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WATKINS GLEN, New York -- It wasnt by design, but a true wild card has popped up late in the 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series championship.The cancellation of a proposed Labor Day weekend street race in Boston resulted in the last-minute substitution of Watkins Glen International for a fast-paced road race at a track the IndyCar Series hasnt visited since 2010.With only nine prior races, The Glen isnt steeped in IndyCar history. But its one of Americas most famous and significant road courses and the Boston cancellation created the opportunity for a reunion that just about everyone in the series is looking forward to.These cars belong on tracks like this, said three-time IndyCar champion Bobby Rahal. You can really see what they can do and it separates the best drivers from the rest.Nobody is going around here with one hand on the wheel, I can tell you that.If The Glen was an oval track, it would be a superspeedway. Nearly three and a half miles in length, it links a series of long straights with just eleven corners, all of which require an average speed of 100 mph or more.Combine a recent full repave with a newer generation of Indy cars featuring high-downforce aero kits, and the product is a comprehensive rewrite of the record book.Scott Dixon ran a 1:23.892 second lap in the opening practice session Friday in his Ganassi Racing Chevrolet that was more than four seconds faster than Ryan Briscoes 2010 track record of 1:28.13.Dixons lap works out to an average speed of 144.614 mph, making it the fastest road course in the IndyCar Series this year. Dixon averaged a little more than 142 mph for his best lap in June at Road America.If Dixon or any of the other drivers can find a little more speed over the next 48 hours, Watkins Glen could officially take over from Road America as the fastest road course in IndyCar racing history. Dario Franchittis pole lap at Road America in 2000 corresponds to a 145.924 mph average.Franchitti, now retired from driving, shares Rahals belief that Indy cars belong on wide-open natural terrain road courses like The Glen.Outside of Indianapolis, this is the natural habitat for Indy cars, Franchitti said. Theyre so fast and its just stunning at a place like this.This place was even fun for me in a stock car, so thats saying something!With three career wins at Watkins Glen, Dixon enters the weekend as a strong favorite to score his second win of the season. But the New Zealander is a distant sixth in the IndyCar standings and the focus this weekend is more on the championship battle between Penske Racing teammates Simon Pagenaud and Will Power.Pagenaud leads 2014 IndyCar Series champion (and 2010 Watkins Glen winner) Power by 28 points with two races remaining, including the double-points finale at Sonoma Raceway. Seven other drivers remain mathematically eligible for the title, but they are all remote long shots.By winning four races each this year, Pagenaud and Power have separated themselves from the field and the ace road racers are likely to fight for the title at the front of the pack.But Pagenaud must be wary because the driver who has led the standings with two races remaining failed to finish the job in six of the past nine years. Powers come-from-behind charge to the title in 2014 was one of the exceptions.Although Pagenauds 28-point cushion is the smallest it has been since May, the Frenchman is not concerned.Were just going to keep doing what we have been doing, he said. Were going to keep focusing on ourselves and extract the best out of the situation. I think our team has done the best job all season, and if I drive the best I can, it should take care of itself.IndyCar ran at Watkins Glen from 2005 to 2010 but the series and the track were unable to find a mutually agreeable date and attendance was generally poor.Since then, natural terrain road courses like Road America, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and Barber Motorsports Park have enjoyed steady growth in their spectator count. Advance response to this years return has been positive, prompting WGI president Michael Printup to already line up a two-year extension with IndyCar through 2018 on the Labor Day weekend.Elkhart [Road America] and Mid-Ohio were tremendous and there was lots of interest at Watkins Glen when we tested there, observed legendary team owner Roger Penske. At the NASCAR race there was a lot of talk about the Indy cars coming back to The Glen and its great to be back. Air Jordan 19 For Sale . A forerunning sled crashed into the worker Thursday at the Sanki Sliding Center. The unidentified worker broke both legs and was airlifted to a nearby hospital. Discount Air Jordan . There are surprises among the Vezina candidates, but most of the others are standard top-tier performers, even if the two Hart Trophy runners-ups have never been quite as good as they have been through the first half of the season. https://www.wholesalejordanshoeschina.com/ .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. Air Jordan Sale . Both players have lower body injuries that will keep them out of the lineup until at least January 31, which is the first game they can be activated from IR. Air Jordan Outlet .5 million, one-year contract on Friday. Hawkins, who turns 41 in December, will compete with Rex Brothers for the closers role at spring training. (STATS) -- Rich Skrosky resigned Tuesday after three seasons as Elon coach to join Butch Davis staff at FIU.Skrosky was 7-27 in three seasons while leading Elons transition into CAA Football, where the Phoenix were 4-20 in conference games.This was an unexpected development, athletic director Dave Blank said. Rich was offered an opportuunity that will best allow him to pursue his career goals.ddddddddddddBlank said Elon will begin a national search for a new coach immediately.Davis was named the fourth head coach in FIU history on Nov. 15. ' ' '