Future of Cleveland race still cloudy

Despite the improved turnout, which included an unspecified increase in corporate suite sales, Cleveland's future status on the Champ Car schedule is still not secure. Champ Car has co-promoted the Cleveland race since 2003 and the series' new owners are unlikely to keep the race if it does not prove profitable. "We're not anywhere close to being profitable yet," admitted Cleveland GP General Manager Rena Shanaman.

Champ Car CEO Dick Eidswick said he wants to work to ensure Cleveland remains a Champ Car mainstay. "The race is a tradition, and tradition is important in Champ Car," he told the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "We believe that the city of Cleveland deserves a race of this caliber, and we will continue to work with the business community to seek their support. If the Cleveland business community continues to be reluctant, we will need to reevaluate the performance of the race in terms of its financials. Our plans are to redouble our efforts with the business community to make sure this is a stepping stone for the next 25 years." National Speed Sport News