- IndyCar may explore alternative venues in Texas
- COTA could be under consideration in future
IndyCar is not guaranteed to return to Texas Motor Speedway (TMS) in 2025, according to Penske Entertainment president and chief executive Mark Miles.
TMS will be absent from the IndyCar schedule for the first time since 1997 despite being in the middle of a multi-year deal.
The circuit dropped off the 2024 calendar after the two parties were unable to reach an agreement on a date, but it was assumed conversations would continue for next season. IndyCar president Jay Frye told BlackBook Motorsport that “it seems like it’s just a pause”.
“The first thing is you saw how late it was before we knew what dates could be available at the Texas Motor Speedway for 2024,” Miles told Motorsport.com.
“I don’t have any new news or inclinations or insights about 2025 and the Texas Motor Speedway. We obviously have a relationship there and a lot of history and when we can learn anything, we’re eager to learn about what’s possible.”
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Miles added: “We also think Texas is an important market and don’t want to have all our eggs in one basket.
“So, if there were other options and we and Texas Motor Speedway just doesn’t come together, then it would be smart for us to see what else is out there.”
In terms of other options in Texas, the most high-profile move would be to the Circuit of The Americas (COTA). IndyCar may also opt to create a street circuit, as the series has done for its new season finale in Nashville.
Attendances had struggled at TMS, despite a ‘double-digit percentage increase’ last season. A move to a new venue could be a useful refresh for the series, as well as maximising the large Hispanic audience in the state for Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward.