Hmmm. Every major track MAKES room for the series they want, in my experience....

 

There is back story on the original date. I'm not sure why they didn't make room.

 

Yep

 

From Autosport: The removal of Watkins Glen for Portland is the only change to last year's schedule. Watkins Glen had been added to the 2016 calendar when a planned street race in Boston fell through but it has suffered poor attendance for the last two years.

While 2016's low crowd was put down to the track's late call-up to replace Boston, it has not been retained for '18 following another low turnout this season.

 

Too bad. Next years cars should provide quite a show....

 

Tough for Indy to come back when the fan:driver ratio was about 1:1.

 

I wonder why they struggled with attendance. Was it scheduling? Lack of promotion??

 

Road America was packed two years in a row for Indycar. Already testing the new car there:

http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/14...r-testing-role

 

Pretty detailed story in our local paper (Binghamton Press).

According to the article, is was mutual. Both sides having issue with date. Same weekend as NYS fair, also Labor Day, etc.

Article implied both sides open to returning Indy to the Glen.

 

I attended both IndyCar races at RA.
2016 was packed, biggest crowd I have ever seen at RA since I began attending in 1960.
2017 was significantly less but still a large crowd.
Weather maybe?-Richard

 

That's OK--potentially more open dates for track days for us mere mortals

Gary