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IndyCars Return Weekend After Indy 500 To Milwaukee Mile
MILWAUKEE, WI (August 10, 2006) – Accompanied by Indy Racing League
officials, The Milwaukee Mile today announced that the IRL IndyCar Series will
return next year to The Milwaukee Mile on its traditional Sunday date, one
week after the Indianapolis 500.
The ABC Supply/A.J. Foyt Indy 225 IRL IndyCar Series event at ‘America’s
Legendary Oval’ will move to June 3, 2007, one week after the 91st
Indianapolis 500, resurrecting a tradition that began in 1947. Moreover,
the race will be televised live nationally by the ABC/ESPN family of networks,
with an anticipated 2:30 p.m. start time.
“We are excited for our loyal fans to be able to bring the stars of the
Indianapolis 500 back to The Milwaukee Mile the first weekend in June,”
stated Andy Randall, Milwaukee Mile President and CEO. “We are proud
to continue this strong racing tradition, and we begin building toward an
exciting June 2-3, 2007 event weekend starting today.”
The IndyCar Series has competed at The Mile in the month of July the last
three summers, dating back to 2004.
“The Milwaukee Mile and Indy-style racing have had a long and storied
history,” IRL President and COO Brian Barnhart said. “For the last three
years, we’ve been able to showcase our sport to the race fans in Wisconsin,
and now we can complete the circle by reuniting the cars and drivers of the
Indianapolis 500 with the traditional post-Indianapolis 500 date in
Milwaukee.”
In the 48 occasions of the Indianapolis 500 and the IndyCar race at The Mile
the following weekend, eight drivers have been able to win both races:
1956 – Pat Flaherty; 1964 – A.J. Foyt; 1971 – Al Unser; 1974 – Johnny
Rutherford; 1982 – Gordon Johncock; 1983 – Tom Sneva; 1988 - Rick Mears;
and 1994 – Al Unser, Jr.
Adding to the historical significance of the event is that driving legend A.J.
Foyt has granted permission to use his name in the race title, and his team
sponsor ABC Supply Co., Inc. of Beloit is the event entitlement sponsor.
Foyt won a total of 10 major races at The Milwaukee Mile, including four
IndyCar events.
“I think it’s a good move. I’m glad they’re going back to the
old date because it was very popular with the fans and the racers,” Foyt
said. I always enjoyed going to Milwaukee right after Indy because it
was fun. Indy puts a lot of stress on you but Milwaukee was always a
good time – you’re more relaxed. I’m a little less relaxed now
because it is such a big event for our team with it being the home track for
ABC Supply, which also sponsors the race.”
The Sunday, June 3, 2007 IndyCar race will mark the third consecutive event at
The Milwaukee Mile with the involvement of ABC Supply Co., Inc., the largest
wholesale distributor of roofing and siding materials, tools and supplies in
the United States. The company’s headquarters is located just 70 miles
west and south of The Mile in Beloit, Wisconsin.
“We are very pleased that The Milwaukee Mile is returning to its roots with
the traditional IndyCar race date immediately following the Indy 500,”
commented David Luck, ABC Supply President and COO. “Next year is our
25th anniversary as a company and A.J.’s 50th year at Indy, so we all have a
lot to celebrate. We look forward to carrying the momentum from this
historic Indy 500 back home to Wisconsin and celebrating the rich history and
tradition of our company, A.J. Foyt, and The Milwaukee Mile.”
The Milwaukee Mile is America’s oldest active speedway, with motorized
racing events dating back to 1903. Many of the drivers that competed in
the very first Indianapolis 500 in 1911 - and virtually every Indy 500 since -
have competed in racing events at The Milwaukee Mile.
Joining the IRL IndyCar Series once again will be the Indy Pro Series the
weekend of June 2-3, 2007.
Further announcements regarding the 2007 Milwaukee Mile season schedule will
be made in the near future.
For complete details on The Milwaukee Mile, visit www.milwaukeemile.com.
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