IndyCar: The trouble with the Dual in Detroit

By Diana Rice | Jun 3, 2018

DETROIT, MI - JUNE 01: Takuma Sato of Japan, driver of the #14 A. J. Foyt Enterprises Dallara Honda (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images) /

Is it a good idea for IndyCar to return to Belle Isle for a doubleheader again in the 2019 season? Let’s weigh the options.

If you take a look at all the tracks the IndyCar goes to, the street course on Belle Isle in Detroit, Michigan would have to be one of the most troublesome. The turbulent history surrounding this event is quite astonishing.

It started out back in 1982 in another part of the city hosting Formula 1 races. The drivers hated how rough the streets were along with the lack of passing zones. The fans also disliked the lack of action. So after 1988, Formula 1 left Detroit for good.

A similar, smaller, series then picked up the event in 1989. This series was known as CART. But even the CART drivers complained about lack of visibility, lack of passing and generally terrible road conditions.

Eventually, in 1992, the event was moved to Belle Isle. Things did not get much better. The drivers still complained about how narrow the track was, and they again complained about the lack of passing. However, the roads were an improvement as they were less bumpy. Long story short, after 2001, CART let the contract expire and would not return to Belle Isle.

Roger Penske came to the rescue in 2008 with IndyCar, but it would be short-lived. The race ended up being canceled after the 2009 season. It would not show up again until 2012. Since 2013, it has been a doubleheader weekend where there have been two different qualifying sessions and two different races. However, drivers receive full points for both races.

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With all of that history, it’s interesting that no one has given up on this event. There is a determination to make it work, somehow, every year. Looking at last year, it may be finally paying off. Attendance was up 6%, and the sponsorship number was up from 74 to 77. I’m not sure on the numbers for this year yet, but it will be very interested to see them.

Even though there is a bit of optimism, the future of this race is very much up in the air. IndyCar’s contract with Belle Isle expires at the end of the second race at the track in 2018, which is set to be held later today. There have been several conservative groups in Detroit holding town meetings to discuss the economics, and a lot of people in Belle Isle no longer want the race to take place in their park.

The question we need to ask ourselves is this: would we miss these races if they were no longer on the schedule? Is the fact that they are held the weekend right after the Indianapolis 500 not giving the teams and drivers enough time to prepare? The races are held on a bumpy street circuit that is hard on both cars and drivers, so are they races that we can do without? Probably.

In racing, history is held onto like gold bullion. Because of the history of automobiles in Detroit, we should always maintain a race there. But can you imagine a doubleheader at Watkins Glen, or what about on the streets of Denver or Las Vegas? There are a lot of fantastic street courses that CART used to go to that I believe this new IndyCar can handle.

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I, personally, would not miss the races at Detroit. There are not a lot of passing opportunities and, quite frankly, a lot of cars get destroyed by drivers trying to create passing opportunities. It gets expensive and can be a logistical nightmare. I say bring us something new. Or, if you like holding onto the past, bring back an old track on a different date to have the doubleheader weekend.