BROOKLYN, Mich. — Roger Penske plans to bring open-wheel racing back to Belle Isle, and he’s hoping to get it on next year’s Indy Racing League schedule. Penske, sitting in a black leather chair in his motor coach before Sunday’s IRL Firestone Indy 400, said he has had informal discussions with Detroit officials.

“The first thing we have to do is put a proposal together to the city,” Penske said. “We have to talk to the mayor’s office, then we have to talk to the City Council.”

Although Penske hasn’t received any commitments, he has received positive feedback from the IRL about racing on Belle Isle. His next step is to find out if there’s interest from the city. And Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is open to the possibility and looks forward to discussing it with Penske, said mayoral spokesman James Canning.

“Hosting events that bring people throughout the region to our city is something we are hoping to continue, which is why I’m sure the mayor will entertain the proposal to see if it fits with our efforts to grow Detroit,” Canning said Sunday. “Mr. Penske has a very good relationship with Mr. Kilpatrick.”

Three months ago, Penske took Tony George, founder of the IRL, and Brian Barnhart, IRL president, on a tour of the venue.

“We came to Belle Isle, we drove around, and the course is there,” Penske said. “Needs a few nuances, but, really, overall, we could build a tremendous event there that could be long-standing for the city of Detroit. This would be the Detroit Grand Prix, not something else.

“I feel real good about it. I think we can have an answer, hopefully in the next, I hope, 30 to 60 days.”

Detroit Free Press