IndyCar Media Day 2013: AJ Allmendinger does not want to see a second IndyCar Series race at Indianapolis

LEEDS, Ala. - AJ Allmendinger does not want to see Indianapolis Motor Speedway host a second IndyCar Series race. The question stemmed from a ‘Motorsports Strategy’ report commissioned by IndyCar and was carried out by the independent Boston Consulting Group.

The report suggested that IndyCar would benefit by running its season finale at Indianapolis -- either at the circuit’s road course or on the oval, possibly at night. IndyCar is not required to follow its suggestions.

Allmendinger has an Indy car background, previously competing in the Champ Car World Series before joining NASCAR in 2007 but he never had a chance to compete in the Indianapolis 500. This May will provide his first opportunity to qualify for the race, and he’ll do it in a Penske-powered DW12.

Allmendinger has spent the last six seasons in NASCAR where the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series makes two trips to its most-prestigious track - Daytona International Speedway. But Allmendinger doesn’t draw the same comparisons and worries that a second race at the Brickyard would dilute the tradition of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

“You have to be careful about the idea of running at Indianapolis twice,” Allmendinger said. “You risk losing all the prestige of it. What makes Indy, Indy is you go there for what used to be a month, and now a couple of days, and it’s down to just that one race. The series would really have to look at whether people come out for it or does it just lose the luster off the 500.”

Allmendinger would rather entertain ideas that would see IndyCar expand to new tracks in the future. He understands that it has to make sense for both sides but Allmendinger is completely sure that returning to Indianapolis is not the solution.

“In my opinion, there’s no reason to go to Indianapolis twice,” Allmendinger said. “I think what it looks like is you need to go to places that don’t have a race. Whether it’s an oval or a street race or a road course -- get that city excited about that race... Me, I wouldn’t want to go to Indy twice, whether it’s a road course or another oval race.

“You win the Indy 500, you’re in victory lane there and one person gets to say that every year -- there’s no reason for a second opportunity.”