When it comes to auto racing, the words “Elite” and “Speedway” don’t usually belong in the same sentence. But in case you weren’t aware, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is home to the annual IndyCar Series, which is considered to be one of the four major leagues of auto racing. And it operates one of the most iconic sports venues in the world – the Brickyard. So when the NBA announced that it was moving its all-star game to an NBA campus in Indianapolis, Indiana, it was the perfect opportunity to highlight this fact.
It was also announced that the game would be played at the end of the season, so that the participating players could better prepare for the following year. While this is a hugely positive move for the game, the fact is that it won’t exactly do wonders for the attendance at the Brickyard. Especially since the majority of IndyCar fans will be able to watch the game live on television.
For decades, the Brickyard and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway have been synonymous with motorsport, and it’s still considered to be one of the greatest venues in the world. But since the track closed down following the 2019 season, it’s been forced to rethink its identity. Here’s a quick look at what happened, and why the future of IndyCar at the Brickyard is uncertain.
The Last IndyCar Race At The Brickyard
For years, the Brickyard and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway have been synonymous with motorsport, and it’s still considered to be one of the greatest venues in the world. Since the track closed down following the 2019 season, it’s been forced to rethink its identity. Here’s a quick look at what happened, and why the future of IndyCar at the Brickyard is uncertain.
Moving To NBA Campuses
Since the inception of the NBA during the fall of 1946, all-stars have played at the home of the Indianapolis Colts. But with that, the league has gradually transitioned to playing its all-star games in different cities and venues. The last one was played in Indianapolis back in 2019, and since then, the NBA has booked the return of its all-star weekend to Brooklyn, Los Angeles, and next year, Charlotte.
Now, it’s being reported that the NBA is looking to continue the trend by moving its all-star game to an NBA campus. And while teams and players have already started to explore the idea of playing some home games during the season, the fact remains that none of these cities are exactly ideal for hosting major sporting events. From an NBA standpoint, playing a home game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indiana isn’t exactly appealing.
Finances And Seating Capacity
Another reason why the NBA is looking to move its all-star to an NBA campus is that the league wants to cut costs. As a result, playing the game at the venue that is most convenient for the participating teams is usually a no-go. In this case, it’s not just the cost of traveling to Indianapolis that is a concern, but the fact that there’s only a certain number of parking spaces available for VIPs and others who want to attend the game as spectators. Naturally, the interest of the owners of the participating teams is that they maximize revenue, so they can continue to operate in the near future. However, the growing popularity of esports also has something to do with it.
Attendance Is Declining
The last two years have been rough for the Brickyard and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. For the first time in the venue’s history, it didn’t qualify for the NASCAR playoffs in 2018, and it recorded its lowest attendance in a decade in 2019. Naturally, this is partially due to the fact that fewer people are watching television in the age of Netflix. But it’s also because the 2019 season was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And it’s safe to assume that fewer and fewer people are itching to get back out there and enjoy themselves once the season starts up again. It’ll be interesting to see if and when the next race will be held at the Brickyard following the pandemic.
Now, this doesn’t mean that the Brickyard is a total loss. Due to its rich history and the fact that it already has an established esports scene, it’ll be hosting a number of virtual events in the coming months as part of its relaunch – from watch parties to league tournaments. And who knows, maybe an international soccer match or two.
In a perfect world, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway would still be home to the Indianapolis Colts and the NBA. And for as long as those two sports are located in Indianapolis, it’ll continue to be a Mecca for motorsport fans. But until then, at least the city will have a number of other sports and entertainment venues to call its own.