Those of us who live in Michigan know the roads are terrible. We drive on them every day and they tear up our cars on a regular basis.

Now, after the embarrassing spectacle that forced a long delay in Sunday's Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, the whole world knows our roads are terrible. And it's quite frankly a joke that more attention wasn't paid to making sure a debacle like this didn't happen in the first place.

It is a rare misstep for Roger Penske, who helped bring this race back to Michigan after a multi-year gap without one, the event was marred in a way that is rarely seen in motorsports. Instead of a triumphant return of Indycar to the Motor City, those who tuned in were shaking their heads as track workers pulled up large chunks of the track that were crumbling and wrecking racecars.

Surveying the Internet after the race, it was clear what the attitude was around the country after watching the Belle Isle race (or what they could before it was moved to ESPNews due to the long delay) -- why the hell are we racing in Detroit? That race was an joke.

Even putting aside the dangerous and falling-apart roads, the race was hardly a thriller. Temporary street circuits like this are rarely thrill rides, and in the time leading up to the red flag, little passing of note was to be seen on the track.

The Grand Prix should be returning next year. Penske said they will work to ensure the track conditions are much better for the race next year, and after this year's debacle it won't be hard to improve on what the fans saw.

But it's too bad this past weekend wasn't more triumphant for the Indycar series.

I grew up in an era when open-wheel races were a regular occurrence downtown. Even miles away from downtown the drone of Indycar or Formula 1 cars spread through the air and through neighborhoods all around Detroit and the suburbs. Many of those races were exciting, but this past weekend's event will soon be forgotten by just about everyone, as many privately and publicly wonder whether the city deserves another shot.

I say the city does deserve another chance, but Penske is going to have to do everything in his power to make sure we can get a decent race in next year and not a repeat of this nonsense. Step one is to make sure the track is safe to drive on and not falling apart (maybe scheduling fewer series would help the deterioration issue too). And step two, if at all possible, is to make the race more competitive. Honestly, so many races of this type are parades in Indycar and I understand why the fan base has dwindled so much. They need to step up the action somehow -- perhaps finding an alternate location to race if necessary and rethinking the course.

Because if this happens again next year, I don't think anyone will want Detroit to host a race into the years ahead, and that would be a shame since the city needs marquee events like this to get it back on its feet and inspire tourism.


Become a fan of the Facebook page NASCARBeyond

Follow Matt Myftiu on Twitter @MattMyftiu