Phoenix eyes IndyCar event

Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, Ariz., would welcome IndyCar back, but the track president doesn’t believe those who run the series have much interest in a return.

Bryan Sperber said he has been clear with IndyCar on how the financial arrangement would have to be structured for open-wheel racing to run again at the popular oval.

“So really, the ball is in their court,” Sperber said. “Hopefully the interest in Phoenix International Raceway becomes sufficient enough that they would like to pursue that opportunity. But up to now that doesn’t look like that’s in the cards.”

PIR was the host of IndyCar races from 1996 through 2005, and USAC and CART ran at the track from 1964 to 1995. IndyCar has six ovals on the 2014 schedule, which includes 18 events between March and August.

With waning attendance at most IndyCar oval events, and the eight-year absence of openwheel racing at PIR, it would take time to rebuild the fan base.

Sperber would have to spend close to $1 million to market an IndyCar return. With no guarantee of a formidable crowd, he also can’t afford to pay IndyCar’s current asking price on a sanctioning fee believed to be about $1.5 million a race.

Formula One

Former world champion Kimi Raikkonen will have back surgery and miss the final two races of the Formula One season. Lotus said in a statement that Raikkonen will skip next week’s United States Grand Prix and the seasonending Brazilian event at the end of this month. The team has not said who will race in his place.

Raikkonen, 34, has had back pain in recent months and almost missed the Singapore GP in September when the problem flared again.

Raikkonen’s Lotus career, in effect, is over. He will drive for Ferrari next year.