The only reason it was done was because the Brickyard needed the money. Never mind the quality of the on-track product. At the same time, a Grand-Am race was added (but hasn't been held since the merger). The Truck race was also cut, but Eldora is in this week now.
I bet, probably not because of the history of track, but within the next few years, they will take Indy off of the schedule, because track attendance is abysmal.