I would argue that Tri City would actually work better as a venue for the Champ Cars under the new configuration. The 1/2 mile was too narrow, and the banking on the new track would allow the big Silver Crown cars too build up the momentum they need to put on a good show.

Don't get me wrong, I like the big miles, but that's part of their problem: They're big. It seems like the cars are racing in another county when they're on the back stretch.

And if Tri City would work for these cars, why don't we throw Lawrenceburg into the discussion? Both tracks have adequate grandstands to support a large crowd, and both are relatively near metropolitian areas.

(The only thing about Tri City would be that USAC would have to put their foot down and insist that Kevin Gundaker didn't try to run a gazillion support classes to pad the back gate, thereby insuring that the headliner race doesn't hit the track till midnight or later. He is getting notorious for doing that kind of thing.)