The concept of constructing a ¼-mile asphalt monitor inside a sports activities coliseum appeared unfathomable when NASCAR first introduced its intentions to maneuver its preseason exhibition race to Los Angeles.
However the occasion was well-received within the metropolis and TV scores and attendance had been each up in its first two years from when it was held at Daytona.
Saturday evening’s race received by Denny Hamlin was initially scheduled for Sunday evening however pushed ahead a day in an unprecedented transfer by NASCAR on account of a number of days’ price of extreme climate arriving within the L.A. space.
Regardless of the inconvenience of followers and the last-minute scheduling change on TV, NASCAR was capable of full the race and the companion NASCAR Mexico occasion earlier than the dangerous climate set in.
This was the ultimate 12 months of the unique three-year deal to carry the Conflict in Los Angeles, and whereas NASCAR officers stay noncommittal on its future, many drivers imagine the idea is one which must be frequently explored.
“I applaud NASCAR,” stated driver Kyle Larson. “I feel they’ve pulled this off in an effective way. I might have by no means anticipated the primary 12 months that it could have been as legit as it’s and the ambiance is nice.
“There’s positively a spot for this fashion of occasion, I feel, in our sport, if it strikes round to totally different states or international locations or no matter. They’ve confirmed that they will do it. They’ve confirmed that they will get a crowd.
“I hope they will take this type of mannequin and transfer it round and develop it and try to broaden our fan base some.”
Even with all of the challenges related to this 12 months’s race – tickets weren’t even initially offered for Saturday’s actions – Hamlin praised NASCAR’s effort to uproot its schedule and maintain the race a day early.
“I feel we should always take into account (Saturday evening) successful, solely as a result of if it didn’t occur, I simply didn’t suppose it was going to occur in any respect,” Hamlin stated. “Whereas there can be some folks that had been upset about not having the ability to use their ticket for (Sunday), they weren’t going to make use of it Monday, both, and Tuesday I’m unsure was an possibility.
“This factor was simply going to snowball. This was the one choice to get this factor in, and I’m completely satisfied that NASCAR made unprecedented modifications to ensure that the followers no less than noticed a race.”
A mannequin for use elsewhere?
Hamlin stated he additionally sees the mannequin developed in Los Angeles being utilized elsewhere.
“I feel it was successful. Actually, you possibly can’t argue it from a viewership standpoint,” he stated. “I definitely suppose that it’s obtained benefit in going to totally different locations, however I feel L.A. was superb to us, and I feel we had been good for this group, as properly.
“In the event you go searching on the stands, it’s extra various than what you’ll see at most race tracks.”
Nonetheless, it’s not out of the realm of chance for NASCAR to increase its keep on the L.A. Coliseum.
It has proved a preferred occasion for TV associate Fox Sports activities and the L.A. market stays and not using a frequently scheduled Cup sequence race with the demolition of Auto Membership Speedway in close by Fontana, Calif.
A proposed quick monitor to exchange the 2-mile oval which was situated there has but to obtain last approval, not to mention start development.
Driver Joey Logano believes the Coliseum experiment illustrates NASCAR’s willingness to look past conventional venues to showcase its product.
“The experiment was an amazing success, and we proved that we are able to do it anyplace,” he stated. “Now that we’ve raced at one of the crucial historic stadiums on this planet, it’s fairly cool.
“I feel you possibly can choose this up and place it elsewhere if you happen to wanted to or one thing fully totally different. We’ve performed crazier issues at this level. There’s grime races. There’s little small tracks like this, road races.
“You identify it, we are able to do it.”
