Racing comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, both motor and man-powered, but we’re speaking specifically of professional motorsports and auto racing. While other competitive large markets like Los Angeles and Chicago have tracks designed for IndyCar and NASCAR races, the closest track from downtown New York City would be either Pocono Speedway (104 miles) or Dover International Speedway (162 miles). However, one event at northern New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium might just have been a step in the right direction when it comes to permanently reinstating professional racing –and its culture – in The Big Apple.
Last weekend, for the first time in 22 years, professional dirt bike racing returned to the greater New York area as Monster Energy Supercross held its 16th – and second to last – race of the season.
The world’s best riders competed in front of one of the larger crowds in the sport’s history, with nearly 62,217 fans braving less than optimal weather conditions early on during qualifiers. It might have spooked away some of the expected walk-up ticket sales.
Given the impressive turnout, the exciting racing and the positive reviews, it would come as no surprise if the location became the newest staple of the tour, tapping a basically untouched race market. So, the question is, how long before other motorsports realize the market’s potential and do the same?
Just a couple of years ago Formula One, a sport much more popular in Europe, appeared to be coming to the New York area when it announced a proposal for a race as part of its United States expansion. For whatever reason, the race was dropped from the schedule in consecutive years and although officials remain positive, the likelihood of it happening anytime soon now seems slim. Meanwhile, the biggest motor sport in the nation, NASCAR, doesn’t seem to have any plans of tapping the market.
There isn’t really a track in or around New York City that could handle a race of that magnitude, but if there would be a way to tryout one race as a test run, it could prove huge for the sport. Dirt tracks aren’t hard to find in New York, given several horse racing sites, but most of the old asphalt tracks have long since been dismantled, such as two sites on Long Island.
The American Motorcyclist Association has opened the door, testing a slightly smaller product in front of a market that could be hungry for some form or auto racing, whether it knows it or not.
Your move NASCAR, IndyCar and Formula One.
Ed Miller is a contributor for CraveOnline Sports. You can follow him on Twitter @PhillyEdMiller or “like” CraveOnline Sports on Facebook.
