Beyond the Flag
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Top Five U.S. Venues For IndyCar in 2017

By Alex Herbst

Jul 10, 2016; Newton, IA, USA; Verizon Indy Car driver Helio Castroneves (3) heads into turn three during the Iowa Corn 300 at Iowa Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 10, 2016; Newton, IA, USA; Verizon Indy Car driver Helio Castroneves (3) heads into turn three during the Iowa Corn 300 at Iowa Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /
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Scary? Perhaps. But competitive? You bet. The final Auto Club race for IndyCar was controversial, but should it have been dropped?
Scary? Perhaps. But competitive? You bet. The final Auto Club race for IndyCar was controversial, but should it have been dropped? /

3. Auto Club Speedway

One of the most high-profile departures from the IndyCar schedule was the dropping of Auto Club Speedway in 2015.

This move came after one of the most competitive (and potentially dangerous) races there, with a crazy airborne wreck involving Ryan Briscoe due to tight pack racing. While the 2015 race was a exciting for many, others – including many drivers – felt there was too much risk involved with it.

That and declining attendance were considered to be the reasons for the MAVTV 500 not continuing. However, there are certainly fans that would like to see the race return in the future.

Not only did the race make up the third part of the series’ Triple Crown, it also put a foot in the door for the open-wheel ranks in Southern California and Los Angeles.

While the return to Phoenix in 2016 helps to fill that void, and IndyCar also races in Long Beach and Sonoma, bringing back Auto Club could certainly draw in more fans from California – especially if scheduled later in the summer or beginning of fall to provide some calendar distance from the track’s NASCAR race.

Only time will tell if IndyCar will once again embrace one-and-a-half plus mile ovals widely outside of Texas Motor Speedway. If they do, expect to see Auto Club Speedway on the schedule again.

Next: 2. Portland International Speedway