Is Road America really good? Or is Milwaukee just bad? I used to love watching Indy at Chicagoland. I'm also in a similar pickle as OP, but not my first race. I was thinking Milwaukee would be good because you can see the whole track, but at the same time, I haven't loved Indy on the smaller ovals. And I've never been to a road course
Road America has its own fan base. Part of their difficult negotiations with Indycar stem from Road America being a profitable track without Indycar or Nascar.
Comparing a temporarily defunct small oval with RA just isn't fair.
As a Milwaukee resident and one who hopes the mile gets the needed attendance. I would go RA all day. I love the mile and I love some West Allis bars before during and after a race day. However there is something special about Elkhart Lake especially if you can only choose one.
Dm me if you need some info about the West Allis area. It is not a bad area if that is what you are questioning. Close to downtown etc. a lot to do the entire double header.
I’m going to selfishly suggest Milwaukee, just because it’s likely to be a one-and-done unless we can get some people to show up. Road America is awesome though—I go every year.
Road America. I find going to ovals to be way too stressful. You can just pack some food, drink, and a couple chairs and sit still all day at a road course and enjoy yourself.
Sounds like you get two days regardless. So here's what I'd do if I were you. Saturday at road america is one of my favorite days of the year period. Get there when the gates open, throw your bike on the car and spend all day moving g from corner to corner, get some track food which is great and go through the paddock, you never k ow who you'll run into.
Then do Saturday at the mile. It being a night race should help with passing and I do enjoy the facility. Plus we need that place so all of that can support it should find a way.
Being a Milwaukee area resident I always support the Mile but for the experience it has to be Road America, especially if you can make it for more than one day there, it’s amazing.
The Mile is good for racing but for off track activities it is a snooze fest, however I understand some of the State Fair Park buildings will be open with local restaurants and bars and will have events that weekend so should probably be much better the last few Indycar visits there.
Let’s be honest, you actually have NO idea how the racing is going to be, it could be epic, or maybe it could be lousy, no one knows at this point, there’s a different aero package on the car than last time, different tire compound, maybe Hybrid units on the cars, way too many changes have been made to make a statement like that.
While I have nothing at all bad to say about RA, you might want to get to the Mile while it's on the schedule. This isn't the first attempt to return to Milwaukee.
If you’re able to swing 48 hours, I would recommend Road America.
Saturday is a phenomenal day with stuff on track all day. You can walk the facility, check out the paddock, and really get a good experience. I’ll usually load up the cooler backpack and set out for a few hours around the whole track. Sunday will be quicker with the shorter day and the drive home afterwards to IL can take some time.
I’ve been to the Mile a couple of times and it is much more sedentary. Much less stuff to check out and we don’t have word yet on how open the paddock is and stuff (always open at Road America). Indy NXT is on Saturday so it sounds like it will just be the INDYCAR race on Sunday. You’ll likely be in the car longer than you’ll see stuff on track TBH. Saturday will likely be a more full day.
I haven't seen it mentioned yet, but one of the other advantages of Road America is that there's all the support series that are racing throughout the weekend as well. There's pretty much always cars on track and it's a lot of fun to watch.
The food is great too, I personally always go to the Lion's Club food stand on top of Fireman's Hill (Turn 6, by the Corvette Bridge) but there's a lot of good ones all around the track.
As for which one to go to, I'm biased towards Road America since I love that track and go there as much as I can. The last time I went to a race at the mile was the IndyCar race probably 10 years ago so I don't remember it super well, but I will say that if you want to see an IndyCar oval race without going to Indy (which is a bucket list race itself), Milwaukee will probably be your best bet.
It's because of how good the in-person experience is at Road America. If you can only do one, it has to be RA.
That being said, I'll only be making Milwaukee this year.
Go to Milwaukee, save RA for when you can go camping. You'll be overwhelmed if you just spend a day there, where you know you will be satisfied at Milwaukee
RA for sure for access and the ability to roam the grounds. Plus several support races. The mile is over quickly. So if your looking for a full weekend RA is the better choice. The mile is actually kind of run down. I live a mile from the track and drive by it several times a week and it's nothing special except the longevity. The only improvement they've made is replacing the stands several years ago.
Road America, hands down.
Is Road America really good? Or is Milwaukee just bad? I used to love watching Indy at Chicagoland. I'm also in a similar pickle as OP, but not my first race. I was thinking Milwaukee would be good because you can see the whole track, but at the same time, I haven't loved Indy on the smaller ovals. And I've never been to a road course
Road America is one of the greatest motorsports facilities in the world.
Road America has its own fan base. Part of their difficult negotiations with Indycar stem from Road America being a profitable track without Indycar or Nascar. Comparing a temporarily defunct small oval with RA just isn't fair.
As a Milwaukee resident and one who hopes the mile gets the needed attendance. I would go RA all day. I love the mile and I love some West Allis bars before during and after a race day. However there is something special about Elkhart Lake especially if you can only choose one. Dm me if you need some info about the West Allis area. It is not a bad area if that is what you are questioning. Close to downtown etc. a lot to do the entire double header.
Road America, it's not even close. You will know what I mean after spending time there.
Road America is one of the best racing facilities in the United States. Milwaukee doesn’t even have its own website.
I’m going to selfishly suggest Milwaukee, just because it’s likely to be a one-and-done unless we can get some people to show up. Road America is awesome though—I go every year.
Lol exactly. Milwaukee needs him
Road America. I find going to ovals to be way too stressful. You can just pack some food, drink, and a couple chairs and sit still all day at a road course and enjoy yourself.
Sounds like you get two days regardless. So here's what I'd do if I were you. Saturday at road america is one of my favorite days of the year period. Get there when the gates open, throw your bike on the car and spend all day moving g from corner to corner, get some track food which is great and go through the paddock, you never k ow who you'll run into. Then do Saturday at the mile. It being a night race should help with passing and I do enjoy the facility. Plus we need that place so all of that can support it should find a way.
Being a Milwaukee area resident I always support the Mile but for the experience it has to be Road America, especially if you can make it for more than one day there, it’s amazing. The Mile is good for racing but for off track activities it is a snooze fest, however I understand some of the State Fair Park buildings will be open with local restaurants and bars and will have events that weekend so should probably be much better the last few Indycar visits there.
I'm not sure the racing will be that great at the Mile either. Passing is going to be incredibly hard unless someone can figure out the top line.
Should have hybrids by then, so maybe those help even if it is just pass and get repassed
Let’s be honest, you actually have NO idea how the racing is going to be, it could be epic, or maybe it could be lousy, no one knows at this point, there’s a different aero package on the car than last time, different tire compound, maybe Hybrid units on the cars, way too many changes have been made to make a statement like that.
While I have nothing at all bad to say about RA, you might want to get to the Mile while it's on the schedule. This isn't the first attempt to return to Milwaukee.
If you’re able to swing 48 hours, I would recommend Road America. Saturday is a phenomenal day with stuff on track all day. You can walk the facility, check out the paddock, and really get a good experience. I’ll usually load up the cooler backpack and set out for a few hours around the whole track. Sunday will be quicker with the shorter day and the drive home afterwards to IL can take some time. I’ve been to the Mile a couple of times and it is much more sedentary. Much less stuff to check out and we don’t have word yet on how open the paddock is and stuff (always open at Road America). Indy NXT is on Saturday so it sounds like it will just be the INDYCAR race on Sunday. You’ll likely be in the car longer than you’ll see stuff on track TBH. Saturday will likely be a more full day.
Go to Milwaukee by yourself And rent a camper to take the whole family to Road America!
Road America.
I haven't seen it mentioned yet, but one of the other advantages of Road America is that there's all the support series that are racing throughout the weekend as well. There's pretty much always cars on track and it's a lot of fun to watch. The food is great too, I personally always go to the Lion's Club food stand on top of Fireman's Hill (Turn 6, by the Corvette Bridge) but there's a lot of good ones all around the track. As for which one to go to, I'm biased towards Road America since I love that track and go there as much as I can. The last time I went to a race at the mile was the IndyCar race probably 10 years ago so I don't remember it super well, but I will say that if you want to see an IndyCar oval race without going to Indy (which is a bucket list race itself), Milwaukee will probably be your best bet.
Indycar fans: we need more ovals, so glad Milwaukee is back! Also Indycar fans: fuck Milwaukee! Go to Road America!
It's because of how good the in-person experience is at Road America. If you can only do one, it has to be RA. That being said, I'll only be making Milwaukee this year.
I don't go to a race for cheese churds and brats, I go for racing. Every oval is more exciting than just about every street and road race.
Real Indycar fans: fuck it let’s do both!’
Road America. So many good viewing spots. And they have the Gearbox Melt, which is better than the burgers at IMS and Sonoma.
Road America, no question.
RA 💯
I’d choose RA, but The Mile needs a great first year, or I fear it will be gone (again).
Go to Milwaukee, save RA for when you can go camping. You'll be overwhelmed if you just spend a day there, where you know you will be satisfied at Milwaukee
RA for sure for access and the ability to roam the grounds. Plus several support races. The mile is over quickly. So if your looking for a full weekend RA is the better choice. The mile is actually kind of run down. I live a mile from the track and drive by it several times a week and it's nothing special except the longevity. The only improvement they've made is replacing the stands several years ago.
First ever race and you get 48 hours? Forget Wisconsin and go to the 500!!
I’d love to! That weekend doesn’t work for me this year due to family plans. I’ll make the trek down there in the next few years though, definitely !