Milwaukee Mile's Future Now Looks Secure & Versus Announces Its First IndyCar Programming

We've continually reported on the story of an angry Milwaukee Mile promoter who wanted out; Well I hope we're doing our final follow-up in noting that the Milwaukee Mile/Wisconsin State Fair have announced today that a new racing promoter Wisconsin Motorsports LLC has been officially signed to a long term contract:

"The new promoter agreement ensures the near-term and long-term future of auto racing at America’s Legendary Oval. All purchased tickets for 2009 events at The Milwaukee Mile will be honored. 'We are committed to ensuring race fans that have been coming to The Mile for generations will continue to enjoy world-class and grass roots auto racing events in 2009 and beyond!' "

It is already great news to know that racing for this year and next has been secured but the best aspect of this announcement is that WM, LLC's new contract is for 10 years, with an option at the end of that for 30 more years!!! I think it is safe to say that racing at the nation's oldest race track for IndyCar, NASCAR, USAC and everyone else now seems quite secure, I think racers and fans can now collectively breath a sigh of relief.

Especially Vitor Meira... he's jumping for joy!

You know what else we're jumping for joy at? Versus has officially listed some of its pre-season ancillary IndyCar programing; so far we're looking at four one-hour shows each Saturday for the four weeks leading up to St. Petersburg:

March 7 - Danica Patrick Retrospective

March 14 - Top 10 Closest IndyCar Series Finishes

March 21 - IndyCar DNA: Crashes & Conflict

March 28 - IndyCar Series 2008 Year in Review


That would already be 4 more hours of preseason coverage ESPN has done (ever? I honestly never remember any pre-season stuff), and the first ancillary programming since the 2006 Andretti 3 pieces: