IndyCar will transfer its September season-ending championship finale from the downtown streets of Nashville to the superspeedway in Lebanon, Tennessee, due to building surrounding the Tennessee Titans’ new stadium, organizers introduced Wednesday.
Huge Machine Label Group chairman and founder Scott Borchetta mentioned he’s now overseeing the IndyCar race, which in its fourth operating was made the Sept. 15 season finale. The Huge Machine Music Metropolis Grand Prix has been a smashing success because the occasion raced down decrease Broadway and used the Korean Veterans Memorial Bridge as a part of the tough observe format.
Borchetta mentioned he spent the final a number of weeks reviewing the 2024 plans for the IndyCar race and decided the occasion needed to be moved to Nashville Superspeedway. IndyCar ran eight instances on the superspeedway, with Scott Dixon profitable the ultimate three races from 2006 to 2008.
Development on the Titans’ new stadium is anticipated to start on the finish of March.
“With a number of key areas across the stadium not obtainable as in years previous, and with the proposed course change to run by way of the streets of downtown Nashville, we merely do not have the right area wanted by the race groups nor the right entry for downtown companies and residences to execute the world-class occasion that’s anticipated by our superb followers, IndyCar groups and sponsors,” Borchetta mentioned.
Borchetta mentioned the race organizers have maintained their relationship with the Titans, and he praised the assist of town of Nashville and new mayor Freddie O’Connell.
“We totally intend to proceed conversations with them and town of Nashville as to when the correct time will likely be to return to the streets of Nashville,” Borchetta mentioned. “The mayor is an actual fan of the Huge Machine Music Metropolis Grand Prix and has attended the race yearly. He and his crew have helped us tackle all angles in how finest to proceed, and we really feel that we have landed on the best choice for an important race expertise, for each followers and race groups.”
Nashville Superspeedway is owned by Speedway Motorsports and is a 1.33-mile D-shaped oval. It is going to be the primary oval since California Speedway in 2014 to determine the IndyCar championship.
“Nashville Superspeedway is ideally suited to our extremely aggressive and intensely intense type of racing,” mentioned Penske Leisure President & CEO Mark Miles. “Our followers will eagerly anticipate watching a championship be selected a high-speed oval. Scott and his crew will do a terrific job organizing our finale weekend, and I am extremely appreciative of their efforts to pivot and discover a becoming venue for our followers, drivers and groups.”
Dixon mentioned followers ought to nonetheless count on an incredible present regardless of the change of venue.
“I’ve some fond recollections of Nashville Superspeedway. The racing was at all times intense and technique was at all times key,” Dixon mentioned. “Add the truth that it is now internet hosting the season finale and I’ve little doubt it can make for a incredible present. Whereas we’ll miss being on the streets of Nashville in 2024, I look ahead to returning to a spot that has been particular to my profession.”