Ideal Season Finale Venues?

I've thought about this a few time before, and decided to see what others on EFR would think; if you could decide where the final race of the [insert auto racing championship here] season would be held, where would you bring the series?

Taking into account racing product, history, and the difficulty of a circuit, I would imagine that many racing venues would be appropriate for several racing series. (Logistics, sanctioning body regulations, and winter weather don't have to be taken into account if you don't want, either. ) Responses can be imaginative and completely illogical!)

Here are some of my ideas:


NASCAR
Bristol Motor Speedway - Bristol, TN, USA
Bristol has always been a fan favorite, and has become famous for its close racing and "rubbin's racin'", temper-flaring action. Perhaps the track isn't quite the same as it was before 2007, but racing aside, I personally think that the filled-to-capacity (well, not quite nowadays) coliseum atmosphere mixed with some high-speed short track racing, all under the lights, produces a fantastic setting to crown a champion under following a grueling, 500-lap finale.

Rockingham Speedway - Rockingham, NC, USA
I've always considered this track to be one of the best oval circuits for stock cars. The challenging layout has produced some of the best racing in NASCAR, and the track, of course, is located in NASCAR's home state. Rockingham has hosted many races very late in the season, anyway (perhaps it actually has hosted some finales and I am simply unaware of the fact). I am wholly aware of the track's recent struggles and the location in relation to other tracks, etc. But if it were feasible than I would love to watch seasons come to their closes at "the Rock".

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IndyCar
Auto Club Speedway - Fontana, CA, USA
Obviously, this is already in place, but I agree with IndyCar's idea of having the final 500-miler Triple Crown race be the race that also ends the season. The race has proven to be rather entertaining, and, of course, the track is located not far from the former location of the California 500's original host venue; the Ontario Motor Speedway.

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Indy Lights
Auto Club Speedway - Fontana, CA, USA
Support race for the Verizon IndyCar Series. Not much else to say other than Indy Lights produces fantastic racing on ovals.

Milwakee Mile - Milwaukee, WI, USA
Personally, Sonoma Raceway has simply never been a favorite circuit of mine, and if Indy Lights is going to end their season before Fontana, I would move it back one race earlier to the Milwaukee Mile; the world's oldest active racing venue, and a very historic Championship Car racing venue.

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TUDOR United SportsCar Championship
Road Atlanta - Braselton, GA, USA
Not much to say here, as this too, is already a reality. Petit Le Mans has traditionally been a season finale, and it is also the final event of the year in the North American Endurance Cup. I also personally approve of the recent decision to make the race a 10-hour event (as opposed to the "whichever comes first" format of either 10 hours or 1,000 miles). It makes it similar to the other three NAEC races, which are all measured by a duration of time in hours.

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Formula 1
Watkins Glen International - Watkins Glen, NY, USA
I know that it would be practically unfeasible with the FIA's current track specifications, and the fact that Watkins Glen hosted so many finale's in the past actually has little to do with it. I just think that the full layout of this circuit would produce a great race. Highly-dangerous, maybe... but great nonetheless!

Sebring International Raceway - Sebring, FL, USA
Again, I did not pick this just because it was the location of the first United States Grand Prix. I think that the current layout of Sebring is very good. It's fast, unique, and is technical without a lot of super-sharp or tight corners. I would like to know what kind of race more modern F1 cars could produce here.

Streets of Paris - Paris, France
This circuit is existent only in rFactor and NR2003, as far as I'm aware (again, realism aside). But it looks interesting and is in the home city of the FIA. I think that it's just fun to imagine. Here's a link to a video of a lap of the track on rFactor: Paris Street Circuit

I will have to disagree with you on Formula 1, mostly because because I got used to Interlagos closing the season, and the races there, especially rainy, are fantastic.

bsoyuz wrote:I will have to disagree with you on Formula 1, mostly because because I got used to Interlagos closing the season, and the races there, especially rainy, are fantastic.

Actually, Interlagos would probably be my next preferred track that I did not put in the post, and (obviously) it would be much more realistic than my other three suggestions. I agree that the races there are great.

F1-
1. Suzuka- Some of the best season finales were there
2. Interlargos- Almost like Suzuka's younger brother. I don't know why, but I consider Interlargos very similar to Suzuka, despite being a lot slower.
3. Abu Dhabi- Location, Location, Location. I don't care for the track, but it sure is nice looking around there.

NASCAR- I guess Homestead is ok... If they hadn't neutered Atlanta in the late 90's, then there.

Indycar-
1. Fontana- If they can get crowds then go for it
2. Laguna Seca- It provided some decent races
3. Chicagoland- That track was insane for the old Indycars. I doubt the DW12 would react like the old ones did, but it would be worth a shot.

f1fan12 wrote:F1-
NASCAR- I guess Homestead is ok... If they hadn't neutered Atlanta in the late 90's, then there.

You mean if they didn't race the COT on Atlanta! There were some great race at Atlanta post 97 (2000 Spring, 2001 Spring, 2005 Spring) but once the COT Came, it kinda ruined everything.


That being said, I like the concept of having a season finale and a glitzy flashy city such as Miami or even Las Vegas.

Give me the classics for NASCAR and F1, Atlanta (though at least Homestead has been a good replacement for old Atlanta), and Brazil

Though I'll throw a curve ball for Indy Car.  Pocono.  They want to end the season before the NFL season starts, and want to end it on a 500 miler?!?  I know they would want Indy to be the first 500 miler of the season, but if California is on the schedule for 500 miles, why not do it before Indy some time in April, or maybe even March, when it's still reasonable in concern to the weather, instead of in late August when the weather in California is just boiling inland even in the evening.  A late August in Pocono would seem rather nice.  I know that Long Beach is around that time too (the date I would consider), but I would consider it anyway