Abundance of critters greets IndyCar in Louisiana

AVONDALE, La. – The narrow two-lane road leading to NOLA Motorsports Park does not make a good first impression. Nor does the 10-foot alligator resting at the paddock's far end.

The snake said to be roaming around the media center doesn't win friends either. But it's not all bad.

"We captured and relocated the feral hogs," track president Kristen Engeron said Friday.

Jokes aside, there was much to celebrate Friday as IndyCar made its inaugural foray into the converted swamp south of New Orleans. IndyCar is here, drivers ripping off laps that look as quick as they are, and Sunday's race figures to show well, particularly on television.

It starts with Engeron, who is less than two years on the job. She has the "IndyCar bug" as she calls it and refuses to accept any hurdle this new event has thrown her way. She bounces through a mid-afternoon discussion with energy.

Engeron was married in the 32,000-square-foot events center overlooking Turn 13. Her 1-year-old son was entertained at the weekend's carnival-ride Family Fun Zone. She can't wait to attend her first Indianapolis 500 next month.

Sure, there are issues. It rained so hard Friday afternoon that Lake Cataouatche crept a bit closer, and the weekend forecast calls for more precipitation. There still is no on-site public parking, and the first-class race control building at pit exit blocks the grandstand view of one IndyCar's best passing zones.

But give Engeron time.

"I've said it many times, but I want this to be 'Indy South' for IndyCar," she said, beaming. "That might be a high bar, but that's what I want this to become."

She spoke of creating a connection between Indianapolis and New Orleans similar to the one LSU's baseball followers have developed with Omaha, Neb., through regular visits to the College World Series. She wants Hoosiers to understand the makeable 12-hour drive will be rewarded with a near complete view of the paper clip-shaped 13-turn, 2.74-mile permanent road course that's one of the fastest in IndyCar.

Ryan Hunter-Reay experienced a straightaway speed of 176 mph in the dry practice held Friday afternoon.

To hear IndyCar officials tell it, the transformation of NOLA Motorsports Park over even the past month has been remarkable. Built in 2012 as a club track for the rich, it lacked much of the infrastructure necessary for hosting a major public event. But it's come together.

Still, there is a story here that borders on comical.

Like when cows from neighboring properties recently found entrances, creating a mess in the same Turn 5-6-7 section where several drivers spun off course Friday. Before the gravel traps went in, the hooves of the cows sunk in the soft ground.

"Divots four inches deep," Engeron said. "We're below sea level after all."

Two miles from Turn 5 is one of the area's best levee systems, necessary to keep the lake from encroaching. Swamps abound, which means the gator and his snake friend are simply home as visitors approach.

This is a 750-acre park that's still being developed. The go-kart and IndyCar tracks are in place, and that's a good start.

Engeron expected traffic flow to be the event's "Achilles heel," but she insisted New Orleans is a market accustomed to using shuttles to attend jazz festivals. The French Quarter is 14 miles to the northeast.

Ordinarily, 300,000-plus spend this second weekend of April enjoying the French Quarter Festival, and they will do so again as the community's second-largest event of the year. Engeron isn't sure if that's a plus or a minus for the Indy Grand Prix of Louisiana; she should know after Sunday's race (3:30 p.m., NBCSN).

Regardless, she'll be back for more. So will this track and its swamp friends.

Follow Star reporter Curt Cavin on Twitter: @curtcavin.