IndyCar: The Five Best International Venues

Japan

It has been nearly five years since IndyCar last raced in Japan. In the wake of the massive 2011 earthquake and tsunami, the series ran their final race at the Motegi course on the road course instead of their traditional event on the oval. The race was dropped from the 2012 calendar, though reportedly not due to the earthquake. But could Honda play a role in the series returning to the land of the rising sun?

Despite the introduction of Chevrolet as an engine competitor in 2012, Honda has remained strongly competitive. They will add Chip Ganassi Racing to their ranks in 2017, and could look forward to their best season since engine competition returned. It is clear that the Japanese marque remains committed to the future of IndyCar, meaning perhaps it’s time to return to their home country.

Of course, Motegi is not the only place that the series could go race in Japan. The Suzuka and Fuji circuits could also be possibilities. However, the FIA may have something to say if IndyCar were to attempt to race at either venue, trying to protect their product in Formula One. They pulled the same maneuver when CART was looking to race in Japan in the late 1980s, and the same could occur again.

The challenge a return Japan would have on the schedule would be the travel time necessary. If it were to be added, it would have to allow extra time ahead of and after the event for the equipment to be shipped, and for the movement of personnel. February would be less than ideal for a race in Japan, being likely too early and too cold for such an event. Perhaps if this race were to return, it would fit better later in the calendar.