Drivers split over Nashville future

The 1.3-mile concrete tri-oval is rumoured to be one of the circuits that could be dropped for 2009 as the series moves away from ovals in favour of more road and street courses, in spite of the fact that Bridgestone Firestone, the series' tyre supplier, is based in Nashville and the race typically draws well.

The track's bumpy concrete surface isn't one of the favourites among drivers, however.

"The concrete is very abrasive and hard on tyres, so you end up with a lot of marbles out there," said Tony Kanaan. "You can't run two lines. It is what it is. When we have difficulty with something, we have a tendency to not like it, but I can tell you that right now I'm not having fun here at all."

IRL officials have neither confirmed nor denied that Nashville might be dropped, but the 2009 schedule is expected to be released next month. Street courses like Long Beach, Surfers Paradise and Toronto are expected to join next year's calendar.

"It's always tough to lose tracks where you've done well before," said Scott Dixon, who has won the last two races at Nashville and finished second in 2003. "It's been a great place for me. They always have a good crowd here, and night racing when everybody comes out is fantastic. The schedules aren't part of my deal."

Danica Patrick also said she hopes the series returns to the track next year.

"I'll miss any of the ovals, and it looks like a couple of them will be going away," Patrick said. "I enjoy them. I think it's fun racing. I want our fans to be able to follow us, and we started off as all oval racing. I just want the fans to stay involved and stay excited. The racing on ovals is always really interesting."

Nashville's concrete surface and its bumps, ridges and seams are the most common point of contention among drivers, who insist that an asphalt surface would allow them to run two-wide instead of the one-lane parade that Nashville races often become.

"Maybe if they resurfaced (it would be better)," Castroneves said. "Concrete is very difficult to get grip. You get a lot of marbles from the tyre wear, which makes for one-groove racing. Once you get off that line, it's like driving on ice."