NASCAR: If not Nashville, where will NASCAR go for more short track racing?

LEBANON, TN - APRIL 23: Carl Edwards, driver of the #60 Ford DriveOne Ford celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Nationwide Series Nashville 300 at Nashville Superspeedway on April 23, 2011 in Lebanon, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR) /

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INDIANAPOLIS – JULY 24: Eric McClure, driver of the #24 Kroger Ford (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Lucas Oil Raceway

You know what? I don’t understand why NASCAR stopped major series racing at Lucas Oil Raceway anyways. I get what they were going for with the “Super Weekend at the Brickyard.”. But I think it’s time to realize that NASCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway just doesn’t click.

Maybe NASCAR should look into abandoning the Brickyard 400 and heading down the road to Lucas Oil instead, or perhaps going with the doubleheader idea and racing at Lucas Oil on Friday and then at the Brickyard on Sunday. At the very least, just bring the Xfinity Series and Truck Series back to the 0.686-mile short track.

Improvements: The needs are fairly minor compared to the needs when it comes to all of the other tracks discussed in this article. An infield care center with a helipad is the one big need for the Xfinity Series and Truck Series races at the track. For the Cup Series, in addition to this need, the track would need to pave the infield to be better for the haulers. More seating is also needed, but Lucas Oil has a lot of space around it for growth.

What it has going for it: Other than Memphis, Lucas Oil is the best option if the Nashville deal fails. It has hosted Xfinity Series and Truck series races fairly recently (up to 2011), so it already has a SAFER barrier and an adequately sized pit road.

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