What will ISW 26 look like?
 

You see from time to time, folks recommending an addition, or sometimes a subtraction from the best Speedweek of the year. With the improvements and subsequent return to Paragon, you would think they will get consideration to join. The resurgence of Montpelier may also enter into the equation. Will IMS be back? How much racing can teams participate in? Not too early to start thinking about it as we’re only a couple months away from PRI where a lot of schedules are announced. What’s your thoughts?

Re: What will ISW 26 look like?
 

Thursday LPS
Friday Circle City
Saturday Lawrenceburg
Sunday Kokomo
Monday OFF
Tuesday IMS
Wednesday Terre Haute
Thursday Paragon
Friday Bloomington
Saturday Tri-State

If Montpelier is interested, maybe a race outside of sprintweek would be worth a try first.

I do hope Paragon returns to the ISW schedule. SUPPOSEDLY, Paragon was contacted about a 2025 date for ISW, but they declined. Maybe the success of the September race will change their mind. I also think that right or wrong, the IMS race will be a full points event in 2026.

As far as car counts, I continue to be concerned about the declining car counts in IN. I think for ISW there will be a peak car count of about 45 and by the time the last race at TSS is held the car count for it will be about 30.

I could be wrong, but I don’t think Montpelier can handle the parking that ISW would bring and second, would think they need bigger grandstands as well. Again, I could be wrong.

Something else to consider, when you get an ISW race, you can’t schedule any sprint race against any ISW race. There’s a lot of cars that don’t run that full week that would rather run a local show one or both of those weekends.

As for car count, I think it was pretty healthy this year at most tracks. You have to remember, only about 15 teams have a national budget and it’s their full time gig. Smaller local teams have to pick and choose their nights and Haubstadt is a special animal. It doesn’t make sense for a number of teams in central IN to drive 3 1/2 hours each way at a track you have to run at quite a bit to get good at. They could move it to the first night and it wouldn’t improve car count much imo

Re: What will ISW 26 look like?
 

I would like to see:

Thursday Montpelier
Friday Kokomo
Saturday Paragon
Sunday Lawrenceburg

Wednesday Terre Haute
Thursday Lincoln Park
Friday Bloomington
Saturday Tri-State

Re: What will ISW 26 look like?
 

Terre Haute and LP back to back is convenient.

Re: What will ISW 26 look like?
 

Old Coyote,

What happened to Circle City? What did they do and deserved for getting axed from sprint week?

A big question will again be the IMS date. The 2026 Brickyard 400 will take place Sunday, July 26. Will USAC and IMS schedule on Thur like they did this year? Who knows.

I think it’s just an oversight. Circle City should stay on before you add Montpelier

Re: What will ISW 26 look like?
 

Originally Posted by flagboy55:
I think it’s just an oversight. Circle City should stay on before you add Montpelier

I've been to Circle City several times and it just never resonated with me. Nothing against the promoter, people, track or ever the racing, the place just never got to me. That's just me.

If it was a choice between Circle City and IMS, I would be all in for Circle City.

Re: What will ISW 26 look like?
 

Time to shake it up a bit. I’ve had conversation with some local people that the magic of ISW is dwindling and getting some what stale. I tend to agree so maybe 26 is the year for change.

Fri - Paragon
Sat- TSS
Sun - THAT
Mon- off
Tues- Burg
Wed- Bloom
Thurs- Circle City
Fri- LPS
Sat- Kokomo

The IMS deal should not be part of ISW as it’s not a normal procedural show. While I’d love all USAC events to be procedurally like IMS, I’m not of the majority. I remember a statement made about Bloomington being part of this since day one and they run Friday so tradition dictates. If tradition is the worst track of the week then I’m again not in the majority. This year was a disgrace. Figure it out for a couple of years then maybe get a prime date again. A lot of folks and teams are burned out at the end of the week and don’t necessarily want to travel to TSS for the finale. That’s unfair to Tommy and his hard working family. I feel the first wknd schedule is logistically worthwhile, gives two hard working tracks a prime nite on first wknd and travel right up 41 for Sunday. As time progresses another shake up could happen to keep it fresh again. I agree with my Indiana friend who never misses an ISW event that change is needed. I’ll get beat up for it but maybe the same old same old is just that.