell, Gomer has to be back at 'The Home' by sundown.

[fordtc87]

remember this is Tony George we are talking about!!!

[Russfeld]

Saturday night would make more sense.

[marcus]

i'd rather that didnt happen at all , I know TG has gone against tradition in many ways but him doing this would be just to far out there , hopefully it doesnt happen

[Muzza]

Hello, Folks.

Actually the IRL is indeed considering running two races in Indianapolis per season.

One would be of course the Indy 500, the other a night race. It is unlikely that it would happen in 2004 - 2005 is a more probable date.

Nothing has been debated so far about a possible Monday date. This is smoke-screen. The event might be used as a "grand finale" - it would be the season-ender.

We may or may not like Tony George, but we have to recognize that he is quite smart - and bold. He realized that the IRL is a one-trick poney, as it revolves around the Indy 500 and nothing less, so he is aiming to extract and transfer as much profile from the Brickyard as possible and transfer it to the series.

After all, it is called the Indy Racing League...

Cheers,

[marcus]

thanks for clearing that up for us Muzza , if thats the case then good stuff I say , if its a second race to be held under lights then fine but not the 500 in my view.

also does this raise another issue of bringing the importance of Indy down at all ??? I mean 2 races there in one year might just bring the significance of the 500 down a little bit and Indy being a special place and all, I dunno just something that popped into my head as I was typing this.