SUNRISE OVER THE IRL; Indy's oval boys go to Japan and talk about taking the series to the next level.(Motorsports)

Byline: CURT CAVIN

Veteran race team owner Ron Hemelgarn groused as he considered the Indy Racing League returning to Japan for races in each of the next two seasons, per the contract league president Tony George signed with officials from the Twin Ring Motegi circuit last year.

``I [personally] won't be back, but next year if they have a straw vote over who wants to come from my team, there might not be any straws left,'' he said. ``I could see [this race] as an expo at the end of the season, but to come before Indy [again], man, that's risky.''

In terms of the demolition derby seen last weekend, Hemelgarn, who has been in Indy Car racing since 1984, might be right. The IRL's inaugural race, the Indy Japan 300, saw eight accidents among 12 drivers, and Phoenix race winner Tony Kanaan suffered a radial fracture of his left forearm. His status for next month's Indianapolis 500 is in question. Helio Castroneves, Scott Dixon and Jaques Lazier all left Motegi in various degrees of pain, though each should answer the opening bell at the Speedway on May 5.

Despite this carnage, most people in the IRL would admit the first try at Motegi was a success. For starters, the pre-trip organization of men and machine went smoothly, and everyone and everything arrived in plenty of time. ``It went as well or better than any trip we ever made with CART,'' said one Andretti Green Racing crew member.

As for the Motegi facility, well, the IRL learned what CART has known since it began racing here in 1998: This is the most sophisticated and best laid-out racing venue in the world. Any series would do well to have such a host.

It is difficult, too, to imagine a place where the IRL could be better welcomed. Honda, the track builder and owner, clearly made the effort with an Indy 500 display, including four winning cars on loan from the Speedway, in its sparkling collection hall located a few blocks past the first-turn wall. Also, the estimated 40,000 fans who came to the Sunday race embraced the series, buying hats and shirts without worrying that they didn't bear the signature of Dale Jr.