Roger Penske told the Detroit News that he is working to revive the city's Belle Isle IndyCar race as soon as next year. A Penske Corporation spokesman added that he saw prospects for a race at "50-50."
IndyCar races were held at the site from 1990-2001, then again in 2007 and '08. The IndyCar series stopped racing at Michigan International Speedway after 2007.
"I've told many people over the last couple of years that we're waiting for the right time," Penske said. "As we see, the economy is turning, certainly Detroit is in a much better shape and we've had conversations with some sponsors and people who are interested in bringing the race back and I would assume that if it's possible we'd like to bring it back next year."
Penske Corp.'s Bud Denker, who managed the event in its second incarnation in 2007-'08, added that he was working with his boss to bring it back.
"To have something for next year we'll have to know in the next month or so," Denker said. "We're still working on it. We'd love to bring it back to the city. The city needs this kind of event.
"I think we're 50-50 (for next year). We'll see. We want to bring it back. It's a good possibility of it coming back. It's a matter of having the right sponsors engaged. We're talking now and we'll talk during the next few weeks. I'd say we're hopeful."