Just a couple of questions?
1. Has Iowa been a sellout in the past?
2. Was it a sellout tonight?
3. How bad did the rain affect the crowd?
4. Would putting in more seating make it an even bigger event or just bring empty seats?
Just a couple of questions?
1. Has Iowa been a sellout in the past?
2. Was it a sellout tonight?
3. How bad did the rain affect the crowd?
4. Would putting in more seating make it an even bigger event or just bring empty seats?
To do something well is so worthwhile that to die trying to do it better cannot be foolhardy. - Bruce McLaren
Ryan Briscoe 2
James Hinchcliffe 27
To the best of my knowledge
1. Yes
2. I'm not sure, but if it wasn't it was close.
3. Some, obviously, but the place was pretty packed in. I didn't notice any large empty swaths, but it seemed like it took a few laps to fill in completely.
4. See Kentucky Speedway.
I sat near the ABC Supply people. There were a few empty seats around us. They mentioned that some of their tickets were not being used. I do not know if weather was a factor. Most everywhere else I could see looked close to full. Overall knowledgable crowd. They reminded me of a Texas crowd with their knowledge.
Considering the weather just prior to the start of the race, the crowd was amazing. Normally any kind of chance of rain kills the walk up crowd. Those folks didn't seem to mind at all. A definite keeper of a venue IMO. Reminds me of the crowds that Nashville used to draw.
There were about 2,000 tickets remaining on Ticketmaster as of Thursday afternoon.
It's tough to know how many of the overall ticket distribution included freebies that went unused for any number of reasons (including weather).
All of that is submitted with neutrality and no additional commentary.
Cancer sucks.
It looked great on tv.
30,000 looks great at Iowa and sparse at Sparta.
"Turn right to go left" Doc Hudson
Yes, every race has been a sellout or 'near' sellout. I dont think the rain had any factor on the attendance. Rain was predicted a few days in advance, so everyone with a ticket was aware of a potential delay, which was a non-factor in my opinion.
For the 1st Nationwide race, Iowa Speedway had just over 50,000 in attendance, but they used 'temporary' seating. They have set up the facility to add 30,000 more permanent seats, so I suppose if the demand is there, they will build permanent grandstands, however I dont think it will lead to many more butts in the seats for Indycar in the short term.....By the way, the Spring Nationwide race at Iowa Speedway had less than 30,000 now that they have saturated the market with 2 taxi cab races per year, plus ARCA.
The race may have been a sell-out, but there were a ton of empty seats.
Indy, Cleveland, Mid-Ohio, Pocono, Michigan, Long Beach, Watkins Glen, Kentucky, IRP - 49
We were packed in like sardines in my section with a few open spots down low, but never saw a ton of empties, just maybe a few kilos...Originally Posted by Since83
Must be very good corporate dollars sustaining this event's sanctioning fee on the Trail. Nashville was very comparable in seating and attendance and was dropped as they couldn't afford the higher Fees. Then again it seems DDE screws up everything they touch Indy related...
Natural Born Cynic
What irks me (maybe its too soon for the truth), DW was a 16-oval WIN specialist, yet the vast majority those boohooing for him, hardcarders & fans, alike are the same ones trying to kill anything with more than 9 deg banking & 4 corners, where Dan ultimately made his home...
Sparta hasn't had 30 in many years.
Wanker!
One of the overhead shots showed a large number of empties, for whatever reason. It was a bit surprising, and it's too bad more people couldn't have witnessed great racing.
I just hope it was profitable for the track and series. Ultimately, that's what matters.
I have only been to every INDYCAR/IRL race at Iowa.
Yes it was a sellout in the first few years and they had temporary seating.
It was not sold out and the parking didn't extend as far as it did when it was sold out.
Rain didn't stop anyone from buying a ticket, the morning news said the morning showers would clear out. There were some people leaving during the rain, as I sat in the car but only a few.
As I said they used to add temporary seats, which they may still do for their Nationwide races. Remember they have two Nationwide an tow truck races. They do sell season tickets but not all the seats get sold that way. I would say some season tickets for the IICS race don't get used. They would have no reason to add seats that they could only sell for two of the races on the schedule and if you look at it they have one of the fullest Summer schedules of any major track.
Should NASCAR ever decide to give them a Cup race, due to some sponsor demanding it would be the only way I see it short of a fundamental change by NASCAR, they would double the seating and the IICS race would look like it was playing to a half empty grandstand. They get what they get for INDYCAR, I think the two day double header would draw slightly more total but fewer people for each race.
Either way if you can get there go to Iowa.
"You can't arrest those guys, they're folk heroes"
"They're criminals"
"Well most folk heroes started out as criminals"
I think people would probably trust the water falling on their heads at 7 p.m. more than what the weather guy said at 7 a.m.
Last edited by Ren Butler; 06-25-2012 at 01:23 PM.
Considering everything, the crowd was amazing. Everyone should put Iowa on their "bucket list" but I admit, I like daytime racing--easier to watch track and pit action. Yes, Iowa Speedway does everything right from spotless bathrooms to great trams between the grandstands and pits.
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