It controls six major tracks, and has racing dates to fill. The IRL needs places to race, and has found them at SMI tracks, where it conducts five of its 11 events. They remain committed to one another. And Tony George, who started the IRL in 1996, says it will continue racing. I think everyone associated with it understands that as hard as we try to be prudent and take necessary steps to protect the spectators and the competitors alike, every unforeseeable instance and circumstance is not within our control.
Promoters can control is their commitment to fan safety, however.
One of the most visible examples is the catch fencing that encircles each track. Michigan responded to the fatal accident last year by increasing the height of its fences, and created more of a canopy at the top. Indianapolis also has raised its fences and increased overhangs set at a 45-degree angle. Still, there are no guarantees. We have this 40-year record of absolute fan safety, and we've spent a lot of time on it.