IndyCar CEO Mark Miles: Challenges make an IndyCar-NASCAR doubleheader a ‘longshot’

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IndyCar at Texas Motor Speedway: 8:45 p.m. Saturday, NBCSN

INDIANAPOLIS — Over the past few months the once wild idea of a NASCAR-IndyCar doubleheader has been percolating throughout the motorsports industry as executives from both series have publicly acknowledged discussing the concept. 

But earlier this week, Mark Miles poured some cold water over the sizzling hot stove of rumors. The Hulman & Co. CEO characterized the idea of a same-weekend racing event co-hosted by North America’s top sanctioning bodies “a longshot.” 

“I’m not opposed to it, but I don’t know if I feel like there is a lot of momentum (behind it),” Miles told The Indianapolis Star. “It’s certainly not a new idea. I haven’t had any direct conversations with (NASCAR) about it recently, so we’re not any closer to getting it done than we were previously.

“I think making it happen is a bit of a longshot.”

Miles went on to underscore the many challenges of lining up such an event, not the least of which is sorting out “positioning” equitable to both series.

When it was suggested the series that raced first might struggle to avoid the appearance of serving as an opening act for the other, Miles replied, “How the two series would be positioned and perceived during a combined weekend will matter.

“I don’t know if that’s about going first. Maybe it is. But it might not be that one has to be Saturday and one has to be Sunday.”

Mark Miles, CEO, Hulman & Company, prefers traditional TV rather than going full digital with IndyCar’s broadcast partners. (Photo: Matt Kryger / IndyStar)

Still, even if both sides agreed on comfortable positioning, the complications of organizing a combined weekend stretch beyond big brother-little brother perceptions.

While IndyCar remains keen on adding some international races to its slate, the series is not interested in expanding its current crop within the United States, Miles said. So a doubleheader would most likely have to align with an event already on its calendar. Currently, IndyCar and NASCAR’s various series share the road at a handful of tracks including Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway, Iowa Speedway, Road America, Gateway Motorsports Park and Pocono Raceway.

The list shrinks to just IMS, Texas and Pocono when aligning IndyCar with NASCAR’s Cup Series, though Pocono’s future on the IndyCar calendar remains in jeopardy as IndyCar and the track have yet to reach a contract extension beyond August’s ABC Supply 500. If Pocono were to fall off the schedule, it’s possible another shared speedway could take its place. Miles acknowledged IndyCar has recently engaged in discussions with Richmond Raceway.

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He also nixed the idea of IMS hosting a doubleheader. 

Miles scoffed at the notion of conducting a third IndyCar race at the Racing Capital of the World, definitively stating that is not in the series’ plans. He also made clear that neither the IndyCar Grand Prix nor Indianapolis 500 would be interested in sharing their weekends with NASCAR or moving off their dates on the IndyCar calendar.

To that end, Miles refutes reports that any serious talks have taken place as to what venue might host an IndyCar-NASCAR doubleheader.

“I think all of that is just speculation,” he said when asked about the potential of a doubleheader at Texas. “(Talks) have not gotten that far.”

Texas Motor Speedway is one of just a handful of tracks that host both NASCAR and IndyCar races. (Photo: Jerome Miron, USA TODAY Sports)

Even if IndyCar were determined to make a combined event happen, Miles said, he isn’t sure NASCAR would share the same desire. Though executives, including NASCAR President Steve Phelps, have publicly said there’s some interest in exploring the ideas, Miles thinks series management is more focused on condensing its calendar, not expanding it.

“I just don’t know their considerations and I don’t want to speak for them,” Miles said. “But if they’re trying not to go back to any number of tracks twice, if you’re a promoter, you could say, ‘Let’s do something combined,’ but then NASCAR is there twice. So I’m not sure how the goals NASCAR is trying to achieve affect the idea of a combined weekend.”

Miles concedes that NBC, which exclusively owns IndyCar’s broadcast rights along with the final 20 races on the NASCAR calendar, has expressed interest in exploring the idea of a doubleheader with the two series. The network’s goal of becoming the “home of motorsports” is well-documented and its executives are always keen on cross-promotion, Miles said.

Still, making the sponsorship work at the track and on TV would be a massive hurdle to clear.

“In this example we’re dreaming up — each series has sponsors,” Miles said. “Do they conflict? Are they complementary? It’s not so easy to change out all of the signage and all the promotion between races. Think about the advance promotion of an event with different sponsors. Sponsorship is meaningful. The broadcast matters. Yes, this idea is likely easier in the second half of the NASCAR season than the beginning. But remember, the schedules haven’t been worked on previously with combining an event in mind. In fact, we’ve tried to reduce overlap.”

Furthermore, finding the the right venue will be challenging, Miles added. A promoter would have to be convinced that it can rake in more money on one weekend versus two. Maybe it’s possible, he said, but it would be tough.  

While Miles acknowledges the idea is drumming up some excitement in the motorsports community and he  is encouraged by it, he doesn’t see a doubleheader in the near future as very likely, nor does he view it as a top priority.

“Under the right conditions, it would be helpful,” Miles said. “But I don’t think it’s a high priority for us. We’re focused on improving our schedule and continuing to grow our events. If this has a role in that, then great. 

“So it’s not something we’re against doing, but it’s much easier said than done.”

Follow IndyStar Motorsports Insider Jim Ayello on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram: @jimayello. 

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