The IRL and Champ Car both have their 2007 schedules pretty much in place. While Champ Car moves further toward becoming an American-based "Grand Prix" series, with a slate full of street circuits and foreign venues, the IRL seems intent on copying the old CART schedule of the mid-1990s.

The addition of Belle Isle to the IRL's schedule is another blast from the past. There's also the possibility of Mid-Ohio coming into the fold for 2007. All we need is a season-ending race on the streets of Miami and the Meadowlands Grand Prix to return and voila, we're right back to where the old CART started.

One thing the IRL is doing with its schedule, and it's obviouslu due to its ABC/ESPN television partner's return to NASCAR broadcasting next year, is to move races off head-to-head battles with NEXTEL Cup. The Homestead opener and Kentucky to name two will shift to Saturday nights next year, which can't but help ratings.

Champ Car has added some interesting venues to its schedule, but the series is becoming more of a non-American circuit than ever. Six of the 15 races announced on the 2007 schedule will taker place on foreign soil with two more European dates pending. That's a tough sell for any American-based company, but Champ Car management must feel its business future is best served on a more global playing field.

One thing is for sure - the two circuits are further apart than ever and any reunification is remote.